Annesley Junior School will demolish part of 1880s Patchell Building it says is unsafe and unable to be repaired

Despite howls of protest, Annesley Junior School will demolish a section of a historic 1880s building – and wants to replace it with a new structure.

Amid heritage advocate protests, a section of a historic building on the Annesley Junior School campus will be demolished.

Principal Jo Rossiter wrote to parents last week to explain the decision, taken because the western wing of the 1880s-built Patchell Building was severely damaged.

But the Help Save South Australia’s History lobby group criticised the move.

HSSSH spokeswoman Debbie Williams said there was little that could be done to save the section of building set to be bulldozed because it was on only a local Unley area heritage listing.

“It is a sad sign of the times that such sites only have a ‘local heritage’ listing, when they are so important to SA history,’’ she said.

“We see time and again the excuse of ‘beyond repair’, too expensive, but clearly demolition by neglect does not happen overnight, it takes dedicated neglect, as seen with this building.”

But Ms Rossiter’s letter stated: “A thorough investigation into the structural integrity of the building was undertaken”.

Cordoned off by a blue barrier, this part of Annesley College’s historic main building has deemed beyond repair and will be demolished. Picture: Annesley Junior School

“Following advice from structural engineers and consideration of the potential safety risks

to the community, a decision to demolish a small section of the Patchell Building was taken. “This decision was not taken lightly and ensures that the rest of this historic and much-loved building can be restored and enjoyed by future generations.”

The Unley Council Assessment Panel approved the demolition last week with the condition that a 3D laser survey be carried out and materials be salvaged for re-use.

Annesley College moved to the site in 1904 and the Patchell Building became the main school building but the end of senior schooling and launch of the Annesley Junior School in 2012 meant the building has largely been vacant.

The college’s proposal to replace the section set to be demolished. Picture: Annesley Junior School

The Unley CAP heard a deposition from former Adelaide City Councillor and heritage consultant Sandy Wilkinson.

He had asked for a decision to compel the school to reconstruct the building with the saved materials.

“Imagine the employment that could be generated if the state government provided substantially more than the paltry $250k towards restoration of privately owned heritage buildings in this state and the Unley Council’s mere $40k heritage and tree budget.”

Mr Wilkinson said the 80sq m western section included more than 650 blocks of Mount Lofty stone.

He said it was disappointing the school could not at least have rebuilt the stone facade, but instead would add a lopsided structure of modern materials.

“Surely they could carefully dismantle this gable facade after labelling all the stones to facilitate its reconstruction on a new concrete foundation.

“The western side (wall) could perhaps just be rebuilt in modern materials if the school can’t afford to also reconstruct this wall in stone.”