Adelaide University - Developments & News

[Benski81]

Just putting it out there that I studied at Adelaide Uni and couldn't care less if Union Hall was flattened in the name of progress. Let's hope economics wins out on this one and while they're at it let's see if we can get them to replace the Napier and the Schultz buildings too.

[Will]

What a sorry state of affairs. No wonder nobody wants to invest in SA. They know they wont have any friends in ACC. Hopefully the State Government just overrules the decision, making ACC look even more useless and inept.

Aren't you aware that the state government DAC has the final say for proposals over $10 million?

In essence, the ACC's decision can't stop the proposal. However, it does serve to further steel our reputation as a backwards town.

The sooner we get rid of all of our 23 village councils and replace them with 1 city council the better.

[ChrisRT]

In essence, the ACC's decision can't stop the proposal.

- so they're just grandstanding. Trying to appeal to minority special interest groups but not exercising any real power. All they do is, as you say, send the message to potential investors and developers to take their ideas and money elsewhere.

[AtD]

The loonies are coming out of the woodwork.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010 ... 813955.htm

Heritage listing push for Union Hall
Adelaide's Parklands Preservation Association has joined opponents of demolition of Adelaide University's Union Hall.

It has asked the Heritage Council to impose an interim protection on the site while an application for heritage-listing is considered.

Adelaide University wants to demolish the lecture hall to build a multi-storey teaching block.

Parklands Association president Kelly Henderson says the Heritage Council should see the worth in protecting the site.

"I don't think that there can be any question that the parklands meet the state heritage criteria and so we would hope that the register committee would accept that it is entitled to be assessed," she said.

Ms Henderson says interim protection would be an important first step.

"That would allow the public to comment on whether or not they think the parklands are significant and I think the public of South Australia are entitled to have their say and I think that's a very important process that needs to be commenced upon," she said.

[omada]

I'm surprised at the reaction here toward the groups trying to save Union Hall, I bet if the hall was a Gothic throwback from the 19th Century you'd all be up in arms.

[ChrisRT]

I'm surprised at the reaction here toward the groups trying to save Union Hall, I bet if the hall was a Gothic throwback from the 19th Century you'd all be up in arms.

It's not a particularly note-worthy building, inside and out, so why keep it? Unfortunately Adelaide University has very small grounds so every square inch of land must be put to valuable use. If the building which will replace it could be put somewhere else I would say keep the hall but it can't so I say bring in the wrecking ball (or whatever it is they use these days).

[Omicron]

This hot weather needs to cease immediately so I can go into town and have a proper look at it without dying of heatstroke. Then I'll tell you if it needs to be saved or not.

[Shuz]

The facade ought to be retained; the rest can go. I'm a fan of that 50's red brick look; rather elegant. Is there a name for the architectural style of that time?

[AtD]

This is the only face that looks good:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/in-hindsight/599045841/

The other three faces are entirely unremarkable.

[Shuz]

Yeah, that's the one I was talking about - the facade that ought to be retained. It'd make a great entrance. Looks rather imposing, for a relatively small structure! Hope they can compromise on this outcome, and not one way or the other...

[Port Adelaide Fan]

Union Hall given heritage listing, throwing uni plans into chaos

UNION Hall has been provisionally heritage listed by the South Australian Heritage Council.

The decision throws into disarray the $77 million plans by the University of Adelaide to demolish the hall and build a major new science centre and lecture hall in its place.

The provisional listing affords the hall all the protection of the State Heritage list until after a three-month consultation period has ended.

The decision was announced by council chair Judith Carr.

"The Register Committee has found that Union Hall is a rare example of theatre design representing the mid-20th century functionalist or modernist style," she said.

The council's decision was welcomed by Heritage Minister Jay Weatherill.

"A public notice will be placed in The Advertiser as soon as possible and a formal consultation period will commence for three months from the date of that advertisement before the listing is either confirmed or removed by the SA Heritage Council," Mr Weatherill said.

University of Adelaide vice-chancellor James McWha said yesterday that the Heritage Council decision put at risk a Federal Government grant of up to $58 million, and as much as $230 million of economic benefit to SA over the next 2 1/2 years as the new science facilities were built.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 5828922938

[AtD]

So all the time, effort and federal money that has gone into the design and planning of the project is thrown out the window because we decide it's a significant structure six months after someone suggests something better to do with the site. Now one publicly funded organisation has to battle it out with another.

It's like a plot from Yes Minister

[AG]

I wouldn't jump so quickly to conclude that the new building won't go ahead, but the way things are going it does not look likely. If it does go ahead it won't be for another while yet.

[Schultzy]

*sigh* another absolute pathetic decision. this state is so obssessed with heritage listing pointless buildings. i just do not understand.

im a second year at adelaide uni, and i do not know of anyone that actually enjoys having a lecture in union hall. i dreaded it last year when i had classes in there. as a student of structural engineering things like the new engineering building and hughes plaza developments are some of the things that excite me at the uni, being able to walk around campus see things being constructed and developed, progress. this is just embarassing when an idea comes up to do something useful on a site that is poorly used and dreaded amongst students. when will this city learn to be excited about devlopments rather than finding reasons to prevent it.

[AtD]

From... Saturday I think