Annual Report 08/09 - City of Whyalla - SA.Gov.au

Our year in reviewEnvironmental care“Our vision is for our natural and built environment to address theneeds of population and industry, but in an ecologically sustainable andaesthetically pleasing way”Development – facilitationA master planning exercise, inconjunction with the Departmentof Planning and Local Government,was undertaken to best facilitatedevelopment within the Whyalla CityCentre.Recognising a key role of the MountLaura Homestead Museum withinthe central part of the city was alsoa key part of planning. The locationof the proposed new library on themuseum site will fit well with a longtermstrategy for the developmentof the geographically central area ofthe city.Development – sustainableCouncil promotes sustainabledevelopment through administrationof the Development Act and BuildingCode, which contains a range ofrequirements to ensure that buildingsmeet prescribed energy efficiencyratings.Council has a separate set of rulesfor development at the LegendsEstate housing project where it hasmaintained a requirement for sevenstarenergy efficiency to ensure thatthis development “raises the bar”in respect to sustainable buildingoutcomes.A comprehensive dust managementstrategy was implemented inconjunction with the EnvironmentalProtection Authority and developersfor new housing areas on the westernboundary of the city to provide aresolution of nuisance dust problems.Development – unsuccessfulCouncil had previously sought torelocate the Westland United Soccerclub to free up land for the expansionof the Whyalla Caravan Park, theowners of which were looking toestablish a destination park andneeded additional land.A valuation of the site and cost of anew clubroom at an alternative sitewas obtained, but the total estimateto relocate the club was prohibitivelyhigh meaning that the project cannot proceed in its current form.ForeshoreThe Whyalla Foreshore Master Planis a multi-stage project which willextend over a number of years.During the past year work hasproceeded on a major works programcentred on the foreshore buildingand central pedestrian corridor.An initial contract was awardedto local company D & R Cavino forconstruction of stage one, with 50%that work now completed and theremainder scheduled by November/December 2009.The SA government advised that ithad approved the revocation of aparcel of community land which isearmarked for housing.A further grant was obtained toenable the next stage of works to beundertaken through 2009/2010 andinto the future. Major capital workis behind schedule, but it is hopedthat this can be completed prior tosummer 2009.Heritage adviceThrough a joint agreement with theUpper Spencer Gulf cities, Councilhas retained a heritage advisoryservice through Flightpath Architects.A heritage architect visits Whyallaat three-weekly intervals to assessdevelopment applications which mayhave an impact on buildings withheritage character, while providingadvice on Council building projects.The heritage advisor also providesadvice to members of the public.Sensitive areasConservation volunteers were usedextensively to undertake a variety ofworks in environmentally sensitiveareas. For example:• WHYALLA WETLANDS: Assisted inthe filling of sandbags with a sand,gravel and cement mix, andstacking them around water inletsand outlets to help prevent soilmovement during rains.• WHYALLA COASTLINE: Assisted inbeach clean-ups and collection ofdebris reported by naturalresources management volunteerswho regularly clean beaches orreport rubbish too heavy to handle.Items such as car parts, mattresses,timber, water heaters, tyres,bottles and wire were collected atthe Eight Mile Beach.• COASTLINE CAMP SITES &PARKING AREAS: Repaired campsite and parking area fences todesignate areas for public useand to assist in prevention ofdegeneration of vegetation andsand dunes.• MOUNT LAURA HERITAGERESERVE: Assisted in theplacement of signage as part of aheritage reserve agreement and ageneral clean-up of the areaincluding removal of rubbish andold fence wire and posts.32