Willow Court Report by Brett Noble, Senior Project Manager.

Report: 

What has been happening at the site during the last couple of months?

Quite a lot.

As with any project of this nature, a lot of time and energy is being   devoted to planning and detailing the works , which doesn’t immediately translate into visible activity on the site. The Development Application (DA) and heritage permit are now secured.  Tenders and negotiations with contractors for substantial elements of the works are well progressed. Getting the sequence of works right — between conservation, visitor   access and services — has been organised, but is an ongoing   management task.

If you walk past the site along The Avenue today you will see a very active construction site.

Ø  Scaffolding has gone up around The Barracks, in preparation for roof plumbing and painting

Ø  Landscape works have begun in the Barracks forecourt and along the access route to The Avenue

Ø  The Barracks  windows and doors have been uncovered and restored to working order

Ø  The Barracks verandah posts have been repaired and painted and the base rendered in preparation for lime washing

Ø  Work has also begun  inside the south wing of The Barracks.

Ø  Five rooms have been selected to be opened up for visitors.

Ø  A considerable amount of carpentry, masonry and rendering work has  already been completed

Ø  One room has been lime washed

Interior works will be continued, but roofing works will be the priority while scaffolding is up. The scaffolding will be up around The Barracks for about four weeks, and then will be erected around Bronte in  preparation for roofing works there.

Work has also begun on an inventory of artefacts held in storage, supported by an Arts Tasmania grant. The focus of this work is on understanding what has been collected, how to keep it in good condition, and what items will help tell a story for visitors.

We have found some interesting bits and pieces but haven’t yet got to the point of deciding what to do in relation to displays and the like.  Local contractors and specialists from around the state are being used.  It is pretty busy on site at the moment.  We are still looking at an April finish, but it is getting pushed back a bit – these things do take time and there is a lot of work to sequence and get through.  Hopefully we will not get an unexpected holdup.

Thanks

Brett

Brett Noble