Sensational-Adelaide.com

THE community want access to a sprawling state heritage-listed farm in Adelaide’s south — sports grounds, a natural burial site and wedding venue are just some ideas for its use.

There is a new call for the gates of Glenthorne Farm to be thrown open to unlock the potential for a tourism and recreation hub.

A report released by the Friends of Glenthorne Farm this month details the vision for the 208ha O’Halloran Hill property, which is bordered by Majors Rd, Main South Rd and the Southern Expressway.

Walking and cycling tracks, picnic areas, a history trail, school camps and a precinct for festivals, such as the Tour Down Under, are among the ideas for the land.

The report also states the site, owned by the University of Adelaide, would be an ideal place for weddings, a produce market and natural burial ground.

Marion councillors voted this month to approach the university, Friends of Glenthorne Farm and State Government officials to finally get action at the site.

Marion Mayor Kris Hanna, who has long campaigned to allow more public access to the land, said it was time to take action after years of talk.

“The uni has had the property now for 14 years and there has been virtually no change ... apart from the decay of heritage buildings,” Mr Hanna said.

“We would like to work with them to develop the future of Glenthorne.

“(The) council has decided to initiate the discussion.”

Friends secretary Alan Burns said revegetation and restoration of the heritage buildings was needed to preserve the site’s rich history.

The state’s first police commissioner, Major Thomas O’Halloran, settled the land in 1839, and many of the buildings from the 1850s still stand on the property.

“It’s wonderful that the council has stepped up to start discussions,” Mr Burns said.

“If we can’t get something to happen now, it’s going to be very difficult in five years’ time to raise this again.

“It just seems to be that the time is right for this to happen.

“We need to get a plan and we need that plan to be universally accepted.”

Calls for more community access to the land, which is used as a sheep farm, have been made for more than a decade with no result.

A community workshop was held in May, involving residents, councillors and government representatives, to come up with a report including short and long-term goals for the site.

A university spokesman said last week the uni had received the report and would need to discuss its proposals with the State Government.


“Following this, the university would be pleased to consult with the local council and community,” the spokesman said.

A Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges spokesman said the Environment Department would also be willing to be involved in discussions.


THE VISION

SPORTS fields

HORSE riding trails

PICNIC and playground areas

DOG park

CAMP sites

HISTORY trail

PRECINCT for festivals such as the Tour Down Under, Womad and outdoor opera

NURSERY and wildlife recovery centre

NATURAL burial ground

OUTDOOR farmers or produce market

VENUE for wedding ceremonies

ACCESS for local school groups as well as excursions and camps

WALKING and bike paths that link with the Southern Expressway

AREAS for bird watching

ACCESS for Scout and Guide groups