News

The Minister for Planning, John Rau, has declared that his controversial proposals to dismantle the state’s local heritage protection system will be put on hold until after the State election.  He is reported as saying he would not pursue changes to local heritage listing laws because of “limited parliamentary time” before the state election in March. The announcement coincided with yesterday’s official launch of the National Trust’s report on the […]  Read More

In August last year the state Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure released an eight-page discussion paper that threatened to upset the entire system of local heritage protection. Many people objected not only to the provocative content, but to the ridiculously brief 4-week period allowed for public consultation. Under pressure, the department extended the deadline by four weeks. By 7 October nearly 200 submissions had been received from councils, residents’ […]  Read More

  A reprieve?  DAC asks developer for a better rationale for tree removal:  Advertiser story ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Update: Thanks to all who made today’s rally such a success: Advertiser story  ABC news ——————————————————————————————————————- As part of the redevelopment of the former Glenside Hospital site, developer Cedar Woods has lodged a development application to remove 83 significant and registered trees from the site.  This proposal flies in the face of assurances made […]  Read More

There has been little news about plans for the former Glenside hospital site since the announcement of the preferred developer in July.   But the latest is not good, especially for those who had trusted in the Government’s commitments for the site. Cedar Woods, the chosen developer, has lodged an application with the Development Assessment Commission for approval to remove 83 significant and regulated trees from the grounds.  This application […]  Read More

The State Government is calling for public feedback on its recently announced plan for the future of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site. On Sunday 27 November there is a community open day at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens on the Palm House Lawns from 11am- 3pm. The latest plans for the old Royal Adelaide are described by the Government as featuring: More than 2ha transferred to the Adelaide Botanic Garden […]  Read More

More than 300 people turned up for a public forum on the State Government’s controversial proposals to diminish local heritage protections and remove councils and communities from future decision making.  A number of speakers addressed the meeting, questioning the Government’s rushed approach, it’s refusal to engage in open public debate and the many flaws, inconsistencies and omissions in its recent local heritage discussion paper.   See also the National Trust’s initial […]  Read More

The State Government continues to refuse to run any open public consultation on its controversial proposals to dismantle our local heritage protection system. However, the Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide, Martin Haese, has called an open public forum on local heritage at the Adelaide Town Hall on Monday 26th September from 6pm-7.30pm. This is your chance to let the government know how you feel about its proposals to […]  Read More

The National Trust is calling on the State Government to reconsider its proposals for radical changes to local heritage protections and to undertake a full public consultation on its plans. You may already be aware that far-reaching changes to legislation detrimental to the protection of Local Heritage places are being proposed by John Rau, Minister for Planning. We urge you urgently to read the Government’s Discussion Paper (here) and the […]  Read More

  The State Government has released a discussion paper on local heritage protection without so much as a news release to explain its intention or the process for public consultation on the radical and damaging ‘reforms’ to our State’s heritage protection system it proposes.  As reported in the media, the Government’s paper and rushed approach to public consultation, has already raised great concern.  The National Trust is calling for an open […]  Read More

After years of uncertainty about the future of Fort Largs at Taperoo, the National Trust has joined a partnership with the State Government and developer A V Jennings to restore the historic fort and open it to the public as part of an overall redevelopment of the site. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan announced the partnership at the fort on 17 June. The Trust has been campaigning with other […]  Read More

The National Trust of South Australia has made a formal bid to take over the running of historic Martindale Hall and create a world class tourism destination. A proposal just lodged with the State Government seeks to transform the Martindale Hall Conservation Park into an integrated heritage based tourist attraction inspired by similar National Trust estates in the UK and, an Australian example, Sovereign Hill in Victoria. The Hall itself, […]  Read More

A year ago, a community meeting in Clare strongly endorsed keeping the iconic heritage property Martindale Hall in public ownership.   The meeting was addressed by Shadow Minister for the Environment and Conservation, The Honourable Michelle Lensink MLC, who called on the Government to guarantee continued public ownership of Martindale Hall and suggested exploring more innovative approaches to fundraising to support ongoing maintenance costs for the Hall.   Local State […]  Read More

  UPDATE October 23 There are just three more days before the Government closes off consultation on the proposal to privatise Martindale Hall and allow its conversion to an exclusive ‘wellness resort’. Please take the opportunity to make your voice heard before it’s too late: by visiting the Your Say website and telling the Government what you think of this plan Signing and sharing the petition to the Premier of South Australia against […]  Read More

This weekend a two day art exhibition marks the reopening of Z Ward as Adelaide’s newest heritage attraction hosting tours, art, music and peformance presented by the National Trust of South Australia. In 2014 South Australia’s former Hospital for Criminal Mental Defectives, known as Z Ward, was opened to the public for the first time in forty years and drew enormous crowds. This year the building owners Beach Energy have […]  Read More

Adelaide’s Parklands are under threat again with the State Government’s overblown plan for a new tunnel for the O-Bahn bus into the city. This Sunday May 31st, from 12- 2pm join the National Trust and other community organisations to show that we want our Parklands and significant trees protected.  We would all rather save our Parklands than save 7 minutes commuting time.  Speakers include Independent Senator Nick Xenophon and Adelaide […]  Read More

The National Trust of South Australia views with consternation the announcement that our government plans to permit tower blocks to be built on public land adjacent to Parliament House, Old Parliament House, Adelaide Railway Station, the Festival Centre Complex and Plaza in the heart of Adelaide. All of these buildings have been placed on the South Australian Heritage Register, affording the highest level of legal protection available under our laws.  […]  Read More

The State Government has opened expressions of interest for the redevelopment of 17 hectares of the former Glenside Hospital site.  The Government is hoping the site will be developed to accommodate 1000 new homes.  The site contains 5 state heritage listed buildings and many significant trees which face an uncertain future.   The announcement comes less than 2 weeks after a four hour public consultation event was conducted on the […]  Read More

An exhibition of photographs revealing the amazing history of one of South Australia’s most important military history sites, Fort Largs at Taperoo, opens at the Semaphore and Port Adelaide RSL Club on Sunday 8 February. As part of the campaign to save Fort Largs from sale by the State Government, the National Trust of South Australia is staging a photographic exhibition titled Faces of Fort Largs at the Semaphore RSL […]  Read More

Raise a toast; give a cheer, Fort Largs can still be saved!     This week there is reason to celebrate as two buildings on the Fort Largs site nominated for heritage listing by the National Trust have made it through the provisional listing stage, after a three month public consultation phase.  Barring intervention from the Minister for the Environment, Water and Natural Resources to remove the provisional listing, these […]  Read More

A community meeting in Clare this week strongly endorsed the importance of retaining public ownership of Martindale Hall, one of South Australia’s heritage icons.     Around 100 people attended the meeting to voice their concerns about the future of Martindale Hall.  The State Government has refused to rule out selling the 130 year old mansion.  The Minister with responsibility for the building, Ian Hunter MLC, failed to show at […]  Read More