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Walkerville Residential Code

As part of the State Government's roll-out of the Residential Development Code in 2009, new dwellings were designated as complying development in certain areas and under certain circumstances. However, before this occurred, the Minister for Urban Development and Planning initiated a process whereby councils could request that specific areas be excluded from the full operation of the Code.

The preliminary step in the exclusion process involved the identification of potential character areas based on 'desk-top' investigation and addressing specific criteria relating to the character of the built form. It was also necessary to demonstrate that the predominant built form was constructed before 1940 and that a target of 50-70% for complying development would be met.

Working for the Town of Walkerville, URPS undertook a broad review of the streetscape character of the Council's area in conjunction with the finalisation of the General and Residential DPA. This review indicated that there are a number of areas in Gilberton, Walkerville and Vale Park which could qualify for exclusion from the full operation of the Code. Using the knowledge gained through our development assessment and policy experience at Walkerville, we were able to effectively and efficiently recommend a number of structural changes to the Development Plan to ensure that the roll-out of the Code matched the new policy framework, protected important streetscape character, and was easy to interpret.

Innovation is important to us at URPS. We like to 'push boundaries’ where appropriate. It keeps us on our toes and delivers the best possible outcomes for our clients who have to adapt to constant change. This is why we take such pride in winning PIA Awards – they provide evidence of our success in striving for innovation.

We were delighted to receive a commendation at the PIA SA 2011 Awards for Planning Excellence for the Mount Barker Town Centre Community Engagement Project – our 15th PIA Award/Commendation over the past 9 years.

A genuinely collaborative project, staff from Mount Barker Council worked closely with the URPS team to deliver a range of engagement techniques carefully targeted to the various audiences. According to the awards publication, "the judges were impressed by the extent of the community engagement process and the use of a wide variety of consultation mediums, including social media, a youth ‘walk out and talk out’ session and a series of 'speak out’ sessions".

We were also delighted to celebrate Marcus Rolfe's elevation to the position of Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia at the Awards evening. The elevation recognises Marcus' ongoing contribution to the planning profession.

URPS Director Nicole Halsey has recently been appointed as a member of the Premier's Climate Change Council and the Board of Renewables SA.

The primary function of the Climate Change Council is to provide independent advice to the Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change about matters related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. The Council also takes a leading role in consulting with business, the environment / conservation sector and the wider community on climate change issues.

Key elements of the charter of Renewables SA include:

We look forward to supporting Nicole in these significant roles.

URPS and Natalie Fuller and Associates, together with a team of dedicated staff and volunteers at the City of Salisbury, recently held a "Street Talk" event outside the Len Beadell library for the Salisbury Town Centre Renewal Project.

Over 500 people participated, providing their views on what they like about the Town Centre, what can be improved and how they would like to see it develop in the future.

The Manager Urban Development at the City of Salisbury, Harry Pitrans, described this as a "very successful day for the City of Salisbury", also praising "the opportunity we provided to support the team of engagement volunteers" and our "professionalism and fun during the day".

We would also like to extend our thanks to the engagement team of Brian Pledger, Janine Harding, Jo Lasham, Julie Fyfe, Kate Naumann, Michelle Tucker, Tammie Hamilton and Hiroe Terao.

This type of successful community engagement will have a significant positive impact on the development and delivery of the Town Centre Renewal Project.