Police station, school and fun park become homes amid rural housing shortageBy Liz Rymill and Declan DurrantABC South East SATopic:Real Estate Industry1h ago1 hours agoSat 10 May 2025 at 10:48pmThe old Laura police station in South Australia is being offered for sale. (ABC North and West: Declan Durrant)abc.net.au/news/rural-schools-country-halls-police-stations-turned-into-homes/105272678Link copiedShareShare articleFrom the street, the cream stone building with its eyelash verandah is quintessentially mid-north South Australia.Around the back, however, would-be buyers get a glimpse into the building's fascinating history.Formerly the small town of Laura's police station, the property retains two original stone jail cells that are still fitted with benches and fastening loops for prisoners' chains.Built in 1878, the home and its outbuilding were the town's police station until 1968, when they were decommissioned and later became a private dwelling.Unique and unusual features in rural real estate are said to be attracting new buyers. (ABC North and West: Declan Durrant)Real estate agent Angus Barnden, who is selling the property, said former police stations were rare in the real estate market, but their historical features were often why people bought them."It's the quirkiness and the character," he said.At the other end of the state, 20 kilometres outside Mount Gambier, a former primary school that closed in 2011 when enrolments dropped to 11 students has been transformed into a family home by current owners Peter Hoare and Mandy Daly.The former Tarpeena Primary School has been renovated to become a family home. (Supplied: Malseed Real Estate)"It caught our eye — we were looking for something a bit different that we could renovate," Mr Hoare said."We had looked at the old Blyth hospital and were keen to buy that and turn it into a bed and breakfast, then we looked at the old Tantanool School."But when this one came up at Tarpeena, we just fell in love with it. The shape, the angles, the big arch window."Mr Hoare said the site also offered a large land parcel."It was being sold for land value only, so we couldn't resist," he said.After spending a year renovating, the pair is now selling the site.Mr Hoare said it was garnering a lot of interest from potential buyers."I think there's a big opportunity here for a B&B, a caravan park, you name it … there's so much potential," he said.Buyers see potential in the quirkyReal estate agent Paul Segneri said interest in quirky, unusual and alternative real estate was on the rise, due in part to the nation's housing crisis.Next chapter for former churchesPhoto shows Picture of the interior of a renovated church.Former churches are being given a new lease on life as homes and holiday accommodation, as places of worship close their doors and are sold.The Mount Gambier agent, who is selling the renovated Tarpeena primary school, said he had received a "noticeable increase" in enquiries from buyers looking for multi-generational dwellings in recent years."A lot of families are coming to me looking for sites where parents, children and grandparents can live together," he said."The cost of aged-care and retirement living is prohibitive for some families."More families are looking at ways to innovate, save money and often sites like decommissioned public spaces provide exactly that opportunity."Country towns changingThe changing social fabric of country communities has also seen the consolidation of traditional spaces, such as schools, country halls and churches.Mr Segneri said buyers were capitalising on the unique market opportunities."We've sold decommissioned churches, old halls, you name it — [for] people who want something different, who want a bit of space, don't mind a project."These types of properties allow so many different options."Quirky or not, there's a buyer for it."The old Tarpeena fairytale park is now a family home. (Facebook)Across the road in the same town, a former fairytale family fun park sold last year as private housing.The new owners share their backyard with more than a dozen colourful sculptures and displays of Humpty Dumpty, Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel."Can you imagine being a kid growing up in that place?" Mr Segneri said.A display at the former Tarpeena Fairytale park, which has since been closed and sold. (Facebook)ABC South East SA — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each FridayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 1h ago1 hours agoSat 10 May 2025 at 10:48pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesIsrael is keeping up its blockade of aid as kids starve to deathTopic:WarPhoto shows A small baby in a pink onesie sleeps on a blue and yellow blanket.Dumped minister says speaking out on Gaza partly to blame for demotionTopic:ALPPhoto shows Ed Husic, wearing a suit, sitting on a green bench.How Australia's biggest pokies dynasty is rewriting its legacyTopic:GamblingPhoto shows Len Ainsworth poses for a portrait at a table in a dark room with poker machines behind him.Harry, Charles and the grief dilemma tearing apart the royal familyTopic:RoyaltyPhoto shows An older man and two younger men 'Next Canva or Atlassian': Orange is looking to realise dreams of business grandeurTopic:AgriculturePhoto shows Aerial view of Orange in NSW.Related storiesOld schoolhouse restoration transforms piece of history in Adelaide HillsTopic:HistoryPhoto shows A black and white photo showing the old school house from the side with its gothic windows and door visible and tin roofSmall businesses breathe new life into historic churchesTopic:ChurchesPhoto shows A black and white image of a churchHow to buy your own home without a mortgage? 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