DISAPPEARING HISTORY

So many places, houses, are being demolished and I am trying to keep up with them as much as possible.  Hoping to have a picture of each home before it is demolished.  Did hope the council could have a photo of each home included with each planning application, but I think that could be too hard.  Now, I want to say that I am not against pulling down some homes, as there were homes built in a hurry, cheaply, and white ants are a problem in the area.  Also many homes not looked after.  As with many housing sa homes, just left to fall to ruin, or not kept up with maintenance.    Rented out and not looked after.      

However, money seems to be the big thing these days, and people come in to get as many 'homes' on the one bit of land.   High density living is what the sa govt wants and 'encourages' councils to allow this to occur,      Already one can see the problems beginning to occur.    As the smaller backyard blocks come up more and more, with less and less land, garages seem to take up most of front of 'houses' yet appear to not be wide enough for many of vehicles these days.   Also with driveways, there is not enough room to park one car, let alone up to four.   Many cars park over footpaths, and even on footpaths.

The first one I want to show is on the corner of Castle and Theodore Sts, Edwardstown.  When the sale sign was put up, it had in big letters, demolish.  Application in for 4 units on the block.  Yes, FOUR. Actually just recently there was an application for 7 units - sahousing. 
 Have heard stories/rumours from people about getting planning approval.......... .  The last time I queried an application, the answer was to me, very funny.      Heritage and history is apparently abandoned in Edwardstown.   Character streets - not in Edwardstown it seems.

This house was one of the first homes in the area - not just a cottage or shack. A family home.

 A home for the same family for many many years.   When the land was for sale,  there were two houses to be seen.   Luckily the other house is being cared for very well by the present owners.     The photo above is not a very clear one as it has been taken from the newspapers of the day c1920.  The picture shows in the foreground was the home of the Station Master for Edwardstown Railway Station.  In the background is another house. The Cugley home. Below  is a 2009 photo which I will replace with one taken just recently.    Castle Street around this home is all one story and full of character.   One hundred years will soon be gone because - in my opinion - of money.  There was enough land at back to build another one or two units to satisfy to a certain degree I would have thought, but.......  Now in May 2017 the marion council is allowing the home to be demolished and replaced with what I call box like units.  If it is the same as what is happening all around, there will not be enough room for cars, very high fences will block out any sight of anyone using the footpath.  Trees will not be replaced. Sometimes the developers put in the few plants, but it doesn't take long for them to go.

I feel sad that we are losing so much and there is little that can be done to stop it.

One of the latest applications for demolition is for the entire  Bridgestone site on South Road at Edwardstown. in 1939 two gentleman began what would be SA Rubber Mills - a number of name changes.   The 78 year old  continuous company which was integral for the car factories eg Holdens when South Australian industry was growing with the help of Government.  During the war the factory turned its production for war needs.  There were so many people working at this factory that SAHT built more homes to house the workers of Edwardstown.   The buildings are lovely to look at especially for a factory. In fact I would wonder if this was the only Art Deco factory in South Australia let alone Australia.    Similar to the history of Pengelleys which was a furniture making factory a little further down - where the empty blocks have been for so many years - and was known to be the largest manufacturing company in the southern hemisphere!    Gone!

The reason for the demolition application - Bunnings - look I love Bunnings, but there is one 5 minutes away at Marion, and another 7 minutes at Mile End.  With all the demolition of homes and loss of gardens, sheds and work areas is there any reason for another one here.   The ground beneath the factory must have some problems due to chemicals - and there is a housing shortage.  Stop building unnecessary places and destroying all of the history of the area.  Why not lay down a large slab of concrete - keep the facades - put up high density housing. Make it a place that has the history outside with new and innovative architecture behind it.    With public transport so easy with buses and trains and easy access to hospitals, schools and other work places, plus easy availability of universities for overseas students.  Shall have to re-write this tomorrow.  

Heritage and history in Woodlands ward has not been of any importance to Marion City Council.  Everything goes - buildings, rose gardens, bus seats - nothing is being left, not even a brick, a seat or a flower..    And the way someone in the 1990s I believe looked at this area and chose only a couple of buildings to be heritage noted - no old buildings, even for those whose owners wanted it    Trees - that is a laugh - the larger the better to fall.   This year all the mature trees along Railway Tce have been removed, car parking space removed, streets narrowed - most trees and shrubs on footpaths near or next to building sites go.    Now they will be taking all the heritage plaques and unusual bus shelters away - they were not looked after and only about 19 years old.      Quite the contrast of care and interest in history from that surrounding the Marion Village.