Adelaide University Gatehouse to be demolished for Fullarton, Cross roads upgrades

The transport minister says he has not taken the decision to demolish the Urrbrae gatehouse lightly.

Heritage listed gatehouse to go as part of a Fullarton Road upgrade. Government says the gatehouse is unlikely to move without crumbling and will save 18 houses having to go. Picture: SA Government

A heritage listed Urrbrae gatehouse will be demolished to make way for a $61m upgrade of Fullarton and Cross roads.

Hopes that the old Adelaide University Gatehouse could be relocated have been dashed after a feasibility study found it would be too expensive and likely unsuccessful. Keeping the gatehouse where it is would have meant 18 other properties being demolished.

Infrastructure Minister Corey Wingard said the decision was not taken lightly.

“This decision was influenced by the need to minimise overall impacts to the community – particularly reducing the number of homes that would need to be demolished,” he said.

Infrastructure And Transport Minister Corey Wingard. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

“A report has also found the structural integrity of the gatehouse would be at significant risk if it were to be moved.”

Mr Wingard said the State Government would work with Heritage SA and the community to archive the gatehouse’s history. A fund of up to $2m will also be available to improve other local heritage properties.

In May, Netherby resident Joanna Wells, who had gathered almost 5000 signatures on a petition to save the gatehouse, said moving the building would be “better than nothing”.

“I’ve been told this (relocation) is a serious option but it’s hard to see where they could move it and not lose more trees,” she said at the time.

“The gatehouse is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about the significance as the entrance to a great estate.”

Images from a recent survey of the Adelaide University Gatehouse. Picture: SA Government

The survey found moving the building would be too risky. Picture: SA Government

Almost $100m in state and federal funding will be spent on upgrades to the Fullarton Road intersections with Cross Road and Glen Osmond Road.

“More than 100,000 vehicles pass through these intersections everyday including commuter and freight traffic, creating unnecessary delays and safety risks,” Mr Wingard said.

There were 40 crashes reported at the Glen Osmond/Fullarton roads intersection between 2015 and 2019, along with and 35 at the Cross/Fullarton roads junction.

Under the concept design for the Cross/Fullarton roads upgrade, the intersection would receive extra through lanes on each approach, more right-turn lanes with green arrow lights, and indented bus stops.

The project would improve pedestrian safety and provide better access to Urrbrae High School. On-road bicycle lanes would also be installed.