Cr Yvonne Todd

Current news for SA councils is that we don’t know if the November election for local government will go ahead. The Acting Electoral Commission recommended a delay till next year, so we are waiting for a decision either way. Many of you know my plan was to step aside in November but will be happy to stay till early next year if needs be, because I consider it a privilege to be a Councillor.

At the request of a resident I have recently met staff and residents on site to look at easements in St Marys. These SA water easements which were creek beds were piped underground probably in the 1950s and covered with infill. This land above the pipes cannot be built on but we have been researching if the vacant blocks could be “greened” with local native plants instead of being bare earth poisoned four times a year. This idea of green easements is to create cooler corridors in the suburb and habitat for native insects, butterflies and animals. It complements the interest in green verges.

I joined in with St Marys pocket park volunteers to plant more natives in a pocket park on the corner of Mingbool Avenue and St Marys Street. This project has been running for several years and it is wonderful to see the established plants taking off. Was exciting to see some late caterpillars on the plants and so insect life is thriving.

Residents have recently reported asbestos in some soils in local parks and reserves. It is not considered a risk if the soil is not disturbed but it is important to report it to Council. Council keeps an asbestos register and records locations where asbestos has been found or previously removed. I encourage you to report to Council if you see asbestos in the soil in local parks. Staff will do site visits to confirm, so if you are not sure still report it.

Tree removal is a hot topic right now. I attended the LGA ordinary general meeting in May and was able to successfully move a Mitcham Council motion. The recommendation (summary) was to request that “the LGA initiate a comprehensive review of the compliance and enforcement provisions under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (PDI Act) and look to developing stronger deterrents.” This is needed because over recent years, Administration has observed an increase in tree removals commencing without the required development approval. Current legislative settings provide little to no deterrent for this illegal behaviour and legal action is a high cost for councils.

Please call or email me if you have issues to discuss. Sometimes talking through a council issue with me helps you to decide on your action plan.

This article may contain personal views or opinions held by individual Council Members, and may not necessarily represent the formal position of the Council