Wolf Blass Foundation withdraws offer to buy Hahndorf land from council and build free carpark

One of Adelaide’s most traffic-plagued towns nearly had a new carpark built by a wine icon – without having to do anything.

The land owned by Mount Barker Council in Hahndorf, which was nearly a carpark. Picture Google

An SA wine icon’s plan to give Hahndorf a free 110-space carpark has fallen through because of a crumbling heritage building that needs $1.5m to fix.

The Wolf Blass Foundation has withdrawn its offer to buy rare vacant land in the tourist town from council for $2.3m and build a car park after negotiations faltered over the fate of an empty stone building on the site.

Mount Barker Council bought the land in April last year for $2.3m, eyeing a car park to fix the town’s parking problems.

In November, Wolf Blass proposed his foundation buy the land for the same price and build a carpark, at its own cost, for public use.

The council would have spent about $650,000 to clear the land before the sale. A $1.5m carpark would have offered 110 spaces, or 80 if the heritage building was kept.

The site has a an empty heritage building on the site. Picture Realestate.com

Mr Blass, who is now in his 90s, has a long-term association with the town, which is home to the winemaker’s gallery and museum.

Wolf Blass with his daughter Sharyn at the Adelaide Cup in 2024. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

But foundation trustee John Ashcroft wrote to the council last month to rescind the offer, which in April council voted to accept.

“Wolf Blass supported the idea on the condition that the process was simple and that the council completed the remediation work,” he wrote.

“The process has taken longer than anticipated and now has the added complexity of retaining or redeveloping the house.”

Heritage SA does not support demolition of the stone building, which needs up to $1.5m for adaptive reuse – likely as a retail shop.

Council documents show the foundation would have retained naming rights, the option to run commercial operations such as “tourist train” and may “elect” to charge for parking in peak periods to off-set maintenance and insurance costs.

Main St Hahndorf. Council looking to charge for parking. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Mr Ashcroft said the foundation’s intention was always to keep the carpark free but reserved the right to charge in case circumstances changed.

Council said a Hahndorf carparking plan was anticipated to be finalised by the end of next year.

“The unsolicited proposal from the Wolf Blass Foundation, had it been able to be achieved, would have fast-tracked a public carparking outcome for Hahndorf at a significantly reduced net cost to council,” Natalie Armstrong, general manager planning and regulatory services said.

Councillor Samantha Jones, speaking as an individual, said the land sale was to proceed without public consultation, and the heritage building be demolished, subject to Heritage SA approval.

“That’s what the intention was, there was to be no community engagement or consultation, other than on the development plans (for the carpark),” Ms Jones said.

“There were stringent conditions in the proposal that were non-negotiable and the foundation hadn’t ruled out charging for parking.

“It was just ridiculous, I had serious issues because this was taking place in confidence with no opportunity for public scrutiny.

“I didn’t think it was a good deal for the ratepayers to spend up to $1m to remediate the land, demolish the building, clear the trees and native vegetation and then sell property for what we paid without getting a current valuation.”

The foundation has made similar contributions to a community centre at Norwood Football Club and an event centre at Morphettville Race Course.

Originally published as Wolf Blass Foundation withdraws offer to buy Hahndorf land from council and build free carpark