The Willunga branch of the of National Trust of South Australia has started an online petition to try and stop the demolition of one of the town’s historic cottages.

An application has been lodged with Planning SA to demolish the three bedroom cottage at 19 St Judes Street in Willunga. The cottage was built around 1862 and sits on a large 3061 square metre block. It was last sold in June of 2020 for $635 000.

The general public have until Wednesday August 4^th to make submissions regarding the application on the Plan SA website.

In its petition the Trust says, “If this cottage is destroyed, it will set a terrible precedent in terms of enabling others to buy precious buildings with a view to destroying the heritage elements and developing the land, even in heritage precincts.”

“And once it is gone, it is gone forever.”

“Our heritage buildings are an important part of Willunga's culture.” 

“This building must be saved for future generations.”

The Trust believes the ‘English Village’ construction style of the cottage is unique to the district and says it has been home to some of Willunga’s most prominent families.

The application to demolish the building was lodged on June 23 and is currently under assessment.

The cottage is listed on the SA Heritage Places Database as a place of local heritage with “historical, economic or social themes that are of importance to the local area” and “displays aesthetic merit, design characteristics or construction techniques of significance to the local area”.