Who cares about this important, historic SA site? Squatters take up residence at Fort Largs

IT’S an important landmark building constructed more than 130 years ago to protect South Australia from naval attack but it’s being overrun by squatters and vandals — and local historians aren’t happy.

Fort Largs is to redeveloped and sold off for housing.

SQUATTERS and vandals have invaded a historic fort owned by the police and built to protect SA from naval attack.

The damage has promoted called from local history buffs for tighter security across the Taperoo site, some of which is earmarked to be developed for housing.

Photos obtained by the Portside Messenger show doors have been forced open at the 1880s-built fort as well as damage to the 1960s-built dormitories.

The inside of the facility has been vandalised and damaged. Picture: Supplied

The site was built to defend the coast from potential enemy attack and includes a state heritage-listed fort, barracks and drill hall plus a group of dormitories built in the 1960s.

Windows can be seen smashed in the buildings, graffiti scrawled on its walls and furniture strewn outside.

History enthusiast David Walsh, who obtained the photos from a local photographer, was told squatters were living in the dormitories and old militaria in the fort had been stolen.

Some of the items believed to have been stolen include old disarmed military shells and an old smoke grenade.

“We are mainly concerned about the fort because that is real Fort Largs and the squatters, I have been told, were at the opposite end in the 1960s dormitories,” Mr Walsh said.

Windows in the old dormitories have been broken. Picture: Supplied

“No one is too concerned about the accommodation blocks because we are assuming they will be demolished.

“But the bottom line is: do you really want kids having a free adventure park of their own at night just down the road from houses?”

Mr Walsh was told the World War II generator room, later used an armoury and drug store by the police, was also forced open.

Doors at the entrance to the fort are broken. Picture: Supplied

The State Government is selling the site, which can fit 200 homes, for housing but plans to keep the 1939-built Fort Largs barracks and drill hall.

The sale of the land will partially recoup the new $53 million police academy situated nearby.

The abandoned facility. Picture: Supplied

The government is expected to announce who will develop the land within a matter of months but in the meantime the area is bordered with temporary fencing.

“The government and Renewal SA have failed at the most basic level of heritage protection,” Mr Walsh said.

Doors have been busted open. Picture: Supplied

National Trust of South Australia chairman Professor Norman Etherington said it was important for the site to be protected.

“The site has been earmarked to be redeveloped and the developer is supposed to be incorporating those buildings in their plans,” Mr Etherington said.

“So it is regrettable there has been a lapse in security.”

A SA Police spokesman said security would not be increased and urged the public to report any “suspicious behaviour”.

A proud history

Fort Largs was used for many years as a police training facility.

1883: Fort Largs built to protect Port Adelaide’s coast from a potential Russian attack.

1889: The fort is fitted with six-inch breech-loading guns.

1916: Fort Largs is used as a temporary home for “enemy” immigrants.

1939: Fort Largs barracks and drill hall built to combat potential threat from the Russians to the state’s coast.

1944: Once Japan and Russia are no longer seen as a threat, Fort Largs becomes a training school for Volunteer Defence Corps gunners.

1946: The six-inch guns on the top of Fort Largs are removed.

1951: The Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps start using the site.

1960: Fort Largs is handed back to the State Government.

1961: SA Police start using the site for training.

2009: Parts of the police academy are sold as work on a new $53 million training centre starts on a block of land to the east.

2012: The old academy site closes as the new police academy opens.

2014: The State Government unveils plans to sell Fort Largs to recoup money spent on the new police academy.

2015: The Fort Largs Barracks and Drill Hall added to the SA Heritage Register, which prevents them being bulldozed.