Sensational-Adelaide.com

Will wrote:I was wondering whether it would be a good idea to create a new thread for the proposed science building. I think it would be a good idea considering that it is an independent and significant project, and thus worthy of its own thread.

Will wrote:From the 10th floor of the Schulz Building at Uni of Adelaide:

Union Hall demolition proposal

DANIEL WILLS POLITICAL REPORTER
January 18, 2010 12:00am


HISTORIC Union Hall should be demolished to make way for a $25 million education complex, an Adelaide City Council report recommends.

Council's Development Assessment Panel meets tonight to consider the proposal, just over a month after councillors called for the 50-year-old theatre to be heritage listed.

Council documents show the University of Adelaide plans to replace the hall with a six-storey building featuring a lecture theatre, cafe, offices, research laboratories and meeting rooms.

At 26m, it exceeds maximum height guidelines in council rules.

ACC planning officer Edouard Pool's report recommends demolition and claims the new complex will complement existing buildings on campus.

Approval should be granted to help meet growing student demand, the report states.

The DAP is comprised of councillors and industry experts and will provide advice to the state's Development Assessment Commission, which has the ultimate power of approval.

The DAC is scheduled to meet on Thursday but no agenda for the meeting, which is closed to the public, has been released.

Save Union Hall spokesman Andrew Cawthorne questioned the "logic" of the report, given it was "widely known" the building was being assessed for inclusion on the State Heritage Register.

"Adelaide City councillors, reflecting widespread community concern over the destruction of Union Hall, have already made their position clear by formally seeking State Heritage listing for it," he said.

"Any decision regarding the university's plans for the Union Hall site should be deferred until the outcome of the Heritage Council's deliberations are known."

He said a ruling was expected by early next month.

"We contend that Union Hall clearly meets the criteria for State Heritage listing and should be protected for its social, cultural and architectural merit," he said.

"An equally important issue is whether we as a community are going to let the University of Adelaide destroy one of the city's best theatres and our reputation as a centre of excellence for the performing arts."

Adelaide City Councillor and former DAP member Sandy Wilkinson forecast the State Heritage Council would be "true to form" and deny listing.

"They have never listed a building that is under immediate threat of demolition and have always taken the politically soft option," he said.

"If were on the DAP, I would move for deferral pending State Heritage assessment.

"I think new building is out of character with University of Adelaide environs."

The new building is expected achieve a five-star green rating through inclusion of energy-efficient heating, stormwater collection and solar panels.

The university's application includes a heritage assessment by DASH Architects which finds that the new building will not diminish the character of the nearby Barr Smith Library.

Council rejects Union Hall demolition plan
The City Council's development assessment panel has rejected Adelaide University's redevelopment plan which involves demolition of Union Hall.

The University wants to build a $25 million science building, which would include a new lecture theatre and research facilities.

Shanti Ditter from the council says the decision was based on the proposed building's design and height.

"In the debate there was substantial level of discussion about the need for the Union Hall building to be heritage listed but ultimately the decision was based, was not on any factor relating to heritage because the assessment has to be made on the provisions of the development plan," she said.

A final decision will be made by the South Australian Government's Development Assessment Commission because the project is worth more than $10 million.

Council body rejects proposal
AARON MACDONALD, DANIEL WILLS
January 19, 2010 12:02am

DEMOLITION of Union Hall to allow building of a $25 million education centre should be blocked, an Adelaide City Council panel has voted.

ACC's Development Assessment Panel last night unanimously threw out a report prepared by council staff recommending demolition.

Council documents show the University of Adelaide plans to raze the historic hall and replace it with a six-storey building featuring a cafe, offices, research laboratories, meeting rooms and a 420-seat lecture theatre.

Applause from a large public gallery greeted the vote.

Councillor Anne Moran said the 50-year old building, on the northern side of the university campus, was a "much-loved thread of our culture".

"It is absolutely scandalous that it is not heritage listed," she said.

"Sometimes a building is more important than the sum of its parts."

The DAP is comprised of councillors and independent industry experts. As the development is valued over $10 million, it can only provide advice to the state Development Assessment Commission, which has the final power of approval.

DAP member and respected architect Rob Cheesman said the hall was a "pivotal" site on the university campus.

"It doesn't dominate. It allows the space to flow through," he said.

"What you see here (in the development) is an offend to the masterplan, an affront to the Barr Smith Library.

"This development offends the history of this campus. This is a very sad outcome."

ACC planning officer Edouard Pool's report recommended demolition and claims the new complex will complement existing buildings on campus.

Approval should be granted to help meet growing student demand, the report states.

Save Union Hall member Sandy Biar said the result was heartening.

"It's good to see Adelaide City Council exercising some common sense," he said,

"Sense that's not so common among the University."

Just over a month ago, councillors called for the theatre to be heritage listed.

The South Australian Heritage Council is expected to make a decision on the heritage status of the theatre on February 8, three days before DAC is expected to consider the fate of Union Hall.

Yesterday afternoon, councillor and former DAP member Sandy Wilkinson told ABC Radio he expected the DAC to "rubber stamp" the proposal and allow demolition.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Save Union Hall spokesman Andrew Cawthorne questioned the "logic" of the council report, given it was "widely known" the building was being assessed for inclusion on the State Heritage Register.

"Any decision regarding the university's plans for the Union Hall site should be deferred until the outcome of the Heritage Council's deliberations are known," he said.

"We contend that Union Hall clearly meets the criteria for State Heritage listing and should be protected for its social, cultural and architectural merit.

"An equally important issue is whether we as a community are going to let the University of Adelaide destroy one of the city's best theatres and our reputation as a centre of excellence for the performing arts."

The new building is expected achieve a five-star green rating through inclusion of energy-efficient heating, stormwater collection and solar panels.

The university's application includes a heritage assessment by DASH Architects which finds that the new building will not diminish the character of the nearby Barr Smith Library.