Marble Hill, South Australia: Difference between revisions
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The proponents intend to explore avenues for the continuing involvement of the Friends of Marble Hill. |
The proponents intend to explore avenues for the continuing involvement of the Friends of Marble Hill. |
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[[July 23]] [[Australian Democrats]] Hon [[Sandra Kanck]] MLC said & wrote, "This is a magnificent structure on a fine expanse of land in a beautiful setting. It should have stayed in public hands for everyone to enjoy. Prior to the sale, the [[Friends of Marble Hill]] were tossing around ideas, such as developing a [[Sovereign Hill]] inspired sound and light show based on the 1956 bushfire. This would have made Marble Hill a major tourist attraction and, with the right management, could have brought it close to self sufficiency. That is the sort of proposal that should have emerged from the government's call for expressions of interest in the future management of Marble Hill. The way that process morphed into a deal for the sale of Marble Hill has left a bad taste in the mouths of South Australians, who want to see our heritage preserved and accessible, and it was deeply upsetting to the Friends of Marble Hill. I remind members of what Minister Gago said on 26 July 2007—almost a year ago—in response to a question from the Hon. [[David Ridgway]] about the process. She said: |
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Expressions of interest have been sought to encourage the widest range of innovative proposals for the future management of Marble Hill that will provide— |
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and listen to this— |
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for future public access while conserving the heritage significance of the site. |
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Somewhere along the way this shrank to a private sale. It is a matter of constant amazement to me that the richer we as a society grow the more our imagination shrinks." ... |
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"The final word and graphic example of how the government views this process should go to Ernie McKenna, the President of the Friends of Marble Hill, who sent out an email to supporters early last week. It states: |
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On Sunday 13th July 2008 I, as President on behalf of Friends of Marble Hill, locked up the ruin and closed the site to the public for the last time. We had 500 visitors come and thank me for what the group has done over near 15 years. This was a very difficult and emotional time for me personally. A number of visitors were unhappy that 'Good News Mike' or [[Gail Gago]] had not made a special appearance with the media to thank me and the volunteers personally for what we have done. I simply replied, 'Well it can't be good news then!' I do find the attitude of the state government in not making the effort appalling. The thank you was left to [[Peter Goers]] and ABC interviewer [[Ashley Walsh]] and some of the general public. I would also point out that local member [[Lindsay Simmons]] who was going to visit never attended. |
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I support the second reading and this bill." |
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[http://sa.democrats.org.au/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1547 Marble Hill Protection Bill] |
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[[August 5]] Tuesday, the [[South Australian Liberal Party]] initiated Marble Hill Protection Bill passed through the South Australian Legislative Council, with the support of 3 Independents. The [[ALP]] SA Governmnet "badgered" Hon [[Michelle Lensink]] [[MLC]] about it for 45 minutes during the committee stage (''pers. comm.''). "I think they're not very happy about the bill! They were also trying to imply that if the if the bill got through, the deal may fall through, which I think is just a furphy." |
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SA Liberal Party Opposition Leader [[Martin Hamilton-Smith]] [[MLA]] will introduce it in September in the [[South Australian House of Assembly]]. |
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[http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/B/CURRENT/MARBLE%20HILL%20(PROTECTION)%20BILL%202008_HON%20MICHELLE%20LENSINK%20MLC.aspx Marble Hill (Protection) Bill 2008] |
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House of Assembly—No 143 |
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As received from the Legislative Council and read a first time, 24 July 2008 |
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LC GP 203-C: the Hon Michelle Lensink MLC 1 |
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South Australia |
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Marble Hill (Protection) Bill 2008 |
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A BILL FOR |
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An Act to provide for the preservation, management and use of Marble Hill; and for other |
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purposes. |
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Marble Hill (Protection) Bill 2008 |
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Contents |
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2 LC GP 203-C: the Hon Michelle Lensink MLC |
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Contents |
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1 Short title |
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2 Interpretation |
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3 Preservation of Marble Hill |
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4 State Heritage significance |
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5 Heritage agreement |
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6 Dealing with land |
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7 Endorsement on land record |
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The Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows: |
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1—Short title |
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This Act may be cited as the Marble Hill (Protection) Act 2008. |
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2—Interpretation |
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In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears— |
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Heritage Minister 5 means the Minister to whom the administration of the Heritage |
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Places Act 1993 has been committed; |
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Marble Hill means the whole of the land within Pieces 102 and 103 in Deposited |
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Plan 70336 and described in Crown Record Volume 5983 Folio 923; |
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Marble Hill building means, according to the context— |
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10 (a) a building located on any part of Marble Hill at the time of the enactment of |
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this Act; |
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(b) a building located on any part of Marble Hill that has been improved or |
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restored (whether before or after the enactment of this Act). |
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3—Preservation of Marble Hill |
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15 (1) Marble Hill must be kept reasonably available as a community facility for the benefit |
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of South Australians and visitors to the State. |
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(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent— |
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(a) the improvement or restoration of any Marble Hill building; or |
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(b) the use of any part of Marble Hill (or Marble Hill building) for any of the |
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20 following purposes (so long as the principle established in subsection (1) is |
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maintained): |
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(i) for functions or ceremonies; |
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(ii) for tourism purposes; |
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(iii) for educational purposes; |
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25 (iv) for festivals or special events; |
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(v) as a museum, gallery or other exhibition site; |
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(vi) for conferences, seminars or similar events; |
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(vii) for accommodation purposes; |
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Marble Hill (Protection) Bill 2008 |
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LC GP 203-C: the Hon Michelle Lensink MLC 3 |
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(viii) for hospitality purposes; |
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(ix) for any other purpose approved by the Heritage Minister with the |
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concurrence of the South Australian Heritage Council. |
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(3) The person in occupation of Marble Hill must ensure that Marble Hill is open to the |
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public on a 5 t least 10 occasions, for at least 4 hours (between 9 am and 5 pm) on each |
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occasion, in any calendar year. |
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4—State Heritage significance |
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Marble Hill must not be removed from the South Australian Heritage Register. |
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5—Heritage agreement |
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10 (1) After the commencement of this Act, an approved heritage agreement that relates to |
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Marble Hill must be noted against the relevant instrument of title before the whole or |
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any part of Marble Hill, or the whole or any part of an interest in Marble Hill, may be |
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transferred. |
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(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), an approved heritage agreement is a heritage |
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15 agreement under Part 6 of the Heritage Places Act 1993 that has been authorised by a |
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resolution of both Houses of Parliament. |
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(3) A heritage agreement entered into for the purposes of subsection (1) must not be— |
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(a) varied so as to provide for a significant variation; or |
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(b) terminated, |
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20 unless the variation or termination (as the case may be) has been authorised by a |
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resolution of both Houses of Parliament. |
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(4) Notice of a motion for a resolution under this section must be given not less than |
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14 sitting days before the motion is passed. |
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6—Dealing with land |
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25 (1) Subject to compliance with the preceding sections, the whole or any part of Marble |
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Hill, or the whole or any part of an interest in Marble Hill, may be leased or |
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transferred. |
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(2) A person or body in occupation of any part of Marble Hill may exclude members of |
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the public from a part of Marble Hill for any purpose related to— |
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30 (a) health or safety; or |
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(b) the preservation of any Marble Hill building; or |
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(c) any other matter relevant to the proper management, conservation or |
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protection of Marble Hill or a Marble Hill building. |
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7—Endorsement on land record |
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35 The Registrar-General must endorse on any instrument or record of title or Crown |
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holding for any part of Marble Hill a memorandum to the effect that Marble Hill is |
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subject to the operation of this Act. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 01:00, 10 August 2008
Marble Hill was the Vice-Regal summer residence for the Governor of South Australia from 1880 to 1955. It is located about 20km east of Adelaide between the towns of Ashton and Cherryville, with expansive views of the Adelaide Hills and Adelaide Plains.[1] It was destroyed during the "Black Sunday" bushfire of 1955. The site was managed by the National Trust from 1967-1992, and the Friends of Marble Hill from 1994-2008.
Vice-Regal summer residence
Marble Hill was built in 1878-79, replacing the first Vice-Regal country residence at Government Farm (now in Belair National Park). Governor William Jervois was instrumental in securing government expenditure. The architect was William McMinn. His design was of the Victorian Gothic Revival style, adapted for Australian conditions by the addition of large verandahs and balconies. The sandstone used for construction was sourced from local quarries. A budget overrun led the Hon. G. C. Hawker (the Commissioner of Public Works) to invite South Australian Parliamentarians to see the competed structure in December 1879. Seeing the magnificence of the building, they were convinced that the money had been well spent. [2]
Marble Hill comprised 26 main rooms, although the original design called for 40. Interior decoration was Victorian, but with relatively little intricate detail. There was no ballroom nor grand dining hall. It was intended to be a retreat from the summer heat of the Adelaide Plains, rather than a primary residence.
Marble Hill's location at the peak of a tall, densely wooded ridge meant that bushfire was a regular threat. Lord and Lady Tennyson were in residence during the bushfires of 1901. King George V and Queen Mary as Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York visited later in 1901.[3]
The house escaped destruction in 1912 when the visiting English cricket team, having been invited for dinner, were able to help beat back the flames.[4] The house was threatened again during the fires of 1939.
Black Sunday Bushfire, 1955
On the 2nd of January, 1955, the temperature was 36°C (96° Fahrenheit) at 7:00 in the morning, and many bushfires soon broke out in the Hills.[5] By 1pm, the temperature had risen to 42°C (107°F) and gale force winds pushed a raging bushfire up the ridge to the north of Marble Hill. The malthoid used to waterproof the verandahs and the seaweed used for insulation in the roof were easily ignited, and the house was soon on fire. The governor, Sir Robert George and the rest of the household struggled to save the building, but it was totally engulfed by flame with astonishing speed. By this time the bushfire had completely surrounded the residence, making escape impossible.
At the prompting of Sir Robert, the fifteen people remaining at Marble Hill sheltered under wet blankets in the lee of a retaining wall while the fire swept over them and totally destroyed the house. A car parked outside was showered with molten lead from the tower roof. They sheltered for around two hours before rescuers were able to reach them. A servant's cat also survived by sheltering in the cellar. [2]
After the fire
In September 1955 the Government of South Australia announced it would not rebuild Marble Hill.
In 1967, the property was dedicated to the National Trust of South Australia as a public reserve.
In 1973, restoration work was commenced on the stables, the coach house, and the coachman's cottage. The chief supervisor was Mr Ted Eling. Marble Hill was reopened as a ruin in 1975. In 1979, the tower restoration was completed.
During the 1980s, the CFS used the tower as a bushfire lookout.
In 1992, the National Trust closed the site to the public due to insufficient funding. In 1994, the volunteer group Friends of Marble Hill took over administration of the site. The Friends undertook maintenance of the building and the surrounding bush, as well as opening the site to the public once per month.[3]
The 1998 Danvers Report investigated the structural integrity of the ruins and the possibility of reconstruction.[citation needed]
Reconstruction
On March 5 2007 the State Government announced it was seeking expressions of interest for the development and management of Marble Hill. The call for submissions was published in the SA Government Gazette, The Advertiser, and the Department of Environment and Heritage Minister Gail Gago's media release. Twelve interested parties approached the Government. One expression of interest was submitted by the closing date of April 27.
On May 16 2008 the State Government signed a Heads of Agreement with Dr Patricia Bishop and Mr Edwin Michell for the future sale and reconstruction of Marble Hill.[6] Key conditions of the agreement include:
- A commitment to "substantially restore the residence under guidance of a heritage architect"
- Prevention of subdivision
- Public access on at least seven days per year (3 open days and 4 pre-booked)
- A Heritage Agreement on the certificate of title, ensuring future owners will also be bound by these conditions.
The proponents intend to explore avenues for the continuing involvement of the Friends of Marble Hill.
References
- ^ South Australia - Marble Hill - Vice-regal Ruin In Park Setting
- ^ a b Cooper, Ashley, "Marble Hill: South Australian Vice Regal Summer Residence 1879-1955", National Trust of Australia, 1973
- ^ a b http://www.geocities.com/fomh2001/timeline.htm Friends of Marble Hill website
- ^ Postcards - Feature: Marble Hill
- ^ The Friends of Marble Hill
- ^ News - Premier & Ministers of South Australia
34°55′05″S 138°45′25″E / 34.918°S 138.757°E Coordinates: Extra unexpected parameters