Julia Farr Centre site at Fullarton to be sold for housing development
Long eyed-off by developers, the former Julia Farr Centre at Fullarton will soon hit the market. And all the cash will go to South Aussies with disabilities.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Adelaide’s most sought-after development site is about to come on the market, with the Julia Farr Centre at Fullarton put up for sale by the State Government.
Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink will on Saturday announce the sale by expressions of interest of the 2.85ha site at Fullarton, ending years of speculation, and after consultation with 360 disability groups and individuals.
The site opened in 1879 as the Home for Incurables. The minister is the sole trustee of the Julia Farr Trust, which owns the site now called Highgate Park. To soothe controversy over the sale, all proceeds will be used to aid disabled South Australians.
“Many South Australians will fondly remember Highgate Park as their home and workplace, so this sale is a significant and historic one for our community,” Ms Lensink said.
“The decision to sell Highgate Park was made following thorough and extensive independent community consultation.”
Consultation included in-depth interviews, workshops and surveys. More than 360 people were involved, including people living with disability and experts in the disability sector.
“I thank everyone who has given their time and valuable insights in the consultation process so far,” Ms Lensink said.
“We now want to assure South Australians that any proceeds from the sale of Highgate Park will meet the trust’s specific objectives to benefit people with disability.”
Renewal SA will manage the sale of the site on behalf of the trust, because the state is withdrawing from disability accommodation to make way for Federal Government NDIS services.
The median house price in Fullarton is $1,175,000 and new retirement units built on another part of the Julia Farr site have sold for $1.5m.
There have been no similar government land sales close
to the city for decades, except the five-times larger Glenside parcel, which sold for $30m in 2016.
The Advertiser understands there was “overwhelming” support for the sale during independent consultation with the disability sector, pending proceeds being returned to improve services.
The main building on the site was built in the 1970s and it is understood demolition costs would be in excess of $5m.
JFA Purple Orange, which was formed out of Julia Farr Services, will now run a working group to consider the future focus of the trust and provide advice to the minister during the sale process.
Cancelled comic weighs in on Lib’s abortion bid ‘no-brainer’
The comedian who says she was dumped by two Adelaide pubs over her views on gender identity gave her verdict after performing at a women-only event.
The rubbish rule this council is using to slug locals $312
How quickly do you bring in your bins? It might not be fast enough for this Adelaide council. It’s been laying down the law before bringing in the bucks.