MARBLE HILL

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:32): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I rise to inform the chamber of an agreement that will see the former summer residence of South Australia's governors, widely known as Marble Hill, restored to much of its former glory, having been severely damaged by fire in 1955. This is a significant win for South Australia's built heritage.

On 16 May this year I signed a heads of agreement with Dr Patricia Bishop and Mr Edwin Michell regarding their intention to purchase Marble Hill and restore the building, whilst maintaining the heritage value of the site. The heads of agreement stipulate that work will now proceed on a detailed proposal for restoration.

Dr Bishop and Mr Michell intend to invest in Marble Hill's restoration in consultation with a heritage architect and the Department of Environment and Heritage. Most importantly, they have agreed to guarantee public access to the site on at least seven days a year, and construct a small museum as part of the restoration. Both Mr Michell and Dr Bishop have longstanding connections with the Marble Hill area, so it is fantastic to see locals who are prepared to embrace their heritage.

Importantly, I am also told that the proponents are keen to explore the ongoing involvement of the Friends of Marble Hill—a dedicated and passionate community group, in my experience. I would like to acknowledge the incredibly valuable work that the Friends of Marble Hill have done over many years: I acknowledge the value of that work on that site, and their long association with Marble Hill.

If the purchase proceeds, registration on the title of a heritage agreement will make public access, conservation, maintenance and restoration requirements enforceable by a court, while preventing any future subdivision of the land. I would like to use this opportunity, on behalf of the government of South Australia, to thank Dr Patricia Bishop and Mr Edwin Michell for the generous public spirit they have shown in their commitment to buy and restore Marble Hill to its former glory, whilst ensuring that public access to this important historic site will continue.

The agreement has been well received by many in the community. In fact, long-serving local federal member Alexander Downer praised the move and was quoted in the Southern Argus newspaper as saying:

Mr Michell and Dr Bishop's enthusiasm for the project is simply inspiring. Their commitment to the full restoration of Marble Hill completes an unfinished chapter of the history of the Adelaide Hills.

He goes on:

I can guarantee that the local community will be following the restoration with enthusiasm.

These sentiments were shared by the National Trust of South Australia which, through its newsletter, recently wished Dr Bishop and Mr Michell the best of luck on the project. The National Trust goes on to suggest that this agreement will provide a source of funds in order to make the house habitable again. Making the house habitable will give it a use and purpose, thus encouraging its continuing maintenance and upkeep. The trust further states:

...there are two fundamental objectives in relation to Marble Hill. These are to ensure that the building and its grounds are properly conserved and that the house remains accessible to the public. The heads of agreement clearly envisages that these objectives will be permanent conditions binding on all future owners (and) will be legally enforceable...

It goes on:

...provided the heritage agreement can ensure that all future owners must maintain the property and provide public access and there are strong and legally enforceable sanctions should the owner default, the process can only be to the benefit of the community and the house itself.

A response quoted in the Courier from one of the many volunteers more closely involved with the site in recent years, the secretary of the Friends of Marble Hill and president of the Cherryville Residents Association, Malcolm Dallwitz, also states:

Most people are looking forward to Edwin and Patricia making it into a beautiful home again.

The sale price of the property will be set after independent evaluation. This government has been able to reach an agreement that will see Marble Hill brought back to life after 53 years for all South Australians, and I am proud of that achievement.