Two Murray Bridge landmarks demolished after years of neglect

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As Murray Bridge changes and grows, pieces of the past are being left behind – though not everyone will miss them.

Locals’ memories have been brought to the surface with the demolition of two local landmarks in the past week: the grandstand at the former Murray Bridge Racecourse and the old Swanport Plaza on the corner of Owl Drive.

Both had been sitting empty and unused for a number of years.

Six years have now passed since Murray Bridge Racing Club moved its operations from the old racecourse to Gifford Hill.

Half of the land it previously occupied has been turned into housing – the Newbridge estate – plus a childcare centre and two extra fairways for the neighbouring golf club.

The other half is being developed into a $100 million retirement living complex.

Plans published for public consultation last year show that the grandstand and other racing club buildings were never intended to be incorporated into the new village.

In a statement, developers Living Choice acknowledged the community’s interest in the racecourse site, and the historical significance of the grandstand.

“Our vision is to honour the site’s legacy while contributing to the region’s ongoing growth,” a spokeswoman said.

“Living Choice is well known for creating award-winning retirement and lifestyle communities, including the 215-home Living Choice Mount Barker ... (and) we are committed to bringing the same standard of excellence and community spirit to Murray Bridge.

“We look forward to creating a community that celebrates Murray Bridge’s spirit while providing modern, high-quality living options for its residents.”

The first grandstand at the old Murray Bridge Racecourse was built in 1918, only a few years after the track was opened.

A history of Murray Bridge Racing Club does not indicate whether that structure was the same one which stood until this week; but the recently demolished structure resembled the one shown in the above photo, taken in 1923.

Unlike the grandstand at Murray Bridge’s Le Messurier Oval, which dates back to a similar era, the one at the racecourse was not heritage listed.

Murray Bridge News reader Ian Blue said it was a shame to see the grandstand pulled down.

“Progress can be a welcome sign of new growth and economic development, but I think too often we forget the importance of retaining links to our past,” he said.

“That past, as far as the previous Murray Bridge Racing Club site is concerned, is now a pile of rubble.”

Meanwhile, the shops at 186 Swanport Road, on the corner of Owl Drive, had been empty since the COVID-19 pandemic, too.

The site was considered as a possible location for Murray Bridge’s Foodbank food hub in 2020, before the charity leased premises on Adelaide Road instead.

In 2021, a property developer proposed to build a 24-hour X Convenience service station and takeaway shop there, an idea which was unpopular with neighbours.

The proposal earned development approval from the Murray Bridge council, originally on the condition that construction start within two years.

By earlier this year, however, the shops – now vandalised and in a state of disrepair – were being advertised for lease again.

Leasing agents Leedwell Property did not find any takers.

A representative of the agency told Murray Bridge News she was not aware of any further development planned at the site.

No proposal has been lodged with Planning and Land Use Services, the relevant state agency.

Murray Bridge News has sought comment from the firm which owns the site.

The two demolitions come in the context of significant population growth which is expected in Murray Bridge over the coming decades, including as a result of the Gifford Hill housing development.

• Read more: Gifford Hill development progresses: ‘We’re going as fast as we can’
• Read more: New R-12 school, main street changes and more planned in Murray Bridge