Willow Court Community Workshop

Back L-R: Pat Murray, Steve Balmforth, Val Costarelli, Nigel Graham, Nicola Rouleston

Middle: Graham Gourlay, Sharon Hutchison, Peter Rouleston

Front: Anne Salt, Fran Hartz, Jon Grant, Darryleen Wiggins

A new community group is looking to chart a way forward for the Willow Court precinct in New Norfolk, signalling a more stable future for the troubled 200-year-old historic site.

The group, which has been meeting informally for the past few months, has arranged this professionally facilitated workshop to identify common ground about how the former mental hospital can and should be developed by the private and public sectors.

Currently, the buildings and spaces in the Willow Court precinct around the 1830s Barracks building are owned and managed by Derwent Valley Council.

Originally established to cater to convicts, the core site of three hectares in New Norfolk’s centre evolved through multiple eras of mental health treatment, disability care and PTSD therapy until its closure 23 years ago.

Its ownership and management was subsequently turned over from state to local government.

But while extensive research into the precinct’s deep history has produced archaeological and conservation plans, business development and management strategies, their implementation has been stymied by a conflicting decision at government level, funding failures and a lack of community consensus.

This sixteen-hour three-day workshop being held at the New Norfolk Bowls Club over November 10, 11 and 12 is intended to draw from the local Tasmanian community workable ways to allow the site to be restored and made financially self-sustaining through public-private sector collaborations.

Already, sections of the site have new lives as an aged care facility, a popular antique store and an upmarket restaurant.

Any plan needs to acknowledge the significance and deep sensitivity of a place that has a chronological span four times longer than that of the better-known Port Arthur.

There’s a real risk, says the community group, of continued decay of the site and its multiple assets, the Barracks – the original hospital designed by John Lee Archer – the high security section known as Carlton and Allonah Wards and Occupational Therapy, and Frascati House, home of the Colonial Secretary John Burnett.

“We expect over these three days in November to identify current options and develop a vision and action plan with a shared understanding of the Willow Court Barracks precinct’s future,” says group spokesperson Jon Grant.

“What’s needed is a plan that the New Norfolk community owns and sees to fruition,” “Because this Willow Court site is unique and nationally significant, we expect to hear a wide spectrum of voices and views.”

For further details about the three-day workshop or to book a place please email

willowcourtcommunityworkshop@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/822596072685174/announcements