Fence goes up around Shed 26 as demolition of historic boatshed begins

Demolition of the contentious Shed 26 at Port Adelaidehas begun to make way for housing, but locals are still pleading for the developer to find another solution.

• NOVEMBER: Fletcher’s Slip masterplan reveals Shed 26 will go
• DECEMBER: Heritage Council defies advice to give provisional listing
• JANUARY: Developer Cedar Woods willing to work on saving shed
• MARCH: Shed recommended for permanent listing by Heritage Council
• APRIL: State Government scraps heritage listing

Demolition of the contentious Shed 26 at Port Adelaide has started to make way for housing.

A temporary fence was installed before the work began on Monday, which has also blocked access to a public bike path around the shed.

It came after the State Government earlier in April quashed a bid to have the old boatshed permanently state heritage listed by removing its provisional listing.

Despite the move by the government, which has paved the way for the structure to be razed and replaced with housing as part of a $160 million housing development at Fletchers Slip by Cedar Woods, locals still held hope Shed 26 could be retained.

Fencing has gone up around Shed 26 at Port Adelaide. Photo: Emma Webb

Campaigner Emma Webb said Cedar Woods should hold off demolition until it had explored all other possible options.

“There is no need to demolish Shed 26 right now,” Ms Webb said.

“Cedar Woods themselves have said their sales have not been affected by the building. Their sales in surrounding locations have exceeded their expectations according to their own communications.

“Once this building is taken down it is lost forever.

“If Cedar Woods are genuine about engagement with the community and repairing this situation, the least they can do is hold off and enable the opportunity for considering the possibilities on the site.”

In an emailed statement to The Advertiser, Cedar Woods confirmed the shed’s removal had begun.

“This initial phase of work will also enable the start of construction work for the development

with earthworks and subsequent homebuilding starting in May,” the statement read.

“Cedar Woods remains committed to working with our heritage experts and relevant

authorities to deliver a great outcome on the existing state heritage listed elements of the

Fletcher’s Slip project.”

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