COPPER Coast Council and the National Trust of South Australia are working together to keep the Moonta Mines Uniting Church in community control.

Council and the National Trust lodged a joint expression of interest to purchase the building yesterday (Monday, May 9). The Copper Coast community has been opposed to the sale of the church with hundreds of people rallying through letters of support and petitions to keep the historical building in local hands.  

Moonta and District Progress Association, the Moonta Mines Uniting Church congregation and Moonta National Trust as well as state Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis and federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey have all thrown their support behind the bid.

CEO Russell Peate said the EOI criteria included heritage management, purchase price, ongoing use by the Moonta Mines faith community and proposed use of the property on an ongoing basis. “Council has a long history of heritage management for various facilities,” Mr Peate said.

“Council and the National Trust of SA are fully committed to continuing to utilise the building for the existing Uniting Church services.” Mr Peate said the joint expression of interest and joint management plan with the National Trust was imperative for the church to remain within the community to enable the progression of World Heritage Listing status. “This will ensure the long-term conservation and management of the church,” he said.

“Council will continue to work collaboratively with the National Trust of SA for the Moonta Mines National Heritage project and will continue to do so on behalf of the community for the church.” National Trust SA CEO Dr Darren Peacock said he was excited to work with council to make sure the church stayed within the community.

“It is such an important part of the Cornish and South Australian heritage and the National Trust is willing to take on this responsibility to work with the church community,” he said.

Mayor Roslyn Talbot said she was pleased elected members endorsed the expression of interest at council’s May meeting.

“In my mind the church is a community owned facility, built by and for the community,” Mrs Talbot said. “We hope the church can recognise the significant amount of money the National Trust will allocate to the church, and the price we negotiated will reflect that and not the purchase amount.

“There has been a real outcry from the community, people of all ages, because they know the importance of this building.” Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis said the Uniting Church Synod made it clear heritage was at the forefront of their minds.

“This application undoubtedly presents an excellent opportunity for the Synod to follow through on that and I hope it receives favourable consideration,” Mr Ellis said. “It would be a genuine shame if profit was put ahead of community access to such a tremendous local asset.” 

Federal support given

FEDERAL Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey wrote a letter of support in favour of the expression of interest.

Mr Ramsey said the church was an individual state heritage place and he was pleased council and the National Trust recognised the historical, social and economic value of the church. “The community is working vigorously to see its availability to the community and tourists to the region maintained,” he said.

“The Cornish built this church in 1865 for the community and since its construction it has always been an integral part of the community — it is my view it should remain so.

“The church and Moonta Mines precinct need to be preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn from.”