Noarlunga leri1age S1udy THE CORPORATION OF 'I'I-IE CITY 01<-.. NOARLUNGA Noarlunga Heritage Study Survey and compilation by Lester Firth & Murtoll Pty. Ltd. Commissioned, edited and published by the City of Noarlwzga, for the benefit of the Noar!unga Community. Produced by Planet Publications Ply. Ltd., P.O. Box 52, St. Agnes, S.A. 5097. ISBN 0 9598118 1 8 Foreword The City of Noarlunga consists of both urban and rural sectors with a great percentage of the 60,000 strong community being of differing origins. The Noarlunga Heritage Study may serve to fill a void in the lives and memories of such community mem­ bers, giving them the means by which they can relate to the historical back­ grounds of both the land of their birth and the area in which they have chosen to settle. The buildings and landmarks dotted throughout the district provide all of us with monuments to those pioneers who opened the Noarlunga area and laid the foundations to what has today become a thriving community. This study was undertaken with the aim of researching, documenting and of additional information and local preserving the heritage of the Noar­ knowledge from any source or member lunga area. This publication marks the of the community. completion of the first stage of what I sincerely hope that all residents, is to be a far greater and more compre­ whether they be firmly established hensive programme id entifying all the or new members of the community, elements of local heritage and their will, through this publication, develop significance. a respect and affinity for all elements We are aware of the dificiencies in of our local heritage. the information provided in this publication and are keen to rectify W.M. HUNT, M.B.E., J.P., this position through the acquisition MAYOR. 2 Contents INTRODUCTION ................................................... 5 THE CONSERVATION ETHIC ........................................ 5 DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ....................................5 THE CONSERVATION PROCESS ......................................6 THE BRIEF .......................................................6 SUMMARY OF STUDY METHOD ......................................7 EXPLANATION ....................................................9 RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................. 10 HISTORIC OUTLINE ............................................... I I SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................ 15 ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR INCLUSION ON THE HERITAGE REGISTER ..................................... 16 THE RECOMMENDED ITEMS IN DETAIL. ........................ 20 to 96 CO VER PHOTO: St. Mary's Ronian Catholic Church, Morphett Vale, said to be the oldest Catholic Church in South Aust­ ralia. In the photo. believed taken prior to 1879, are Father (later to becon1e Bishop) Reynolds and Pat­ rick Hi'ggins. 3 During the course of the Noarlunga Heritage Study considerable assistance was received from a number of groups and individ uals who contributed to the Consultant Study their knowledge and personal experience of the area, o r the results Acknowledgements of their own historical or environme n­ tal resea rc h. The Mayor of Noarlunga City, to supply information resulting from The staff of the State Library of Morris Hunt, and the Ald ermen and research work undertaken by the group South Australia, especially in the Councillors of Noarlunga City Council and provided additional information on Archives, ·the Newspaper Reading arc thanked for their va luable contribu­ aspects o f the natural heritage in the Room and the South Australian tions stemming from their local know­ Noarlunga area. Dr. Rupert Best, also Collection, are to be thanked for ledge and personal experience of the of the group, was able to supply im por­ their continued assistance throughout Noarlunga area. Both the Mayor Morris tant factual information concerning the the Study. Hunt and Councillor Harry Cox were aboriginal site at t he Moana sandhills. The Planning Office Staff at the especially helpful in t hi s regard. Noarlu nga City Council Offices pro­ The Morphett Vale Branch of the In the earl y stages of the Study much valuable assistance was given by vided much needed assistance in a n Natio nal Trust of South Australia was organisational capacity, and in hand­ able to supply much docume ntary Mr. Richard Meet lycott in locating and identifying potential heritage items. ling community relations exercises. info rma tion on buildings throughout Mr. Medlycott has been conducting his In particular, Senior Planning Officer, the Noarl unga City area. In particular, own research into the history of the Mr. Jeff Smith should be thanked for the Chairman Mr. Pet er Hosking, Noarlunga area and was able to provide his enthusiastic support. Mr. Gavin Malone and Rev. Conrad much useful historical information and Thanks must also go to all t he Patte rson are thanked for their con­ suggest numerous other sources and people of the City of Noarlunga and tinued and willing assistance. contacts. who willingly gave their time and the Thanks are also due to Mrs. Baxe n­ Mr. Len Moore, former manager of benefit of t heir own knowledge of the dale of the Willunga Branch of the the Pioneer Village Museum at Hack­ history o f fa milies and the neighbour­ National Trust of South Australia for ham, and who now lives in the Noar­ hood generally. her he lp in researching McLaren Vale lunga horseshoe, provided useful in­ h istory. forma tion on the horseshoe area in Mr. R. Schuetze, of t he Southern particular, and suggested con tacts for Howard Murton, Districts Environment Group, was able information on other areas. Lester Firth & Murton Pty. ltd. 4 The South Australian Heritage Act their style and materials, as well as Introduction 1978 provides for the protection and mature vegetation provides a visual enhancement of items important to the diversity, which if treated carefully, can heritage of the State. The Act recog­ be very pleasing. Following the enactment of the nises items of physical, social and South Australian Heritage Act 197 8 cultural heritage and takes into account THE CONSERVATION ETHIC by State Government, the Corporation their inherent aesthetic, architectural, An important element of this Con­ of the City of Noarlunga made the historical or cultural interest. Under the servation Study is the degree to which decision to undertake a comprehensive Act, funds are made available under conservation should be applied in the heritage survey of the area under its certain circun1stances for enhance1nent planning and development of Noar­ administration. of heritage items, while planning con­ lunga. This conservation attitude must The City of Noarlunga comprises trols ensure their preservation. eventually be reflected through both 16,610 hectares, forming a significant planning policies and regulations. These can range from a strictly authentic portion of the Southern Metropolitan THE NEED FOR CONSERVATION Area. Of the 16,610 hectares only approach to an almost casual approach about 33% is urbanised, the remainder The protection of South At1stralia's towards conservation. heritage is important for several rea­ is largely rural. The population in 1976 It is probable that the attitude adop­ sons. In a general way, historic build­ was 4 7,453, a 66% increase on the ted will be moderate and allow a flex­ ings and features provide a tangible and 1971 figures. The 1982 population of ible and rational approach to prevail. physical link with the past and provide Noarlunga is close to 65,000. Noar­ When considering conservation both a sensed permanence and continuity lunga is a major growth area with rapid the benefits and costs need to be ass­ of mans settlement in South Australia. urbanisation occurring north of the essed. In some cases conventional Historic buildings and plaques etc. Onkaparinga River. The urban area regulations and land use zoning prac­ serve to indicate aspects of histo1y and south of the Onkaparinga still has a tices are not entirely satisfactory as a heritage taught in the State education holiday or retirement character. means of expressing conservation poli­ curriculun1. The present Noarlunga City is built cies. These are probably more effective­ around five early townships, some, such It is also considered worthy to ly expressed through policies and as Morphett Vale, now almost lost, retain some of the best examples of development guidelines which can while others such as the Noarlunga South Australian history for general influence and encourage the protection horseshoe remain somewhat more in­ interest, to indicate the toil and hard­ of Noarlunga's heritage through imag­ tact. In the light of the rapid develop­ ships suffered by the early pioneers, inative and sensitive new development ment it is appropriate and timely that and to illustrate the way in which or the reuse of old buildings. the Council has initiated actions to building technology has changed over investigate and document the heritage time. DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES of Noarlunga. An ongoing task will be Protection of the State's heritage In an effort to make development to amend planning regulations to take provides opportunities for a more inter­ projects more interesting and to maxi­ account of the recommendations and esting urban environment. The con­ mise the market potential, old buildings findings. trasts between old and new buildings, and mature vegetation can be success- 5 fully in corporated into new develop­ for future surrounding areas to ensure or groupings of buildings worthy