The Derwent Valley Council has been in discussion with the Derwent Valley Community House, Willow Court Conservation Committee and the Department of Health and human services, but not the Friends of Willow Court about the use of Bronte building as a new Community House. While one can’t criticize the good works of the Community houses around Tasmania this raises concerns over the Derwent Valley Council’s ability to communicate, even with it’s own Special Committee of the DVC. It would appear that a healthy conversation is taking place, but not including the very Committee the Derwent Valley Council set up to run the site after its part conservation completion. There are some things that would need to be discussed and finer points and details worked out when sharing Tasmania’s newest Tourist attraction. Has the Council planned for parking for users of the Community House and tourist visitors? What are the shared costs? What is the access to facilities for school groups and what protection is in place for younger students visiting the heritage site? From the outside this looks like another “opportunity” planned decision, and not something that was in the expensive DVC/Malcolm McDonald plan for the heritage site.
Derwent Valley Council
Special Council Meeting Agenda
14 October 2014
5
Discussion
Over the past few years council has been in discussions with Community House and
also the owner of the building in regard to its continued usage, and possible share
arrangements. The owner of the building has and continues to be interested in using
the site for business opportunities but is limited by the current lease conditions.
Council has also had discussions with Community House in regard to a possible
relocation to Carinya, but there were issues in regard to which part of this site as well
as the distance from the township and the community garden.
Basically all negotiations have stalled. The owner of the building, in recent times has
also been discussion options for their current site, but difficulty arose in regard to
expenditure on a site that is not owned by a government entity.
Recently Council has been in discussions with Community House and DHHS in
regard to the use of part of the Bronte building for Community House. There is some
concern in regard to the area that they now have requested, but there may be an
opportunity for some negotiation in regard to shared spaces.
The Department of Health and Human Services have advised by e-mail on the 23rd
September2014 as follows:
“Thank you for arranging for the Mayor Martyn Evans and Councillor Chris Lester
to meet the DHHS project team at Bronte on the 2nd September 2014.
DHHS would like to progress without prejudice formal offer of the Department funds
for the infrastructure and capital works for Bronte to enable tenancy by Derwent
Valley Community House.
DHHS has a limited quantum of funds allocated to Derwent Valley Community House
and has received endorsement to allocate these funds to Bronte in the agreement that
Council offer a long term lease to Dewent Valley Community House (DVCH)
The lease of Bronte is between DVCH and Council. However it is anticipated that
given the substantial capital improvements that DHHS is willing to invest into a
Council property that consideration would be given to the conditions of the lease to
ensure a viable tenancy for DVCH.
I understand the next stage is to gain Council approval to offer the tenancy to DVCH.
Do you require any written or further advice from DHHS to gain endorsement?
I am away for the next three days, and I hope that you may be able to have a
conversation with my colleague regarding the scope of works and timeframes.
The matter was discussed at the last meeting of the Willow Court Conservation
Special Committee and gained this committees support.”
Derwent Valley Council
Special Council Meeting Agenda
14 October 2014
6
The matter was also discussed at a recent Council workshop as some concern was
again raised in regard to the area of the Bronte Building they require.