The Friends of the City of Unley Society, Inc, (FOCUS) was formed in October 2003 and later incorporated in June 2004 by residents concerned about preserving the historical character of the City of Unley.
What is FOCUS?
The Friends of the City of Unley Society, Inc, (FOCUS) was formed in October 2003 and later incorporated in June 2004 by residents concerned about preserving the historical character of the City of Unley.
FOCUS aims and objectives:
Promote planning policies that ensure retention of existing amenity: character, gardens, open space, and trees throughout the City of Unley.
Influence development application assessment that insists on rigorous criteria to ensure only high quality and sympathetic development proceeds in the City of Unley.
Seek Council control over demolition of buildings built prior to WWII and significant trees with consultative, transparent, and accountable decision-making processes.
Establish and maintain the Society as a force that asserts its views at every opportunity to all levels of Government that regulate development in the Unley area.
Establish and maintain the Society as a force that, as a matter of course, all development authorities consult, on the basis of good faith, before strategic development decisions are made.
FOCUS achievements
- Presented a submission on the Sustainable Development Act Amendment Bill in 2004.
- Presented a submission on the Heritage Act Amendments in 2004.
- Collected 2,020 signatures for a petition to give Council demolition control over buildings built prior to 1940 in order to retain the historical and architectural character of the City.
- Organised a Public Meeting with other established resident associations in April 2004 to discuss the proposed Sustainable Development Amendment Bill.
- Met with the Minister for Development and Planning to present the petition and to voice residents’ concerns on the destruction of character.
- Liaised with PlanningSA and Unley Council on establishing criteria of character residents wish to maintain.
- Liaised with local MP, Mark Brindal to present our petition in Parliament in a Grievance Debate.
- Lobbied a number of state politicians on demolition control.
- Developed a website: www.focusonunley.org
- Organised silent protests and demonstrations to save character homes.
- Assisted residents in their objections to unsympathetic development.
- Involved the media in our fight for our heritage via television, radio and newspapers.
Friends of the City of Unley Society, Inc. 
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