Martindale Hall: Community meeting demands clarity on mansion's future
A community meeting has shown strong support for keeping historic Martindale Hall in the mid-north of South Australia open to the public.
The mansion is known to many Australians because it was used in the movie Picnic at Hanging Rock in the 1970s.
Martindale Hall was owned for years by the prominent Mortlock family but when J T Mortlock died in 1950 without an heir, the building was bequeathed to the South Australian Government.
Clare and Gilbert Valley chief executive Roy Blight told 891 ABC Adelaide about 100 people attended the public meeting at Clare on Wednesday night.
"One of the resolutions that came out of last night's meeting that will be considered by council in January will be the call to obtain further clarity from the State Government as to its future intentions for Martindale Hall," he said.
After the lease on the property ended, the SA Government appointed the local tourism operators of the nearby Mintaro Maze as caretakers for two years.
Mr Blight said the Government had sought a commercial operator but not yet found one and was still working on that option.
"They've indicated the next phase beyond the appointment of caretakers is to work through the future operation of Martindale Hall," he said.
"The big issue is around the sustainability of the asset.
"It is a major piece of building work and there's 40 acres around the Martindale Hall proper and that creates a significant development opportunity as well."
No policy to sell heritage assets: Government
The property is costly for the Government to maintain in tough economic times, but it said recently there was no policy to sell the state's heritage assets to bolster the budget bottom line.
Mr Blight said mid-north locals were passionate about the need to find a sustainable future for Martindale Hall.
"It's a very important part of our tourism product for the region ... and it's heavily patronised," he said.
"Council's role in this is as an advocate for the local community. Clearly there is a strong community interest in that it is an iconic property and an important part of our cultural and social heritage and it is featured in our community life in many ways.
"One of the points that was raised and will be put forward to council is to encourage the establishment of a lottery fund, as has been done overseas or in other states, or some other means of community fundraising to support conservation projects for public properties."
He said the council had found the State Government very keen to listen to the community's views on a way forward.
"There's a lot of discussion around conserving Martindale Hall to ensure it is available for future generations in a proper and good manner and also that that public access is retained," he said.
The National Trust said recently it was worried that what was a gift to the state and an important part of its colonial history might be sold off.
It said a private owner might choose not to allow public access.
The previous caretaker said she sought a new lease but was not offered one.
Tracy Waechter ran Martindale Hall as a bed and breakfast venue and museum.
