Agrarian Kitchen – Willow Court Tasmania

Ten Days on the Island & Derwent Valley Arts

February 23, 2021 No Comments

“Ten Days on the Island” Arts festival is shaping up to use Willow Court Barracks Heritage Precinct for the 2021 season. https://www.tendays.org.au/intimate-epics/

ABOVE: Joe Bugden (Salamanca Arts), Sam George-Allen (Derwent Valley Arts), Alexander Okenyo (Derwent Valley Arts), Ben Shaw (Derwent Valley Mayor), and Margaret Reynolds (Salamanca Arts). January 19th, 2021, handing over the keys to the Barracks – the Derwent Valley’s new Arts Centre.

The east wing of Willow Court’s Barracks building is now host for the Derwent Valley Arts after they officially started their lease with the Derwent Valley Council. They have a range of events that allow the site to be open during the weekends. This will allow visitors to eat fine food at the Agrarian Kitchen and view fine art in the Barracks. https://www.derwentvalley.art/arts-centre

Global, Local

New plans before the Council, Agrarian Kitchen

May 16, 2020 No Comments

Bronte plans for kiosk and cooking school

The Derwent Valley Council have two new Development Applications from the owners of the Agrarian Kitchen, the first is an extension to their current business housed in the old Bronte House. The expansion would entail a Kiosk and a Cooking School. This would bring all the business under one roof and would extend the operation hours for this location.

Full plans are on the Council Website. https://www.derwentvalley.tas.gov.au/council/latest-news/application-for-planning-approval-da-1572019-11-the-avenue,-new-norfolk

The second development application is the creation of a large productive market type garden within the walled area of Carlton House. This area will have two ponds, two market or productive garden areas along with raised smaller garden beds and fruit trees.

It is envisaged that the Gardens area will look something like this, but with the inclusion of two ponds, a poly tunnel and a tool shed.

Raised garden beds are planned to protect the underground archaeological heritage values. The only concern is the two 600 mm deep ponds which have been recognised as “Likely to impact significant and substantial archaeological remains” Brad Williams Heritage Consultant/Historical Archaeologist. full plans can be viewed on the Council’s website, https://www.derwentvalley.tas.gov.au/council/latest-news/application-for-planning-approval-da-222020-11-the-avenue,-new-norfolk

The Agrarian Kitchen has been running a highly successful and complementary business within the Heritage site for some years. This is a natural progression as they bring their Lachlan Cooking School and gardens within the one location.

Global, Local

Latest News

December 3, 2016 No Comments

There have been a few things happening at Willow Court. Firstly this is a notice on the gates of the Council owned section informing the public of an application for the return of the Archaeology Student from Flinders University and the pending works they wish to start during their stay in February next year.

The second notice is about the pending Kitchen, Eatery and Store due to be fitted out next year and their application for a Liquor Licence. Rodney Dunn from the Agrarian Kitchen is aware of the sensitive nature of the site and is highly respectful of the history. This is a great way for the Council to raise long term funds without insensitive exploration of the site.

The Derwent Valley Council have see fit to sponsor and approve, not one but two insensitive Paranormal tours of the site. We know from worldwide experiences that these will soon start portraying the previous residents and staff as objects of dread to compete for the very limited audience and available dollars.

One is a private business and the other group has strong connections with a number of Councillors who have supported this activity, including the Mayor who once announced the location as the “most haunted in Australia”.

The expression of interest process for other businesses to operate at Willow Court has still not been completed by Council.

I have been sent a picture of this button and an inquiry as to whom would have worn this and from which uniform it would have come from.

If you can help please contact me and I will pass on the information.

On a happier note the Willow Court History Group website has clicked over one million views last month. We believe that people are interested in a sensitive and respectful telling of the history of the hospital.

The weeds are growing in the landscaped areas at the site. The Friends of Willow Court had requested to manage the lawns and gardens, but have been denied access. It is also believed that the FoWC have also been denied access at Willow Court to prepare their submission for general and educational tours.

Global, Local

The Agrarian Kitchen @ Willow Court

September 1, 2016 4 Comments

The Friends of Willow Court Committee were honoured to have the company of Rodney Dunn at the 2016 annual general meeting. Rodney is the owner of the Derwent Valley favourite and world famous ‘Agrarian Kitchen’ situated in Lachlan. Renowned for his gourmet expertise, delightful old -world cooking school and neighbourly connections for fresh ingredients Rodney shares his plans for a new eatery and shop within Willow Court. The newly renovated Bronte building within the council owned section of Willow Court presents an appealing, relaxed and historically significant atmosphere for a choice dining experience.

It has been a foresight of the Friends of Willow Court of the sites potential for tourism and educational opportunities. Rodney explains the eatery’s location within the picturesque setting of the valley will provide an idyllic destination for functions and travellers to dine. The eatery and shop will show case locally sourced produce and highlight specialist kitchen equipment. Diners will enjoy the taste of the valley with a finely crafted menu. The site has room for expansion or as Rodney envisions a partnership with a boutique brewery.

Excited by the prospect of tourism to the site, committee members still held concerns for how the new eatery would engage the public with the historical memories and stories of the site. It was discussed and subsequently agreed upon that the sites rich heritage be preserved through interpretation. Rodney is eager to work with Friends of Willow Court, the Derwent Valley Council and the Willow Court History Group to implement interpretive panels within the eatery that will feature key stories that will connect the past to the present.

The new Agrarian Kitchen will reinvigorate the Willow Court historic Precinct with a modern dining experience for locals and visitors alike. Through interpretation the Friends of Willow Court Committee will help to develop a sophisticated respect and connection with the sites heritage to promote education and a more informed future.

By Nadia Lobb

Global, Local

New use for Bronte?

December 14, 2015 No Comments

Derwent Valley Council are considering a joint proposal tonight from “The Eleventh Order” which is a craft brewery based in New Norfolk and the popular Agrarian Kitchen. The Council will also will consider deferring the expression of interest process that was going to find a compatible tenant for the Bronte Building.

Because of the zoning requirement Heritage Tasmania will be consulted into the proposed use of the site. This interest came from the Prime Minister’s visit to Willow Court in October during which time members of the invited group had a limited tour of the restoration and conservation works.

Back in August the Derwent Valley Council had an agenda item recommending the lease of the Bronte Building to the Derwent Valley Community House. (CLICK HERE)

The proposal was going to see the building being leased for nine years for nine dollars. This morning Councillor Shaw, Deputy Mayor announced on Facebook “There is no “current lease holder” there was a decision of council to form an agreement/lease with community house, which has to my knowledge not been signed. Community house has now expressed interest in moving to another council facility which is also on the agenda for tonight“.

Tonight Councillor Shaw also announced on facebook “there was a decision made at tonight’s council meeting, to formally enter into lease negotiations with DVCH in relocating to carinya education park. This is a magnificent space and has huge kitchen amenities. All it needs now is all party’s to agree on terms.”

By the amount of likes on the notice it would appear that locals and interested people seem to agree that this is a better fit for the Historic Precinct than previous proposals. The public heard this proposal this morning on the ABC’s Leon Compton morning program during talk back.

The proposal is to explore an agreement between the parties before March 2016.

Mercury Article