Penalties will significantly increase for anyone that neglects or destroys our state’s heritage listed buildings under new legislation before the State Parliament.

The changes seek to address so-called demolition by neglect by putting the onus of proof of any damage onto the owners of the state’s 2325 state heritage places.

Currently, authorities must prove a heritage listed building has been damaged by the owners.

The Malinauskas Government will support a Greens bill with the changes and will suggest further amendments aimed at increasing penalties to bring them into line with national standards.

Under the Government’s proposed amendments, maximum fines for body corporates will rise from $500,000 to $1 million, and from $250,000 to $500,000 for individuals.

The Bill will also increase penalties for violations of the Heritage Places Act 1993 and increase penalties for failure to comply with protection orders.

Furthermore, additional enforcement provisions will be added such as repair notices, repair orders and restoration in responses to non-compliance.

It will also strengthen heritage protection by enabling governments to occupy or make use of a state heritage place where a heritage agreement is in place.

Penalties will also increase for damage or neglect of State Heritage Places and for failure to comply with a protection order under section 39A, including making provision for daily penalties.

In 2022-2023 Mid-year budget review, the Malinauskas Government announced $10 million in funding over 10 years to ‘Protecting Heritage for the Future’, doubling the previous government’s heritage funding.

This funding included an additional $250,000 a year for Heritage Conservation Grants to support the owners of State Heritage Places.

The funding will also deliver a reform agenda that includes reducing the backlog of outstanding heritage listings and digitalising the heritage register by providing more detailed mapping and information for decision makers and owners.

It is also funding legislative and policy reform to contemporise heritage protection in South Australia.

Quotes

Attributable to Susan Close

South Australia’s state heritage places need to be protected and I’m pleased to support this legislation.

This Bill, and the Government’s amendments, will compliment the heritage reform agenda that is already underway.

South Australians want their history and heritage protected and these new laws will do just that.

Attributable to Robert Simms MLC

As a result of negotiations with the Government, the Greens have secured important reforms that will ensure that South Australia’s iconic heritage buildings are not lost to future generations.”

Many South Australians have been horrified to see our iconic heritage buildings being left to rot and becoming a blight as they fall victim to demolition by neglect.

This Greens bill will finally crack down on this practice and encourage the owners of these properties to make necessary restorations and activate them.”

I want to thank the Government for working collaboratively with the Greens on this reform.