Last ditch effort to save Shed 26 from demolition wins no favour

The historic sawtooth boatshed at Port Adelaide is certain to face the chopping block for housing after an emergency meeting between the council, government and developer to save it failed.

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• Government received EOI that could have saved Shed 26
• Demolition halted over asbestos concerns

Local campaigners have lost their last bid to save Shed 26 from being razed, meaning the sawtooth boatshed will come down within weeks.

A meeting brokered with Cedar Woods and the State Government by Port Adelaide Enfield Council last week failed to produce any change in the developer’s intention to knock over the shed on the banks of the Port River for a housing development.

Renewal SA chief executive Mark Devine, Cedar Woods project director Mark Pivovaroff, Port Adelaide Enfield chief executive Mark Withers and Mayor Claire Boan were at the meeting.

A drone image of Shed 26 with asbestos roof panelling removed. Photo supplied by Save Shed 26

Supporters of retaining the 1950s shed believed it was the final opportunity to save the building with destruction of the structure expected to begin in the next few weeks.

The developer had so far only removed asbestos roof panelling.

The council said it had been told by Cedar Woods it would still require $8 million of public funds to remediate the building if it were to be repurposed.

Mrs Boan said the council “did the best” it could to save the shed but the developer was unwilling to budge.

“It was a full and frank discussion, and we talked about the real costs of the various different options for adaptive re-use of the existing structure that had been considered, including community use, housing, retail and commercial development of the area,” Mrs Boan said.

Protesters outside Shed 26. Photo: AAP/Kelly Barnes

Campaigner Emma Webb said the result was “very disappointing”.

“It feels definitely that Cedar Woods are not listening to the community or the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and we don’t feel they’ve ever had any intention other than to take the shed down,” Ms Webb said.

“We feel the council have been taken for a ride in the same way the rest of the community have.”

She had organised a meeting with Treasurer Rob Lucas on Thursday morning to discuss the future of the shed.

“Only the State Government can save the shed now,” she said.

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