FAQs
- Providing visitor experiences
- Protecting and enhancing heritage, cultural and natural values.
What is a park management plan and how does it guide management of this park?
Park management plans are the main strategic document, under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, used to manage protected areas in South Australia. They set the strategic direction, contain information on park values and threats, and outline the objectives and strategies for how parks will be managed.
The park covered in this plan will be managed primarily for heritage and conservation while supporting public use, enjoyment and education about the park's purpose and significance. The specific actions required to deliver the strategies, including any heritage assessments, are planned separately in accordance with resources available.
Why is Martindale Hall, which is on the South Australian Heritage Register, managed as a conservation park?
The property and accompanying 19 hectares of land was gifted to the state government by the University of Adelaide in 1986.
In 1991, the land was proclaimed as the Martindale Hall Conservation Park under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to protect and share its historical and cultural significance, as well as to ensure the conservation of the surrounding natural environment.
Will the Hall and its grounds always be available for public use and enjoyment?
Martindale Hall, which includes its adjacent heritage assets and the land it sits on, was proclaimed a Conservation Park under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 in 1991. This means that the park will be protected or preserved for the purpose of conserving any wildlife or the natural or historic features within the park whilst balancing public use and enjoyment.
In addition, one of the 3 key visitor experience principles outlined in the draft plan is to honour the gift of Martindale Hall to the state by ensuring that it remains accessible for the people of South Australia to enjoy and appreciate.
What are the future uses and development opportunities for the Hall and its adjacent heritage assets on the park?
The potential future uses and development at Martindale Hall document contains some hypothetical uses and development examples to demonstrate what would and wouldn't be supported.
What leasing and licensing limitations might apply to activities permitted on the park?
Any leasing and licensing ventures will be privately operated and managed under arrangements with the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water. Responsibilities of maintenance and repair of the buildings and other infrastructure like the septic tank, fire detection, painting of exterior and interior of buildings and maintenance of roads and fences will all be outlined in the lease agreement, determined on a case by case scenario.
Conditions of any lease/license will ensure that the general public are still be able to access and enjoy the conservation park grounds, including the Hall and its heritage assets. The Martindale Hall Conservation Park management plan, in addition to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, Heritage Places Act 1993 (SA) and Native Vegetation Act 1991 all need to be referred to when determining leasing and licensing limitations.
How will the collections inside the hall be managed?
The collections within the Hall are of state and local importance with many objects listed on the South Australian Heritage Register and protected under the Heritage Places Act 1993. A Material Contents Policy is under development by the department and will set out protocols to ensure the preservation and safeguarding of the collections at Martindale Hall for future generations.
What are the key priorities for management for this park?
The management of Martindale Hall Conservation Park will focus on preserving and protecting the state heritage listed property, while also facilitating tourism opportunities that complement the heritage values within a conservation park landscape.
The plan has been built around 2 key themes:
These themes set the scene for the objectives and strategies that will guide long-term protection, enjoyment and collaboration with partners within the park.
What is the ‘heritage curtilage’?
A heritage curtilage refers to the area of land surrounding a historic building or site that is considered to be historically significant. This recognises the setting of a building and its contribution to the landscape. The area of ground directly connected with the heritage value of the Hall has been delineated to ensure that, for example, certain viewpoints of the Hall are not permanently impacted.
You can view the Martindale Hall heritage curtilage on page 4 of the draft management plan.
What consultation has occurred to develop this draft management plan?
The draft plan has been developed following key stakeholder workshops which informed guiding principles for management of Martindale Hall.
These guiding principles have informed the development of this draft management plan.
Early consultation on this draft plan has also been undertaken with the National Trust of SA.
Could Martindale Hall be sold to a private organisation and be used for other purposes?
Under this draft plan, Martindale Hall will remain a conservation park and available for the people of South Australia to enjoy. The Hall and surrounds may be leased or licenced for uses that are in accordance with the park management plan and Heritage Conservation Policy (currently in development). Sale of the property is not contemplated.
Who will manage Martindale Hall?
As a conservation park, the South Australian Government is responsible for the protection and management of the Hall.
The Hall is currently managed day-to-day under a caretaker arrangement.
Any future use of the Hall for tourism or commercial purposes will specify management responsibilities through the leasing or licencing arrangement, in accordance with the park management plan, heritage policies and principles that have been established.
