SA Heritage Council to consider historical dig of West End Brewery site

Could significant parts of SA’s history be buried under the West End site? It’s possible – and an archaeological dig might on the cards.

An archaeological dig of the West End Brewery site is being considered by the SA Heritage Council to uncover pieces of South Australian history buried underground.

It is believed remnants of Theberton Hall, where Colonel William Light lived and died in 1839, could lie beneath the surface on the corner of Walsh and Winwood streets, in the heart of the brewery precinct.

Local West Torrens councillor Graham Nitschke, acting as a private citizen, has nominated the brewery site for consideration by the SA Heritage Council, calling for a “heritage audit” to identify areas of historical significance worthy of protection.

He said Colonel Light’s cottage was just one example of the history that ran through the 8.2ha brewery site.

Theberton Hall before it was demolished in 1926.

“There are things like the old malthouse – you can actually see that from the street,” he said.

“Back in 1926 Colonel Light’s cottage was demolished but they did have an underground room and a well, and presumably back in those days it would have just been levelled so it may well still be there under a slab of concrete.

“There probably would be a few articles and sites that would be of interest – it needs to be looked at. I don’t want it to be levelled because then it will be too late.”

Manufacturer Colton, Palmer and Preston purchased Theberton Hall in 1926 and demolished it to expand their factory. But it’s believed an underground room, tank and well could still exist below ground.

Mr Nitschke believes many elements of the West End site could have significant historical value and could be worthy of state heritage listing – the state’s highest heritage protection.

Protection prevents items being moved, altered or sold without the heritage council’s authority.

The West End Brewery site from Port Road. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

The West End Brewery will close next month. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

The West End Brewery will close next month, with owner Lion planning a demolition, remediation and rezoning of the land ahead of a potential sale and redevelopment.

Prior to decommissioning, historical items on the site will be moved to the State Library and other institutions, while some items will be donated to the West Torrens Historical Society.

A Lion spokeswoman said the company had been working with Heritage SA and other local historical and cultural groups to determine how best to preserve historical elements of the brewery.

“We are working closely with local historians to ensure the most important contents of the brewery’s archive are appropriately transitioned to local institutions for the mutual benefit of the West End brand, and the people of South Australia,” she said.

The SA Heritage Council will consider Mr Nitschke’s nomination at a meeting on Thursday.

Members of the council will also consider the potential heritage listing of a restored copper kettle dating back to the 1930s.

The historic copper kettle is visible in the glass-fronted building on Port Road.

The kettle was restored in 2015 and is prominently visible in the glass-fronted building on Port Road.

SA Heritage Council chair Keith Conlon said the history of the West End site warranted a discussion about its heritage value to the state.

“I think anyone who’s interested in beer in South Australia knows that the Torrenside Brewery began back in the 1880s and so there is some real history attached to the site,” he said.

“We’ll look at that against the criteria, and if one or more elements of the site are provisionally listed, that signals a three-month period of consultation.

“There is a real interest in Colonel Light’s cottage, whether there are sufficient remains. There may be some elements of archaeological interest – we’ll have a look at that as a separate element.”

Mr Nitschke acknowledged that his proposed “heritage audit” and archaeological investigation could affect plans to develop the site, but said it could be a positive for developers.

“If there is a heritage, say malthouse or something else, it may well be a fantastic feature for a new development there.”