Media Releases

10 Oct 2009 - Boost SA jobs with $1.5 million for heritage conservation

BOOST SA JOBS WITH $1.5 MILLION FOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION

Federal Environment and Heritage Minister Peter Garrett today announced $1.5 million in Australian Government funding for heritage projects across South Australia.

The funds for heritage conservation work at ten South Australian heritage sites is expected to create up to 47 jobs across the state as part of the Australian Government's $650 million Jobs Fund.

Mr Garrett said the Government will provide $329,000 towards reconstructing the two distinctive western minarets at the Adelaide Mosque.

"The Adelaide Mosque was built in 1889 and had its four minarets added in 1903," Mr Garrett said. "It is significant as one of the few buildings connected to the Afghan immigrants who famously played an important role in developing outback South Australia in the nineteenth century.

"This important project ensures the historic minarets meet building safety codes and are protected from seismic events."

Member for Adelaide Kate Ellis said the investment in local heritage projects will help preserve Adelaide's unique identity and inject much-needed stimulus to the local community.

"This is an investment in Adelaide's history and our future. An injection of $1.5 million across South Australia will deliver long term cultural dividends and create local jobs right now," she said.

Mr Garrett also announced over $326,000 in funding to build a visitors centre and car park at the historic Olivewood Estate outside Renmark.

"This remarkable building was the home of the Canadian-born Chaffey brothers who were instrumental in developing the irrigation schemes of the late 1800s that turned the Riverland into Australia's 'fruit bowl' and it is particularly fitting that their work be appropriately interpreted to educate visitors.

"Increased tourism will also be the focus of a conservation project at Port Pirie which will receive over $253,000," Mr Garrett said.

"Work will focus on repairs and maintenance to the Port Pirie National Trust museum buildings that will improve access for visitors seeking to experience the history and heritage of Port Pirie."

Mr Garrett said facilities and access upgrades in all South Australian projects would have significant employment benefits in both regional and urban areas.

"This work will create an immediate cash injection to local businesses not only by directly employing people but through the purchase of materials required to complete the project works.

"Long term the work will improve protection of the areas and in turn providing flow-on employment and economic benefits," Mr Garrett said.

Other South Australian projects to receive support include:

" $243,357 for repairs to the interior and exterior of several Moonta Mines heritage buildings and to construct walking trails.
" $34,905 for conservation, renovations and repairs to the Gawler museum.

Of the $650 million Jobs Fund, $60 million is available for projects relating to Australia's historic, Indigenous and natural heritage places.

"This is the largest investment ever made in Australian heritage conservation. It recognises the crucial role that heritage conservation can and does play in stimulating the economic health of communities and in turn, the nation," Mr Garrett said.

The $60 million for community heritage projects has been developed in consultation with Senator Bob Brown as part of the Australian Government's Jobs and Training Compact.

These project announcements are part of the second round of the Jobs Fund heritage initiative, with $12.7 million already allocated in round one to more than 30 heritage conservation projects around Australia.

Further announcements will be made in the following weeks about other Jobs Fund heritage projects around Australia.

A list of projects funded in South Australia follows.

Projects funded in South Australia

Adelaide Mosque Reconstruction of Two Western Minarets
Adelaide, SA
$329,000
Reconstruction of minarets for seismic stability, including the rebuilding of the two western minarets using the original materials, to meet current codes.

Ceduna School House Museum Building Repairs and Maintenance
Ceduna, SA
$35,736
Repair and conservation work to buildings on the School House Museum site.

Court House Conservation work
Laura, SA
$111,273
Conservation and work to the Court House and painting of the adjacent Masonic Lodge.

Gawler Museum Renovation
Gawler, SA
$34,905
Conservation, renovations and repairs to the museum building including providing storage and work space for museum 'behind the scene' operations, basic conservation of exterior woodwork, and upgrading old electrical wiring.

Goolwa Project
Goolwa, SA
$59,700
Repairs and conservation work to Goolwa Museum and Railway Superintendent's Cottage and provide new signage and displays.

Holly Cottage Conservation Works
Adelaide Southern Regions, SA
$125,000
Conservation works to Holly Cottage.

Moonta National Trust Buildings and Facilities
Moonta, SA
$243,357
Repairs to interior and exterior of several Moonta Mines heritage buildings and the addition of walking trails.

Olivewood Visitor Centre
Renmark, SA
$326,314
Construction of a visitors centre and car park at Olivewood Estate.

Repairs and Maintenance to Historic Properties in Penola
Penola, SA
$18,938
Internal and external painting of buildings to preserve the fabric and improve the appearance, with internal repairs also to be undertaken.

Repairs and Maintenance to Port Pirie National Trust of South Australia Museum Buildings
Port Pirie, SA
$253,656
Conservation, renovation and repairs to the buildings including reproofing and replacement of gutters, replacement of interior floor coverings and soft furnishings, removal of bird droppings and bird infestation of buildings, repairing cracks, crumbling chimneys, replacing unstable paving and restoring damaged stonemasonry.