OUR HERITAGE AT RISK - SOUTH AUSTRALIA - 2007

Place:    Pioneer Cottages, 84-86 Walkerville Terrace, Walkerville

Threat:  Neglect, Deteriorastion and Devaluation of Heritage Values

Significance:

These cottages date from the earliest phase of European settlement in South Australia.  In form and construction they are typical, though now rare, settlers' houses.  They were first occupied and owned by Amelia Allen, daughter of the horticulturalist Thomas Allen.  The site has rare archaeological potential being undisturbed for 165 years.

Description of Threat: 

The Walkerville Council recently sold the cottages to a developer (August 2006).  There has been much damage by squatters and attempts to limit further entry have resulted in damage to doors and windows including the original 1840s casement windows.  The front row of rooms is afforded heritage listing by the Walkerville Council however the back row is not listed and there is concern that these rooms may be subject to inappropriate renovation.

Action Required: 

The rear rooms of the cottage should be afforded the same heritage protection by the Walkerville Council ensuring that the rear rooms are not subject to inappropriate renovation.  Ideally the cottage will be restored (not renovated) and subsequently used as any of the following:  residential (including for holiday accommodation), children's library, heritage/colonial education centre, colonial wine shanty or bullocky stop-over, community centre, art gallery, coffee shop, book shop, gift shop.