Mount Barker Council has committed $1.5m to the Heysen Foundation
Mount Barker Council has committed $1.5 million of ratepayers money towards the $13 million redevelopment of artist Hans Heysen’s historic home – but not before facing significant resistance from one of its elected members.
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Mount Barker Council will commit $1.5 million in funding towards the development of
The Cedars in Hahndorf despite backlash from some members of the community.
Councillors last night voted eight-to-two in support of the funding commitment to the Heysen Foundation, to be paid in two instalments over the next two years.
The funding will go towards the $13 million overhaul of famed artist Sir Hans Heysen’s historic Hahndorf home, which will be turned into a cultural precinct with a gallery, restaurant, gift shop and bushfire-safe storage for art works.
Despite overwhelming support of the project, Councillor David Leach said there were some in the community who feared council spending was misdirected.
He asked the council to amend its recommendation to request The Heysen Foundation to repay the grant upon completion of the project, at the amount of 20 per cent per annum until the total was repaid.
“I am one of the people who has been opposed to the spending $1.5 million by capital input into the Heysen Foundation … and not because it’s not a very good project,” Cr Leach said.
”My point comes down to that we currently have plans to get into debt up to $40 million – and this would just increase our debt even more.”
The motion was squashed when put to vote.
Deputy mayor Samantha Jones, who strongly opposed Cr Leach’s amendment, said residents and councillors needed to look at the real facts and benefits the project would bring to the community.
She said the council’s financial contribution would help bring significant community and economic benefits to the region – at a time when it was needed the most.
“During construction, which is expected to take one-and-a-half years, the project will support 100 full time jobs. These tradespeople will also be spending dollars in our community, supporting local business and families – cafes, bakeries, hardware stores, supply chain wholesalers – the list goes on,” she said.
“Once completed, there will be 28 full times jobs and an annual $3.7 million contribution to the Gross State Product.
“If we include operating and tourism impacts, it is estimated the project will have a follow-on effect of 40 full time jobs with a $5.2 million per annum contribution to the economy.
“So I wonder if the local businesses who have been struggling since the fires, and now nearly devastated by COVID-19, would rather keep the $1.85 a week to themselves instead of having an internationally recognised, once in a lifetime property, gallery, and tourism draw card enhanced and promoted – bringing an expected 30,000 people from all over the world to Hahndorf.”
The Heysen Foundation last month revealed that it was ready to start construction after selecting architectural firm Snøhetta to design a cultural precinct at The Cedars.
Executive Director Tori Dixon-Whittle said the idea of turning the property into a State tourism asset had been years in the making and was supported through the Adelaide City Deal.
It would pay tribute to one of the country’s premier artists, Hans Heysen, who bought the property in 1912.
About 200 original works of art are now exhibited in The Cedars home and studio, where he created many of his best-known pieces.
“It really is an exciting project and the final building should be finished by the end of 2023,” she said.
Heysen’s grandson Peter, a former chairman of the Hans Heysen Heritage Foundation, said it was humbling to see his family’s vision realised.
“I had an idea in the ‘80s to celebrate and honour my grandfather’s legacy,” he said.
“It has been a long road and I’m eternally grateful to everyone who has contributed, both financially and with their time, to reach this milestone – the start of the project in earnest.”