George and Eleanor Hobbs have lived on Gover Street for nine years. 

George said when they bought the property it was always their intention to preserve its heritage, and they’ve spent about eight of the past nine years doing just that. 

“Probably eight because there was a lot of preparation work up front in terms of having to get all the planning permissions and permissions from the state heritage to make sure they were pleased with what we were going to do,” Hobbs said. 

Hobbs received funding through the council’s Heritage Incentive Scheme for verandah works including the slate and posts and the installation of a firewall. 

The Hobbs’ Gover Street terrace house was built in 1869 by William King, an owner of steam sawmills and a notable figure in Adelaide’s building industry. Photo: Helen Karakulak/InDaily

Today, the Capital City Committee, an intergovernmental body of the state government and city council, announced it will invest a further $250,000 into the Council’s Heritage Incentive Scheme. 

This funding comes on top of $1.16 million the Adelaide City Council has put towards the scheme.

The $250,000 will last until the end of 2025 and go towards State Heritage listed properties. 

 The scheme funds property owners to undertake re-roofing, facade conservation, paint removal, repointing and structural stability works. 

Last financial year, the scheme allocated $1.18 million in funding across 71 projects in the city and North Adelaide. This ranged from houses like this one, to shop-fronts and other property types. Photo: Helen Karakulak/InDaily

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith told InDaily she’d love to sit on the Hobbs’ terrace “in the afternoon sun with a cup of tea”.

“It’s a north-facing verandah, you just think what a marvellous building, what an amazing place to live in,” Lomax-Smith said. 

“On top of that of course, how important it is for tourism and community because this is part of our history.”

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax Smith admires the restored heritage home. Photo: Helen Karakulak/InDaily

Lomax-Smith said the funding boost will ensure heritage places like the Hobbs’ property on Gover Street are protected for generations to come.

“Our scheme has been lauded nationally and internationally because it is an incentive for the conservation of our city’s heritage, and I’m grateful that the State Government has committed to contribute funding to the scheme,” she said. 

The row of terrace houses on Gover Street is State Heritage-listed, as these terraces were notable improvements to the street in the 1860s and an example of an early-developed terrace that was unique to the North Adelaide area. 

The row of terrace houses on Gover Street are heritage-protected, known for their verandahs supported by cantilevered balconies. Photo: City of Adelaide

Deputy Premier Susan Close said heritage architecture provides people with physical links to the past. 

“The State Government recognises the importance of conserving our city’s cultural heritage to retain the character of the CBD and its benefits to our quality of life,” she said.

“This investment into the Heritage Incentive Scheme will enable even more property owners to consider conserving their own little piece of our state’s history.” 

The Gover Street property is also listed on the National Trust Register, which is represented by this plaque at the entrance to the property. Photo: Helen Karakulak/InDaily

The Heritage Incentive Scheme was established by the City of Adelaide in 1988 and has provided more than $30 million in financial assistance to owners of heritage buildings.

About a quarter of South Australia’s State Heritage-listed places are located in the City of Adelaide, including 1850 local heritage places and the National Heritage-listed Adelaide Park Lands.

Lomax-Smith said the conditions have recently changed to encourage property owners to create more housing, and their heritage incentive scheme is also available to be accessed for adaptive reuse projects.

Other notable properties the City of Adelaide have helped restore through the Heritage Incentive Scheme include Beehive Corner, West’s Coffee Palace on Hindley Street, and the historic East End Market buildings.

Beehive Corner on King William Street. Photo: Bension Siebert/InDaily