News

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 »

Z Ward for the Criminally Insane at Glenside Hospital Is it really haunted?  Are those rumours true?  Now is your chance to find out! This building has long been a fascination for those interested in the paranormal, and the question raised… is it really haunted?  Join us, in this unique opportunity to explore that burning question. The new owners of Z Ward (Beach Energy) plan to start building works early […]  Read More »

Due to the huge interest in the two public open days at Z Ward, the new building owners Beach Energy have kindly allowed the National Trust to run a program of guided tour events over coming months before work starts on building refurbishment.  There are three types of tour available: Guided day tours (2 hours) with an expert guide to take you through the building and explain its history. Because […]  Read More »

Z Ward for the Criminally Insane at Glenside Hospital Exclusive opportunity – Two hour Photography Lock-ins Many serious photographers have indicated during the free Open Days at Z Ward that they would like an opportunity to access Z Ward when it is less crowded. The 130 year old State Heritage listed building has unique architectural features, historical significance, heritage graffiti, and is surrounded by an intact ha-ha wall – possibly […]  Read More »

Z Ward: SA’s Hospital for Criminal Mental Defectives 1885-1973 Exclusive opportunity – Two hour Guided Tours This 130 year old State Heritage listed building has unique architectural features, historical significance, and is surrounded by an intact ha-ha wall – possibly the last complete ha-ha wall remaining in Australia. Z Ward at Glenside is also of great interest to health professionals, historians, students of architecture, and those interested in SA’s heritage. […]  Read More »

BOOKED OUT!  Please don’t attend unless you have pre-booked, as we will not be able to get you in. Due to the huge interest shown in the Z Ward open day a second, final, public open day will take place on Saturday November 15.  Beach Energy have been kind enough to open the building again and volunteers from the National Trust and Glenside Hospital Historical Society will be on hand […]  Read More »