Will Hunter, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
It is feared a historic crane located on an allotment listed for sale as part of a Department for Infrastructure and Transport land disposal in Port Wakefield may be at risk.
The allotments — formerly home to the Port Wakefield railway yard — were listed for sale with Ray White Yorke Peninsula after Wakefield Regional Council advised DIT it had no interest in acquiring any of the land identified for disposal.
The heritage-listed crane contributed to the export of copper ore from the region and is one of few lasting artefacts which pay homage to the town’s railway infrastructure.
Former deputy chief magistrate Dr Andrew Cannon said he is concerned not enough thought has been put into the long-term preservation of the crane once the land is sold to a private entity.
“Port Wakefield is a hidden gem of our history and more can be done to raise awareness of the pivotal role it played in the history of our state,” he said.
“The crane is one of the few remaining parts of this historic infrastructure.
“It would be appropriate for them (DIT) to put aside some of the proceeds of the sale to respectfully preserve this important historic crane.”
Dr Cannon said it should be up to the Port Wakefield community to decide how the crane is best preserved.
“They should decide whether the location is most important, or whether the crane could be moved to somewhere more prominent and properly preserved and placed for all to see,” he said.
“Mining and agriculture have been, and still are, the key economic bases of our economy — we need to respect and preserve the remaining artefacts of that joint history.
“Perhaps we should start planning now for SA’s 200th birthday celebrations in 2036 and aim to give Port Wakefield its deserved place as an important part of our history.”
A DIT spokesperson recognised the existing crane is located on the site being sold and said it is not unusual for heritage listed items to be located on private land.
“If the buyer wishes to use the site for a residential development, then the new owner will need to gain relevant development approvals,” the spokesperson said.
“Like anyone else, they would be required to adhere to their obligations under the Heritage Act.”
This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 4 October 2023.
