Martindale Hall, used in Peter Weir’s Picnic at Hanging Rock, could be sold, warns National Trust

MARTINDALE Hall is under renewed risk of privatisation with State Government planning to remove barriers to the sale of the publicly-owned mansion, the National Trust says. What do you think - VOTE NOW

National Trust of SA chief officer Dr Darren Peacock, with Burra resident Morgan Mudge, said the Government is planning to remove barriers to the sale of Martindale Hall. Picture: Tom Huntley

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MARTINDALE Hall is under renewed risk of privatisation with the State Government planning to remove barriers to the sale of the publicly-owned mansion, the National Trust of SA says.

Trust chief executive Dr Darren Peacock said the Government has drafted legislation to strip the 137-year-old State heritage-listed property’s conservation park status and extinguish a charitable trust created when the mansion and grounds were gifted to the Government.

“In this way the Government would remove obstacles to the privatisation of the property and no longer have to abide by the conditions imposed by the charitable trust,” he said.

“We have advised the Government that we have serious concerns about both actions.

“We are very concerned that the precedent of destroying charitable trusts by legislation may discourage future donors from making public benefactions, such as that which put Martindale Hall into public hands.”

He said it was his understanding none of the state’s 300-odd conservation parks had ever been “degazetted” other than to be upgraded into National Park protection and that such a move with Martindale Hall would set an “alarming precedent”.

He said the Government had wanted to put the legislation before Parliament last year but that it had told his organisation that it would reintroduce the legislation if re-elected.

The Advertiser revealed the Environment Department had rejected rival bids by a private consortium and the National Trust to redevelop the grounds on the basis the proposals breached terms of the charitable trust which prevented “modernising of the hall’s facilities and redevelopment of its grounds”.

Warrick Duthy.

Wine identities Warren Randall and Warrick Duthy had proposed to turn the estate into an exclusive five-star luxury resort sparking a competing plan by the Trust to maintain public access by establishing a space for international and national art exhibitions together with an adventure playground and re-created 19th century pleasure garden

The Mortlock family bequeathed part of the estate to Adelaide University who in turn handed the hall and 19ha of land to the Government in 1986.

A spokeswoman for Environment Minister Ian Hunter did not specifically address whether the Government had drafted legislation rather that it had held discussions with the National Trust, Opposition leader Steven Marshall and his Environment spokesman David Speirs “about the possibility of removing the trust via legislation to allow more flexibility in the use of Martindale Hall.”

She said the National Trust was opposed to any removal of the charitable trust.

“The possibility of legislation was discussed but it was decided to continue with the current arrangements which satisfy the conditions of the trust,” she said.

“Regardless of the existence or not of a charitable trust, the site will always remain State Heritage-listed and will always be protected by that listing.

“We want Martindale Hall to fulfil its potential in delivering significant benefits to the community while sharing its stories and heritage with a new generation. We remain committed to this vision and will continue working towards this long term goal.”

Mr Speirs confirmed that the Government had intended to present legislation last year affecting Martindale Hall but it either “died” or they “lost interest”.

He said the Liberal party would not remove the charitable trust if elected.

“We are happy to work with National Trust at how to maximise a facility like Martindale Hall, but I can’t make a commitment whether we would sell it or transfer it to the National Trust,” he said.