On February 2018 the Derwent Valley Council opened Expressions of Interest for future uses for Willow Court, which has resulted in four proposals being presented: two community and two commercial proposals.
A Development Application (DA) for the adaptive reuse of part of one Alonnah, which was previously the Women’s high security Ward, as a Rum Distillery has been lodged with Council. The application states that ‘Alonnah is proposed to become a rum distillery with the front roadside section of Alonnah comprising a mini still, tasting and storage, being Stage 1. … The buildings of Occupation Therapy and Carlton together with the small exercise yard are included in the property site.’ Minutes of the Council Meeting on 20 September 2018 (p143) note that the proposal includes a request to purchase these buildings. Submissions for public comment on Stage 1 are due by 5pm on 4 May.
The application lists a proposed development:
“Works comprising partial demolition, internal fit-out and external alterations in association with production (rum distillery) and also incorporating tasting bar and signage”
Works to the north-east corner of Alonnah, adjacent to the Agrarian Kitchen, are listed as
- Make good building defects
- Remove an existing window
- Form new wall opening for door entry into tasting room
- Form new opening with window in front wall
- Demolish existing wall, install full height glazing or public viewing of barrels
- Fit out (including bar, rum still, barrel storage, office, toilet)
The application can be viewed on the Council website, or in person at the Council during working hours.
http://www.derwentvalley.tas.gov.au/page.aspx?u=701&c=12356
More information about future stages can be viewed on the Distillery website, which lists the proposed future stages and show images of future work, which include significant alterations to this entire building, and to Occupational Therapy and Carlton (Ward C).
4 Comments
So very sad
Anna, we would agree and only yesterday I found out the Applicants have “reached out” to a Paranormal group to run tours. How this is respectful to the past residents and staff I don’t know.
Hello
I visited Willow Court today and have learnt so much. Just to clarify, the distillery hoping to take over the facility, they are the ones that have instigated the ghost tours? Who/What department gives the green light for this type of business to be able to run tours at the facility?
The paranormal/night/ghost tours are approved by the current owners of the Historic Precinct (Barracks, C and A Wards) they are the Derwent Valley Council. As they have given the site away to become one of the largest bars in Tasmania, the groups have approached the new owners and one group has confirmed they will be working on tour. Another group do tours in the privately owned area and the public area and I don’t know if they are still disrespecting the previous staff and residents by conducting tours with the Bar owners.
Cheers Mark