Commenting on the story: ‘Visual relief’: Parade developer told to soften block design

Interesting that an 8 storey building with wide setbacks is sent back by SCAP. This design is 2 storeys over planning regulations.

But a 12 storey building with a 9 metre frontage at Glenelg, built boundary to boundary, gets approved. This building is 7 storeys over regulations. There is no consistency with SCAP. – Andrew Millar

As the saying goes “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,” and no amount of “design refinements” will make an 8 storey apartment building set just 4-6m back behind the single storey Local Heritage shops fit with and complement the intimate human scale of The Parade.

A setback of more like 12m behind these shops is what is needed. It seems like the DIT State Government planners have trouble ever saying no, and even the SCAP seem nervous about just saying that the development is fundamentally excessive in scale, as the State Government Architect and NPStP Council said.

So no-one was forthcoming is saying that you will have to just cede some apartment yield and significantly increase the setback of the apartment block by X metres in order to respect the historic scale of Norwood Parade at this important gateway.

The Planning Code is internally in conflict in seeking intimate human scale whilst permitting development uplift comprising 6-8 storeys on our main streets without clear stipulation of setbacks of such development to successfully maintain the historic human scale streetscape of our beloved main streets. – Sandy Wilkinson

The latest proposed development at Norwood, although meeting all the design guidelines and principles and obtaining SCAP conditional endorsement appears now to be another victim of the vocal minority that simply cannot handle that Adelaide is also part of the changing trends for dwelling accommodation, diverse forms of housing and commercial development.

The Norwood council has stifled many developments that if given a chance would turn the existing old tired developed areas into vibrant and attractive streetscapes providing greater social amenity and value .

This is basically because the mindsets of those formulating and administering policy are out of touch and well behind the contemporary lifestyles and trends. The “I don’t like it” excuse should not be a factor in assessment of developments.

The excuse that because “something is old it is good and of value” is foolish. Heritage or culturally significant buildings or zones need to be assessed on their proper value and in the right context.

The buildings that are on The Parade associated with this development are, if carefully assessed, of little heritage value or contributing to any social or cultural identity. They are basically tired old buildings that have been haphazardly tarted up over the many years of service and have outlived their relevance as commercial developments on a main modern boulevard.

The proposed development should be viewed as a positive opportunity to upgrade and enhance the local and broader amenity of The Parade. Wake up Norwood, it’s 2022 not 1822. – Sozo Nikias

Commenting on the stories: Rick rolled as Labor makes choice for Chapman’s seat and ‘Arrogant, out of touch’: Labor’s internal ructions escalate

The generosity with which Rick Sarre accepted his defeat in the ALP’s preselection for Bragg shows what a great parliamentarian he would have made, had his party given him the chance he deserved.

Our parliaments need more caring, honest people whose responses are not based on ego. – Sandra Kanck

I’ve been a rusted-on ALP voter for decades, party member, sub branch president and hander-out of state and federal how to vote cards.

The SA party’s treatment of Rick Sarre is a disgrace (and Alice Rolls is a member of my sub branch). And I am appalled that the Albanese government has lined up with the coal lobby and the horrific WA Woodside gas project. These are not values I voted for.

I’d hoped for a brave new world of policies and practices, but instead it’s a sad same old, same old rehash of politics as normal. Bring on the teals and Greens, Labor has a lot to do to retain my vote. – Stephen Marlow

Commenting on the story: Is an expanding AFL getting too big for its boots?

The AFL already has too many clubs. Australia does not have enough population to sustain the number of elite athletes needed to supply the AFL teams that it already has.

More teams will just lead to a further drop in the standard of the competition.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to undo the past, and fans are tied to their club. When the VFL was expanded nationally, this was the time that a reset was needed to create a new national competition from a blank sheet of paper.

Tasmania needs a club and while it might not be financially viable, the best way to do that would be to move a Victorian club and put up with the short and medium term implications. – Julian Thompson

Commenting on the story: How to create a suburban cultural hotspot 

What a wonderful initiative! Shows that anything can be done if you are passionate about it. Great work. – Pam French