Lucindale Community Forum
Consultation has concluded
The Lucindale Community Forum was held on Tuesday 6th December 2016 at the Lucindale War Memorial Hall.
The public forum gave members of the community the opportunity to discuss topics, ask questions and also for council to discuss matters relating to the Lucindale area.
Topics covered by Council Officers were:
Strategic Plan
Budget and Annual Business Plan
Planning and Development
Waste Management
A copy of the presentation is available here
Photos used in the presentation can be viewed here
A summary of the questions and answers form the forum are available here and are listed below as follows:
Question - Can the Lucindale Waste Transfer Station be opened to receive green waste? Suggested opening once per quarter or once a month, particularly in Spring. Noted that there was an e-waste collection point in Lucindale which was utilised. What has happened to this service? Suggested installing a container for battery collection in Lucindale.
Answer - If green waste is accepted at the Lucindale Waste Transfer Station Council has an obligation to process and remove the waste and will be charged a waste levy on the weight of waste that is received.
At the Naracoorte Waste Transfer Station green waste is stored and mulched annually. There is a charge to grind and dispose of the green waste. Due to the volume generated by the Lucindale community it is not viable to bring the grinding equipment to Lucindale.
The e-waste disposal was available when it was free. The cost is now $1/kg to dispose of and if a collection was undertaken this cost would need to be recouped.
Question - Noted that more green waste is disposed of than what is collected via the kerbside collection.
Answer - The real demand for the disposal of green waste needs to be determined and at what point it becomes viable to bring equipment to Lucindale to process the waste. Agreed that it’s likely there is more green waste being disposed of than is collected via kerbside collections.
Council will investigate options for Lucindale residents for green waste and battery disposal.
Question - The e-waste collection point was closed down by Council.
Answer - To be followed up.
Question - How long can green waste be stored before it needs to be crushed?
Answer - This needs to be checked with the EPA.
Question - Is the damaged shade cloth from the Lucindale playground being replaced or repaired?
Answer - It’s being repaired.
Question - What type of liquid / material is being dumped in the evaporation pond?
Answer - It is grey / storm water from the Naracoorte Waste Transfer Station. The cost to dispose of the water is covered by Envirotec as the operator of the Naracoorte Waste Transfer Station. Sludge from the NRLE is also delivered to the evaporation pond. The evaporation pond is EPA approved. An allegation of inappropriate dumping will be followed up.
Question - Could the sludge from the NRLE be used elsewhere?
Answer - Most waste from the NRLE is recycled.
Question - What is Council’s objection to scattering of ashes on Council or Crown land?
Answer - Question was taken on notice.
Question - Why was a roundabout constructed on the Lucindale Road, into Naracoorte, rather than slipways.
Answer - Council’s original intent was to construct slip lanes, as project planning was undertaken and providing access to industrial land to the north and south was considered it made sense to plan for the very long term. Also as the roundabout was built on a DPTI road Council was required to adhere to their rules – which was to construct a roundabout.
The media release distributed in April 2016 provides the following explanation:
“The roundabout will serve industrial zoned land adjacent to the south of Lucindale Road and adjacent to Kingston Avenue and Treatment Works Road and also improves safety by slowing incoming traffic from Lucindale. This area consists of large holdings providing a range of transport, earthmoving, warehousing, processing and recycling services, all requiring heavy vehicle access and, increasingly, B-double access.
The heavy vehicle compliant roundabout resolves a chronic shortage of large B-Double compliant industrial sites in the region. The new roundabout will provide compliant access for B-Double trucks to at least four large industrially zoned estates, which have the potential to be subdivided into smaller industrial sites.”
Question - Noted the poor condition of the Lucindale Road.
Answer - Council have had discussion with DPTI about smoothing the Lucindale Road.
People were encouraged to submit an application to the State Government’s Residents Win program. The program encourages people to submit applications that will improve local road safety and help create places that are easy to get around and enjoy. Information on the program is available at www.residentswin.sa.gov.au
Question - Supported the removal of the trees on Willow Ave. They are an eyesore, you cannot walk on footpath because of the trees. Would like to see street tidied up.
Question - Noted that business activity in Lucindale is increasing productivity. What plans are there to help businesses? Suggested the main street could be improved and that road access for trucks is important.
Answer - Council would like to hear what sort of assistance businesses need. Specific ideas in relation to economic development are welcome. There is no formal way for Council to be informed about business activity – we rely on businesses approaching Council with suggestions.
New and existing businesses are encouraged to consider applying to Council’s Business Entrepreneurs / Innovation Fund in 2017. The fund has been created to assist business owners to bring their ideas and plans to fruition and to support projects that demonstrate a tangible benefit to the district’s residents and/or business community. Information on the program is available at https://www.naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au/entrepreneursfund
Historically local government has not been involved in economic development. Recently Local Government has become more involved in supporting economic development opportunities for example Council has hosted China delegations looking to purchase products from the Limestone Coast.
Council is happy to meet with anyone to discuss economic development ideas.
Question - How can blocks of land be rezoned and when did the zoning changes occur?
Answer - Council did not have a say in the rezoning that occurred and it was not a result of Council amalgamations. The rezoning occurred as a result of the State Government’s Better Development Plans which was introduced in 2007. The Better Development Plans combined a number of different zones into a blanket primary production zone and increased the size of the block required to develop a house in the primary production zone.
To amend a development plan requires extensive consultation and examining the proposal against the Development Plan. Individual parcels of land cannot be rezoned in isolation. The surrounding area needs to be considered. Rezoning may not suit everyone. It is undertaken on a needs basis.
The Minister for Planning & Infrastructure isn’t accepting any Development Plan Amendments (rezoning's) while the State Government is reviewing the Development Act, unless the amendment to a Development Plan has the potential for significant economic benefit e.g. 100 new homes to be built.
The State Government is re writing regulations. This will be the biggest shake up in Planning for 20 years and will change how Councils process development applications.
Question - Does this mean that blocks that were industrial and are now commercial will never be able to be industrial?
Answer - This depends on what is surrounding the land. Each block of land is examined on a case by case basis.
Question - Can a house be built on a 20 ha block, or can it be divided into smaller blocks? Council needs to push this to create growth.
Answer - We don’t disagree with what you are saying. Council would like to be able to encourage development, however, Council is legally bound, we cannot break the law. Currently Council cannot do anything as the Minister has put a block on development.
The option is to apply to the Development Assessment Panel for a non-complying development which will then go to the Development Assessment Commission. This is a risk because if it is unsuccessful there is no right of appeal and it can be costly. Council’s hands are tied due to the Minister changing planning laws, until this is in place, changes to Council’s development plan will not be considered. Local government has to do State Government’s bidding.
Council tries to put a positive outlook on applications where possible. The Development Assessment Panel will look at what surrounds the proposed development and take it into consideration.
Council’s Structure Plan captures potential expansion in smaller townships such as Lucindale.
Question - It was noted that there are no vacant residential blocks for sale in Lucindale.
Answer - Once the new Act is in place the issue of residential blocks will also be examined.
Question - Concern that the North Parklands pose a fire risk and that grazing is not sufficient to reduce the risk.
Answer - The land is leased to the Lucindale Area School who are working to address the fire risk. Council’s Fire Prevention Officer is working with the school to control the grass.
Question - It was suggested that a petition be available at the South East Field Days to put pressure on DPTI to improve the Lucindale Road.
Question - Noted the poor condition of back roads in the district. Council has been contacted a number of times in relation to the very poor condition of Kerrewong Road and its deterioration, for example the gravel has gone and there are ruts. The alternative route Crower Road is largely double white lines so it is preferable to use Kerrewong Road to move machinery, it needs to be safe and accessible.
Answer - Council will have a look at Kerrewong Road.
Question - Noted that logging trucks coming into Lucindale from Kingston are speeding.
Answer - Suggested this is reported to the police.
Answer - For customer / works request it is preferable to contact the Council office rather than mention works to Council officers out of work hours or to Elected Members. Customer requests that are received at the Council office are recorded and followed up.
Requests can be submitted by phone, email to council@nlc.sa.gov.au or online https://www.naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au/customerrequest
Requests submitted this way are recorded and followed up.
If a customer request is lodged in this manner Council is then provided with first-hand information, rather than second hand information. If a response is not received, you should follow up with Council. Don’t use the online system for urgent matters.
Question - What is happening with a customer request relating to basketball nets.
Answer - Has been followed up, actioned and the customer advised of action taken.
Question - Noted that there a good partnerships between Council and the Lucindale Area School. There is no swimming facility within a 50km radius. DECD has $100,000 for repairs to be undertaken on the Lucindale Area School’s pool. The long term vision to have a heated swimming facility in Lucindale. Is it possible for this to be undertaken in partnership between the school, council and community?
Answer - Suggested that a formal request is put to Council. Council is willing to look at the evidence that a pool could be self-sustaining. There are regular requests for a heated swimming facility.
Question - Safety at the turn around / drop off zone at the Lucindale Area School needs to be improved. DECD are not willing to fund works. Near misses have occurred. Is there a way of working with Council to improve the drop off zone?
Answer - Suggested looking at the Residents Win program. Council will undertake a site inspection with the school.
Question - Suggested that consultation is undertaken on rezoning that is desired.
Answer - The structure plan currently accommodates potential rezoning. The development of the structure plan involved significant consultation.
The structure plan will be used to inform rezoning. Further consultation can occur, but it is difficult when there are so many unknowns. A record of development opportunities that are currently not possible are being kept. The State Government recognises there are hold ups with rezoning and this is being considered as part of the review of the Development Act.
Question - How much of the playground is non complying? The playground is definitely needed and is used every day.
Answer - Parts of the playground are non-complying.