Premier Peter Malinauskas to introduce special legislation to allow demolition of heritage-listed police barracks for new WCH

Special laws would allow demolition of heritage buildings to make way for the new WCH and save money – as one staunch history defender vows to “stand in front of the bulldozer”.

The state government will introduce special legislation allowing the demolition of the heritage-listed Thebarton Police Barracks to make way for the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the Bill would expedite construction, saving money and avoiding the need for the project to go through other planning processes.

“If we get this legislation through the parliament, the likelihood of realising the 2031 timeline dramatically escalates,” he said.

“And in turn, that actually represents a better outcome for taxpayers too, because every month that goes past, the costs becomes greater.”

If the legislation fails, the government would need to make applications through the planning system, which would include a rezoning request.

Mr Malinauskas on Tuesday said a review had considered six potential locations for the hospital and found the historical site was easily the best.

SA Police has operated from the barracks for the past 105 years but the government insists it is the most logical long-term option, allowing for future expansion of both the new Women’s and Children’s and the Royal Adelaide hospitals.

The police barracks would be knocked down to make way for the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital if the Premier’s Bill passes. Picture Dean Martin

The Greens have already flagged strong opposition to the project, accusing the state government of forcing South Australians to choose between a new hospital and iconic buildings and parklands.

“Surely the government can find another site or alternatives that don’t result in destruction of so much of our city’s heritage,” Greens spokesman Robert Simms said.

“This whole process makes a mockery of our state’s heritage protection processes.”

Opposition Leader David Speirs said his party was yet to form a position on the legislation. SA-BEST was also yet to decide.

Mr Speirs accused Mr Malinauskas of building “Malinauskas monuments” including the new North Adelaide swimming centre, saying the Liberals’ plan for the nWCH was costed and shovel-ready to be completed by 2026 rather than the new plan for 2030-31.

“This is all about the Premier having monuments across the city,” Mr Speirs said, noting “today’s toddlers will be teenagers” before the new hospital opens.

“The proposal appears half baked — it will lead to huge delays and very significant increases in costs,” he said.

“We simply can‘t afford these delays — you can’t trust Labor on health.”

Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn warned it could cost “hundreds of millions of dollars” to maintain the existing WCH for almost a decade.

An undated picture of the Thebarton Police Barracks from the state library. SLSA4

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the move was a chance to consider the organisation’s future.

“This announcement creates a unique opportunity for SAPOL to consider its operational needs and work with affected staff, stakeholders and the government to acquire modern, fit for purpose facilities that will meet organisational needs well into the future,” he said.

“The government has committed $2m for SAPOL to complete the planning work to relocate existing functions.

“The government has made a commitment that there will be no loss of operational capability as a consequence of the relocation of resources.”

South Australian Heritage Council chair Keith Conlon said his first reactions to the site selected were “shock, dismay and disbelief”.

“This major state heritage site should never have even been contemplated as a place for a new hospital, or anything else,” he said.

A horse-drawn historical paddy wagon at the police barracks in 1986.

Police officers demonstrate first aid at the Thebarton barracks in 1921. Picture: State Library [PRG 280/1/23/10

“The government has now set up a tragedy.”

Mr Conlon said the decision to knock down the barracks complex, which contains 10 “buildings of significance”, would destroy community confidence in the state heritage system.

“If this option is pursued, what next? Once the fundamental pillar of complete protection is broken down, what other government buildings sitting on highly desirable acreage might this or a future government knock over?” he said.

“If we do not succeed in persuading the government to choose another option, I will be standing in front of the bulldozers.

“They will be destroying a set of buildings that were listed as State Heritage Places because they gave us a tangible connection with a crucial part of our past and how we’ve got here.”