Colonel Light Gardens needs special protection under new planning code, advocates say
Residents and opposition leader Peter Malinauskas – a Colonel Light Gardens boy – are worried the suburb could be ruined under proposed new planning laws.
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The state’s only heritage-listed suburb is at risk of being destroyed by urban infill under new planning rules, the opposition has warned.
Labor leader Peter Malinauskas – who grew up in Adelaide’s “garden suburb” – said Colonel Light Gardens had not yet been afforded proper protection under the new planning code.
Mr Malinauskas believes Colonel Light Gardens should be given a separate zone – referred to as overlays under the proposed rules – so it is treated differently when it comes to development.
Colonel Light Gardens was established as a “model garden suburb” in the 1910s and 20s, and administered by the State Government under the Garden Suburb Act until the 1970s, when Mitcham Council took over.
The entire suburb was afforded State Heritage listing in 2000.
“The government’s draft planning and design code doesn’t do anything to specify the unique nature of Colonel Light Gardens to ensure the character of the suburb is maintained,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“Without a codified, enforceable document that is legally binding, it’s hard for the community to have confidence that their standard of living will be maintained and the amenity of the suburb preserved.
“No one there is in the category of wanting to stop any ability for people to be able to extend their homes and do work, but there’s a genuine desire to make sure the model garden suburb is maintained.”
Colonel Light Gardens is a unique suburb with historic character.
— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) October 27, 2020
Tonight, with Nadia Clancy and @jaynestinson, we heard from local residents about their concerns of what the draft planning code will mean for their suburb. pic.twitter.com/l609Lb86kU
Labor has introduced legislation to specifically protect the character of the suburb.
Former Colonel Light Gardens Residents Association president Mick Symonds said protection that did not explicitly acknowledge the suburb’s history could leave development “at the whim of a committee”.
“It’s been going now for 100 years and we’ve maintained the suburb in its visual form, for there’s this wonderful protection at the moment but under the proposed plans, as far as I’m aware, those protections no longer exist,” Mr Symonds said.
He said his “biggest fear” was urban infill taking over the suburb.
Planning Minister Vickie Chapman said Mr Malinauskas was “inaccurate and fearmongering” and that “the regulations and policy for the protection and conservation of Colonel Light Gardens is stronger than ever before”.
Ms Chapman said the new code would strengthen heritage protection in general, but would also include guidelines specific to Colonel Light Gardens.
“Notably, this includes further authority for the Minister for Heritage to direct decisions, where at present he is currently only empowered to provide advice,” Ms Chapman said.
