The owners of the Willow Court have recently had a number of workshops to develop some parameters when people and groups wish to access the heritage site. The last workshop was attended by two members of the Friends of Willow Court, Councillors Julie Triffett and Barry Lathey and the General Manager of the Derwent Valley Council.
Educational and Historical groups did not attend and were not invited.
During this time they have considered and will propose a number of things at the next DVC meeting for approval:
Application of site use, (which includes insurance either from the DVC or separate, groups name and type of event. It isn’t clear about use of toilet facilities in the leased section of the site.)
Opening the gate fee
Cost per person for entry
Safety audits
Security arrangements
Bond
Any tours will have to have their scripts approved by the Council.
Access to the remaining part of the site when the Agrarian Kitchen take up their leased section will be closed off by a number of clear panels, it is proposed.
This will be put to the next DVC meeting.
Even though there hasn’t been a process of “Expressions Of Interest” a number of groups have been given access to the site outside of any process.
The proposed “night tour” entertainment group has not had any script approved according to the General Manager and the EOI process will be up to Council to discuss and develop.
It was also noted from recent public comments that there was more public access to the site in 2014 than what is being proposed by Council or on offer today.