Grants secured for Wakefield heritage highlights
Hummocks Station owners Andrew and Rosemary Michael in the trap shed.
Wakefield Regional Council has helped secure almost $80,000 in State Government grants spread across three major restoration projects in the region.
Hummocks Station, a unique caravan park, camp site and function centre, received $50,000 through the Heritage Tourism Grants offered through the Department of Environment and Water to support a $150,000 refurbishment of its heritage-listed trap shed.
This overall project at one of South Australia’s first pioneering sheep stations north of Adelaide includes a new toilet facility and renovated trap shed building, establishing a welcome point complete with information displays, historical presentations and wool turning demonstrations for visitors.
Two grant applications were successful through the department’s Heritage Conservation grants.
Balaklava Lions Club received $9000 to support its $18,000 project to replace the sleepers on the Balaklava Turntable in the Railway Corridor.
“The new sleepers will complete a significant stage in the restoration of this once forgotten piece of historic rail infrastructure,” WRC mayor, Rodney Reid said.
“It was previously overgrown with vegetation and largely invisible to passing traffic and definitely inaccessible.
“The new sleepers will make the turntable accessible to the public and form the basis of an appealing visitor stopping point.”
Council received almost $20,000 to go towards a $54,000 refurbishment of the heritage listed Dunn’s Bridge, which is proposed to be closed to vehicle traffic but will remain open as a part of the Shamus Liptrot Cycling Trail.
This bridge is one of five rivetted wrought iron bow string trusses built in the Northern districts between 1879 and 1880 (the others were Kooringa, Merriton, Redruth and Undalya).
Completed in 1880, Dunn’s Bridge was the last of the group and the second largest in terms of span length (25.2m).
“These works will significantly improve the bridge's lifespan and address major structural concerns highlighted in a recent region-wide bridge assessment,” Mayor Reid said.
“It also signals the potential end of an era for Dunn’s Bridge but repurposes it, ensuring it will continue servicing the Balaklava community in a different capacity for years to come.
“All of these projects align closely to goals in our Community Plan, Wakefield 2030, valuing our community’s art and culture and creating a network of attractive and enticing tourist facilities to encourage travellers to stay longer.
“They will build on the work making Wakefield a great place to do business and a great place to belong.”
All projects will be able to commence in the near future once formal grant agreements are signed in coming days.