Ayers House on North Tce to be given $500,000 investment under Liberal Party $1m heritage pledge

STATE heritage-listed Ayers House will receive a $500,000 upgrade and owners of heritage properties would have access to a $500,000 fund to fix their buildings, the Liberal Party has pledged if elected.

The Liberal Party has pledged $500,000 towards the upgrade of Ayers House.

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STATE heritage-listed Ayers House would receive a $500,000 upgrade and owners of heritage properties would have access to a $500,000 fund to fix their buildings, the Liberal Party has pledged if elected.

Opposition Environment spokesmand David Spiers said the money would enable the Trust, which leases the property from the State Government, to deliver upon a masterplan to restore Ayers House, on North Terrace, to its former glory.

“It is widely recognised that the potential of Ayers House is under-utilised and that the building requires significant restoration to unleash this potential,” he said.

“Enabling the National Trust to restore this flagship property will protect its significant heritage value for generations to come.

“This investment becomes increasingly important with the imminent redevelopment of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site just across North Terrace.”

The Trust operates the museum while a separate company Ayers House Weddings & Events operates from the 147-year-old mansion.

AHWE managing director Richard McLeod revealed to The Advertiser last August he had submitted separate plans with the Government to expand the old servants’ quarters into a guest room and under-utilised cellar rooms into an area — to be called the Sir Henry Ayers Wine Club — capable of hosting wine-based events.

Mr Spiers said the party would also establish a $500,000 Heritage Grants Fund, which would be reviewed after two years, to provide small grants for “vital preservation” work.

“We will also develop a Heritage Tourism Strategy with the Environment Department to work in partnership with the SA Tourism Commission to recognise the tourism value of our heritage places,” he said.