National Trust volunteers treated 'like servants', inquiry hears

The National Trust of South Australia (NTSA) treats volunteers like "servants" and needs tighter government oversight, a parliamentary inquiry has been told.

The remarks were made on Monday at a packed Moonta Town Hall, where members of parliament on the Environment, Resources and Development Committee heard from locals affected by the shutdown of the Moonta Mines Heritage Precinct.

NTSA closed the tourist attraction in February and locked out volunteers, after months of management disagreement with the Moonta governing committee.

After a bitter legal dispute, the local committee was re-instated last month, but the episode exposed rifts within the charity, which owns more than 80 historically significant properties around the state.

NTSA Moonta branch chair Sharron Ward told the inquiry the organisation showed a "lack of respect to its volunteers" and "[needed] to be brought into modern standards".

"They're like lord of the manor and we're like servants,"

Ms Ward said.

"There needs to be a mutually beneficial relationship, whereas most branches feel like they're done unto."

Under parliamentary privilege, Ms Ward said the NTSA used "embellishments and distortion" to justify her committee's sacking in February over alleged compliance breaches, which she said had come from a "disgruntled former staff member" of NTSA.

The charity's head office only offered the committee details about the breaches three weeks later, according to Ms Ward.

"These actions assumed that the breaches were accurate without any attempts to investigate their validity," she told the inquiry.

She said the Moonta branch wanted "autonomy" from the wider organisation, including greater control over their properties and finances, while keeping the National Trust name.

The National Trust Act has not had major updates since 1955 and does not outline how the organisation should operate.

"At the current time, we're at their beck and call,"

Ms Ward said.

In a statement, the NTSA said it "continues to cooperate" with the parliamentary inquiry and has agreed to work with the Moonta branch to reopen and operate the heritage sites after recent mediation.

"With respect to the ongoing parliamentary inquiry, we feel it is inappropriate to be drawn on evidence given about suggested changes to the NTSA's future structure or operation," the trust said.

"The branch and the NTSA have agreed to implement measures to improve and ensure the proper administration of branch affairs, for the benefit of all, into the future.

"The parties have also agreed on a range of steps they will each take to improve their future working relationship."

Visitors vanished

Copper Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association chair Neil Windsor said Moonta experienced a "major drop in visitors" during the closure, citing reports from business owners.

"It's just ripped our guts out," he said.

"When all this was closed, you could see this town was crying. You just had to walk around."

Mr Windsor endorsed a "complete review" of the legislation "to take into account the true value and respect of volunteers".

The parliamentary inquiry also canvassed whether NTSA should require ministerial approval before selling assets, following reports that historic properties were being sold to cover administrative costs.

Copper Coast Council chief executive officer Dylan Strong told the inquiry the idea warranted exploration.

"It is in the public interest that that portfolio be protected and there should be a comprehensive investigation to ensure that protection," he said.

Ms Di Lernia previously told the ABC the organisation was "asset-rich" but struggling with cash flow after recording a more than $300,000 deficit last financial year.

To increase cash flow, she said the organisation would "from time to time sell off assets" and was "actively working" to sell some non-core assets.

Goyder Regional Council chief David Stevenson, whose council also works with the NTSA, told the inquiry people should be allowed to lodge ombudsman complaints about the organisation.

"They are the custodians of a very large asset group and there is significant public interest in what they do," he said.

The inquiry is expected to hear from the NTSA executive at a separate hearing next month.