State government scraps plan to construct office space at Ayers House, vows to return National Trust of SA to historic property

The state government has scrapped plans to build offices at a historic property — and vowed to return it to the state’s National Trust.

The state government has scrapped plans to construct office space at Ayers House, making good on a promise to return the historic property to the National Trust of South Australia.

A $7.56m restoration of the state heritage-listed building, developed under the previous government, will be comprehensively reviewed to ensure funding is spent appropriately.

The upgrade will still involve heritage restoration and disability access, but the new government will not proceed with a controversial plan to evict the National Trust and relocate government-run History Trust of SA administrative offices into the building.

A contract to build the new offices has already been cancelled, Environment Minister Susan Close said.

Instead, once the work is complete, the National Trust will move back into the property, which had been its home for nearly 50 years.

The trust will then open the property to the wider community, including tourists and schools.

Artist impressions of the Ayers House revamp, which were supplied by the previous government. The upgrade will still involve heritage restoration and disability access.

Dr Darren Peacock, chief executive of National Trust SA, was involved in a campaign to overturn a decision to evict the group from Ayers House. Picture: Matt Turner.

The future of Ayers House became an election issue after there was significant community backlash to the former government’s 2021 announcement that the National Trust’s lease at the property would be terminated.

The group began legal proceedings in a bid to block its eviction, but then-environment minister David Speirs said the action was eventually discontinued.

Ms Close said the government would support both the groups – the National Trust and History Trust – which she said each make important contributions to protecting heritage in South Australia.

She said the government would work with the National Trust to ensure Ayers House remains a site that brings the state’s history to life.

“The former government waged war with those who care about heritage, including approving the demolition of Shed 26 in Port Adelaide and of the state heritage-listed Waite Gatehouse, and evicting the National Trust after it spearheaded community campaigns against these decisions,” she said.

“In contrast, the Labor government will work respectfully with all who care about the history of our state.”

Adelaide MP Lucy Hood said the National Trust has worked tirelessly to protect and promote heritage in SA.

“Like so many beautiful buildings in our city, Ayers House has a rich history – and that must be protected,” she said.

Ayers House was the family home of SA colonist Sir Henry Ayers, who was premier on five separate occasions.

It has been used as an open-air theatre, RSL headquarters, a nurse training centre and, finally, a public museum run by the National Trust.