The Marshall Government to save the Gatehouse

The Marshall Liberal Government has come to an agreement with the University of Adelaide to find a solution for the future of the Urrbrae Gatehouse, with the structure to be decommissioned, rebuilt and repurposed.

After taking on board feedback from the broader community and the University of Adelaide, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport have come up with an alternative option that will see the Gatehouse relocated to a new site on Claremont Avenue.

The State Government will proceed with its

compulsory acquisition of land on the University’s Waite campus at the intersection of Fullarton Road and Cross Road, which is where the Gatehouse is currently located, and will pay for the building to be decommissioned and rebuilt.

The University, which has proposed the new location for the Gatehouse, will fund an interior restoration so that the building can serve a useful purpose for future generations.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Corey Wingard, said the new location for the Gatehouse will achieve a result that is satisfactory to all parties.

“We have acknowledged the feedback from the community and from the University and I am pleased to say we have come to a decision that will save the Gatehouse,” Minister Wingard.

“We made the tough call that attempting to move the Gatehouse in one piece was too risky, as with such an old building, there was a real possibility it would crumble during the process.

“The University also agrees that moving the building in its entirety was not straightforward or without significant financial risk.

“This solution also means we save 18 homes and trees with heritage or scientific significance from demolition.

“Importantly, we can also get on with the job of upgrading this dangerous intersection to improve safety and traffic flow for the thousands of motorists who use it every day.”

Member for Unley David Pisoni and Minister for Innovation and Skills said he was pleased to represent the views of the local community to get this positive outcome.

“This option will save the Gatehouse and means we can maintain the history of the building while also creating a functional and usable space which will honour the memory of Peter Waite and potentially include a hub for the university’s valuable volunteers,” said Minister Pisoni.

“As local member, I’m pleased to have played a role that will save 18 private homes and trees with heritage significance from demolition.”

The Morrison and Marshall governments have jointly committed $61 million and $35 million, on a 50:50 basis, to upgrade the Fullarton Road intersections with Cross Road and Glen Osmond Road.

Together both projects will support around 115 jobs per year, averaged over the construction period, forming a key part of the Marshall Liberal Government’s record $16.7 billion infrastructure spend.

It’s expected works on the decommissioning will start in the coming months after going through the SCAP process. The Glen Osmond Road and Fullarton Road Intersection Upgrade is expected to be open to traffic by mid-2022 and the Cross Road and Fullarton Road Intersection Upgrade in late 2022.