Community planning services in Glenelg Shire Council : 1998-2005 ...

82 Did the council have appropriate management arrangements for the delivery of its planning services?
“Steps need to be taken to adequately reflect SPPF [State Planning Policy
Framework] principles about the maintenance of ecological processes and
genetic diversity in terms of the conservation of flora and fauna”.
In December 1998, the then Minister for Planning approved the planning
scheme, notwithstanding several outstanding matters that council was to
address as part of its ongoing review. These outstanding matters included:
a review of the heritage provisions within the next 12 months and
development of a program to identify and protect all the shire’s heritage
assets
development of local policies to address native vegetation clearance and
timber production
an examination of factors that may influence the development of
residentially-zoned land.
In 2002, the council considered the findings of the panel report, as part of its
triennial municipal strategic statement review process. However, the council
did not address any of these outstanding matters 34 .
2003 Best Value review
The 2003 Best Value review recommended that council:
clarify the significance of certain overlay provisions contained in the
council’s planning scheme (in line with recommendations in the 1998 panel
report)
appoint a heritage adviser
incorporate its Community Engagement Strategy into the contract for the
provision of contracted planning services.
While the council did appoint a heritage adviser, it has not acted on the other
2 recommendations.
2004 Municipal Strategy Statement reviews
The first triennial review of the council’s strategic statement was undertaken
in 2002. The resulting amendment that proposed to update the strategic
statement has now lapsed (refer Case study 12, Amendment C4 below).
Following a review of its contracted planning services in late 2004, the council
set up a new process to review how it managed the planning scheme. In
January 2005, an experienced planning consultant and a graduate strategic
planner were engaged to assist the council with its strategy planning and
management of the scheme.
34 Stage 1 of a heritage study was completed in October 2002. A brief has been prepared for the final
stage and this is due for completion at the end of 2005.