Martindale Hall: Fight to keep historic mansion in public hands
THE National Trust of SA has launched a surprise bid to operate historic Martindale Hall. Two groups are now fighting to take over the magnificent building — should it stay in public hands or be privatised?
SA News
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THE National Trust of South Australia has launched a surprise bid to operate historic Martindale Hall under a plan it says will transform the 136-year-old estate into a major tourist destination and keep the building in public hands.
Under the proposal, released exclusively to the Sunday Mail, the Georgian-style mansion and estate in the Clare Valley would become a new gallery space for international and national art exhibitions, feature an adventure playground and a re-created 19th century Victorian pleasure garden, and be underpinned by a year-long schedule of events and festivals.
The Trust also intends opening up the 20ha property to sports such as polo, croquet and clay pigeon shooting and would establish an endowment fund for maintenance and repairs of the 32-room mansion and grounds.
The organisation has lodged a submission with the State Government in direct competition to a bid lodged last year by wine industry identities Warren Randall and Warrick Duthy to establish a private, luxury five-star resort and spa at the Mintaro landmark.
Trust chairman Professor Norman Etherington said the heart of the plan was to maintain public access to the government-owned property while increasing tourism to the Clare Valley.
“The State Government has been trying to decide what to do with Martindale Hall and now we have given it the perfect solution,” he said.
“We will establish a world-class tourism destination that will give one of the state’s jewels the prominence it deserves and attract more than 100,000 visitors a year, creating a significant boost to the economy,” he said.
“We will invest in the site to develop amenities, attractions and events and will preserve the buildings in accordance with the terms of the original bequest (by the Mortlock family) to the people of South Australia.”
Martindale Hall was built for the Bowman family in 1879-1880 and is open to the public for self-guided tours.
Among other ideas contained in the Trust’s 15-page document, are:
A RESTORED Coach House hosting displays and demonstrations of horse-drawn vehicles.
A FARM shop and licensed cafe, retail outlet, cellar door, marquee facility for functions and amenities for outdoor events and school camps.
AN EXTENSIVE special events program, including concerts, music, food and wine festivals, garden shows, car rallies, antique road shows and equestrian events.
The proposal would involve partnerships with the private sector, the submission says.
“With this submission we have put forward a very exciting vision for the future,” Prof Etherington said.
The Trust would partner with the UK National Trust to source items from overseas collections for display at Martindale Hall.
Trust CEO Dr Darren Peacock said the venue presently attracted 12,000-15,000 people a year but the Trust aimed to grow that to 100,000 visitors annually, generating $30 million a year via state tourism.
“What’s there now is pretty static and hasn’t changed for 20 years. We reckon we could be self-sustaining within three or four years,” he said.
George Hawker, 67, a fourth-generation descendant of the Hawker dynasty and whose father Richard was trustee of John Mortlock’ s estate, is opposed to any sale of Martindale Hall for private use.
“It is fitting that Martindale Hall is a tribute to our state’s past, and visitor numbers to the Hall over the years have shown that this is a drawcard, not only for the region but for South Australia,” he said.
A Government spokesman said both proposals for Martindale Hall would be assessed to ensure the “best result” for taxpayers.
“We want to see the issue resolved as quickly as possibly without compromising the integrity of the process,” he said.
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