Mitcham Plains Action Group

Council Elections are coming up very soon so it’s a good time to get to know the candidates.

A few things happening lately in our area :

Council Assessment Panel: Council held a “compromise” CAP meeting in August to again debate the proposed Hungry Jacks on Angas Road, despite its rejection in May. Unfortunately, the developers deep pockets enabled a consultant from URPS, another inadequate traffic report, a revised landscaping plan (with 3 extra crepe myrtles) and this was enough for CAP members to literally check boxes and approve the development. We can all look forward to even more traffic chaos at Angas and Goodwood. Congrats to residents for putting up a heartfelt fight to the end and Nadia Clancy MP for pushing Council to allow her to speak on residents behalf.

Angas Road: On the other end of Angas Road at Abbotshall (across from the library) there is currently three demolitions happening, all canopy was erased in one day, photos attached. This section of Hawthorn is looking a lot like a greenfield development in Mt Barker at present. I don’t even have words for it. 

Planning Minister: Nadia recently took the Planning Minister, Nick Champion, Chair of the State Planning Commission, Craig Holden, the Mayor, and the CEO of Mitcham Council on a “walking tour” of Westbourne Park to demonstrate the unique charm of our special “character suburb”. The group visited the development on Deepdene Avenue and a recent new build on Marlborough Road (I like to think of it as an alien ship landed amongst the bungalows). Tree loss, inappropriate development, lack of any form of demolition controls and loss of character were discussed at length.

ACTION: Now would be a fantastic time to write to the Planning Minister and let him know your thoughts on what is happening in our suburbs. He had a number of staff with him, including a Planning Advisor, who now have direct experience with our suburbs and the issues important to us. Some talking points to think about:

Loss of canopy: developers using limb drop and species as way to avoiding designing new builds around existing significant trees

Demolition Controls: new build guidelines are not adequately protecting the character of Hawthorn, Westbourne Park and Cumberland Park, we need some form of demolition control on pre war housing stock or we will no longer remain a “character suburb”.

Planning Outcomes: are not effective at producing infill that is in character with adjoining original housing stock.

Planning & Design Code: flaws in the code are creating a system whereby Council is literally checking boxes to approve inappropriate development against significant community opposition. 

Community Consultation: residents should have an opportunity to voice opposition to “compromise” development applications brought from the ERD Court to Council CAP meetings, residents should not have to rely on their local MP in order to be heard. 

Email the Planning Minister:  [email protected]

And the Minister for Local Government: [email protected]

Review: I have attached the Legislative Review Committee Report on Planning Reform if anyone is interested.

Cross Road: OurRoadsSA is looking for residents to join their committee if you or anyone you know along the Cross Road corridor is interested. 

Mitcham Historical Society is concerned at the rate of demolition in our character suburbs and is looking for new members passionate about this issue to join the committee – it does not require much time, only one meeting a month (in the research room at Scotch College beautiful!) and there is wine and cheese. 

Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested in either of these community groups. Thanks, Alicia.

Hi Neighbours,

Quick update on the Hungry Jacks proposal on Angas Road: the development application was deferred by the CAP which is a win for the residents of Angas Road! Lets hope that once the developer regroups with an updated proposal it will be rejected out right.

As you all know, we have been working on the Cross Road issue for many months now, meeting with interested parties, Government representatives, a public health and exposure scientist and we have learned that, in a nutshell:

• The SA Freight Council, Civil Contractors Federation, RAA and the State Government in their proposal to Infrastructure Australia have all referred to Cross Road (the “Outer Ring Route” by the govt.) to be upgraded to accommodate “high productivity vehicle” access (trucks)
• There is a push by some of these organisations to build Grade separations at intersections and rail crossings requiring major works. Road widening has also been suggested
• According to the RAA using State Government data, 5200 freight vehicles use the SE Expressway everyday (Advertiser 1 July 2021)
• When the North South Corridor is completed (estimated 2030) it is likely that 50% of the trucks currently using Portrush Road will transfer to Cross Road. This will have negative consequences for our ability as a community to navigate our own suburbs, on our health, amenity and the safety of those that live in or near the corridor

Our Cross Road committee has teamed up with the Mitcham Historical Society to put together a public information night on the future of Cross Road on Thursday 18th November at Scotch College Chapel from 7-9pm.

Please save the date and feel free to share the flyer!

We are looking for volunteers to letter box drop flyers and help out on the night, please contact me on my personal email [email protected] or call or text me on 0481 350 597 if you have some spare time to contribute.

Alicia

We need more trees to keep SA cool

Public consultation on the new Planning Code ends December 18th.

Plan SA is hosting info events on the new Code. Some MPAG members are planning to attend the Thebarton session Monday December 7th @ 6.30pm if anyone is interested in coming along, register at https://plan.sa.gov.au/have_your_say/events

You can now see what development policies affect you via this Planning Code website by typing your address into the online: https://train.sappa.plan.sa.gov.au

We’re calling for anyone who would like to work on a submission to be presented to Plan SA from our group.

If so, please let us know.

The meeting is to be held at Council Chambers on December 1st at 7pm in person.

Please come along to hear deputations plus what Council has to say in regards to our petition and more.