Waite Gatehouse demolition protest grows as 1000 join campaign at Urrbrae
One of SA’s most revered film figures was among a protest crowd that swelled to close to 1000 in a growing campaign to save the Waite Gatehouse.
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Heritage laws would be rendered meaningless if the historic State Heritage listed Waite Gatehouse Lodge was demolished, a packed rally has been told.
Close to 1000 people gathered on the lawns and surrounds of the gatehouse at the corner of Fullarton and Cross roads on Sunday morning to protest its slated destruction to make way for a wider intersection.
It came as the University of Adelaide received official notification from the State Government that it intended to compulsorily acquire the uni’s land on that corner for the project.
The protest – organised by independent Waite MP Sam Duluk and the Mitcham Historical Society – drew attendees from across Adelaide, including northeastern suburbs independent Frances Bedford and renowned film maker Scott Hicks.
The gatehouse – along with the surrounding land – was bequeathed to the University of Adelaide in 1914 for agricultural science and use as a public park.
The land opposite was left to the State Government to establish Urrbrae Agricultural High School.
Historian and former National Trust of SA president Norm Etherington told the crowd that heritage laws were at a “tipping point” and to demolish the gatehouse would diminish their purpose.
“What is at stake here is not just the bequest of Peter Waite … it’s State Heritage legislation in itself," Mr Etherington said.
“Is anything safe if we let this go? Make no mistake – if this goes, we may as well say goodbye to the heritage legislation in South Australia.”
“If a bureaucrat in the Department of Highways can sign the death warrant for this piece of state heritage, who is to say anything else will be protected?”
George Morgan, who is a descendant of Peter Waite, rallied against the destruction of the building, which he said was a symbol of Waite’s contribution to the “future of the state and the prosperity of its people”
“I wonder, who are these people who would ransack this legacy,” Mr Morgan said.
“I’d ask again – who are these people for whom their only vision of the future goes so far to lay down bitumen and excise land so that traffic may wait 10 seconds less.
“Are there not more imaginative solutions?”
Dr Jennifer Gardner, on behalf of interim Adelaide University vice chancellor Mike Brooks, said the uni was “entirely opposed” to any of its land being taken for the road project.
“The support we’ve seen from the community has been heartening,” Dr Gardner said.
“And we support you.”
The university is likely to pursue legal action to prevent the acquisition of its land.
Film director Scott Hicks, who attended the rally, said destroying the building “sounds like a very expensive solution to a problem most of us can’t actually see”.
“You demolish these historic buildings at your peril and what do you end up with – a terrific road for trucks,” Mr Hicks said.
More than 900 new signatures were collected at the rally for a petition against the demolition.
Mr Duluk plans to deliver the petition to state parliament this month.
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Originally published as Waite Gatehouse demolition protest grows as 1000 join campaign at Urrbrae
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