Semaphore tower future undecided as petition emerges

Ambitious plans to flip an iconic property into short-stay accommodation could be in jeopardy as the application gets placed on hold. See the plans here.

Ambitious plans to turn an iconic Semaphore beacon into short-stay accommodation have been temporarily placed on ice as neighbours hit back with a petition against the development.

An application to alter the Semaphore water tower, at 40 Blackler St, first drew indignation on social media with residents believing the 140-year-old tower could be set for demolition.

Attempts to allay those fears were made by Port Adelaide Enfield Council Mayor Claire Boan who confirmed the tower would remain, but the 1930s red brick home around it would go.

Now, two months after Ms Boan’s intervention, the proposal has stalled as it awaits consideration by the council’s Assessment Panel scheduled for late April.

As it stands, the application proposes to build six outbuildings behind the historic tower and retain the tower itself as a seventh accommodation.

Artist visualisations of the proposed water tower development. Pictures: Black Rabbit

Petition organiser Michael Harper said the 60 signatures represented “almost every resident” of Blackler St and neighbouring Coppin St.

Mr Harper’s reasons for the petition, which was accepted by the local council on Wednesday, included the effect of the development on the street, the per-square-metre viability of the six proposed short-term accommodation units, the setbacks, traffic implications and the potential impact on the water tower’s heritage listing.

“There is absolutely concern about the demolition of the existing residence which was built in 1936, it’s a bit cavalier to knock that down just to build a carpark as shown in the proposal,” he said.

The Semaphore water tower in 2017. Picture: File

The Semaphore water tower in 1936. Picture: The Advertiser photograph Krischock

“There’s just been no consideration of the historic relevance of the site and it doesn’t fit in with the heritage of the area.

“On face value it looks great, but, like most things in life, when you see what’s offered (an improvement) is not what we think is happening.”

Mr Harper said should the proposal be approved the petitioners would “not be letting go” and would consider their next course of action.

The tower was bought in 2017 by Sydney insurance broker Daniel Johnson and his wife Virginia.

Three years later, the application to change the tower into short-term accommodation and to demolish the subsidiary building emerged, submitted by local group Black Rabbit Architecture and Interiors.

An artist visualisation of the proposed water tower development. Pictures: Black Rabbit

An artist visualisation of the proposed water tower development. Pictures: Black Rabbit

Black Rabbit spokesman Mike Sheidow said the proposal would still be going ahead despite the petition.

“The development assessment process is proceeding and discussions with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and Heritage SA are ongoing,” he said.

“The public notification period has run its course and has allowed interested parties to have their opinions heard.”

As part of the application the owner of the building, Daniel Johnson, described his commitment to exhibiting the water tower in a way that “honours its history”.

“We welcome the opportunity to build world-class accommodation whilst maintaining this historically significant place and securing its value within the community,” he wrote.

Heritage SA has considered the plans and a while spokesperson had the capacity to make developers reconsider their plans so they are in keeping with heritage direction, they would not say whether this had occurred.

Ms Boan said the council did not have a position in regard to the petition but the issues it raised would be discussed as part of the independent assessment panel.