20 April 2023
The Planning Minister would be given the power to bring neglected heritage buildings up to scratch and force the owner to foot the bill under a new Greens plan.
“North Terrace is currently resembling a ghost town, with many of our beautiful heritage buildings falling into disrepair and remaining vacant. Across the state we are seeing many once majestic heritage buildings becoming a blight as they fall victim to demolition by neglect. This is a sad state of affairs”, said Greens Planning and Heritage Spokesperson Robert Simms MLC.
“It’s time to strengthen our heritage protection laws to ensure that our iconic heritage buildings are not lost to future generations.”
The Greens are drafting a bill that would allow the Planning Minister to direct owners of heritage buildings to undertake specified works to bring the buildings up to scratch. If this doesn’t occur, the Minister would have the power to step in and undertake the works and send the bill to the developer. Alternatively, the Minister could reach an agreement with the owner to put the building to public use (including museum spaces, public meeting halls, offices, housing) in exchange for the government undertaking the works.