Derwent Valley Council – Page 5 – Willow Court Tasmania

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

Global, Local

Call for “Public Comment” on Heritage listing

November 20, 2015 No Comments

The Australian Heritage Council have called for public comments on the assessment of Willow Court Barracks Precinct and Frascati House for the National Heritage List. Derwent Valley Council have an agenda item for yesterday’s meeting to discuss the formation of a group of Councillors and the Regional Development Officer to supply additional evidence and review the submission created by Malcolm McDonald at the Council’s request. To find the full agenda item on the Derwent Valley Council’s website CLICK HERE

Below is the estimated timeframe for Heritage Assessment of the site from the Government website. It is listed for 30/06/2017. Comments must be recieve before the 18th December 2015.

Global, Local

Willow Court wall restoration project

November 15, 2015 No Comments

A joint project between the Friends of Willow Court/Derwent Valley Council and the Members of the Tidy Towns Committee is about to embark on a major project to conserve the original walls around Willow Court. These walls once were lime washed which protected the brickwork from excessive weathering. The picture above shows how badly the bricks have survived over their lifetime along with graffiti and the odd human intervention, these walls are in great need of some restoration works. The project which is about to start, and is calling for interested people to join will start by applicants obtaining their “white card” WH&S qualification this week. Training is offered to the applicants and skills in heritage restoration will be taught throughout the project’s life. Applicates are expected to develop heritage conservation, some building skills and employability skills that will assist them obtain work in the building and or heritage conservation industries. The article (left) from Ben Waterworth from the Derwent Valley Gazette explains details and gives contact details.

Global, Local

Willow Court Open?

October 29, 2015 No Comments

This morning Willow Court had its first event in the old Bronte Ward called the “Lyons Community Breakfast. The site officially remains closed for conservation work. Tours, or any sort of access for the general public hasn’t been available. This morning special guest the Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Turnbull MP and the Member for Lyons Eric Hutchinson MP had an early start at the oldest asylum in Australia. Minister responsible for the Environment and Heritage, Mr Greg Hunt is also in Tasmania at the moment and it is unclear if he will attend. We are not sure if the Prime Minister had a tour of the buildings that are currently going through the Heritage listing process or if there was an opening ceremony of the site.

Global, Local

AGM of the Friends of Willow Court meeting

October 9, 2015 No Comments

Last Wednesday I attended the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Friends of Willow Court (FoWC) held at the Derwent Valley Community House. The meeting went normally with elections of the Committee and reports given by office bearers. The Chairwoman read her report, please see below:

Friends of Willow Court
Chairpersons Report
AGM
7 October 2015

It is with pleasure that I present this, the third report for the Friends of Willow Court special committee of the Derwent Valley Council. This past year started with much enthusiasm for the Friends of Willow Court, with the imminent completion of the Barracks & Bronte restoration, and the proposed open weekend to showcase the restoration to the community. Advice from the Conservation Committee was that the opening would consist of static displays of information, and as a result the FoWC committee started to collate information on WC for display. The potential date for the opening in December came and went, and disappointingly the Friends of Willow Court understand there is now no plan for an opening at this stage.

In anticipation of having the site open in the first half of this year, the committee continued to focus on developing an understanding of how to provide professional, respectful and informative tours and experiences based on thematic interpretation. The committee liaised with staff at Port Arthur and the Cascade Women’s Prison, and visited both sites to meet with staff who provided a wealth of information on how to develop thematic tours. The connection with both sites was invaluable, and provides an opportunity for sharing of resources when tours of Willow Court operate.

Other activities undertaken by the committee over the last 12 months include the following:

• Hosting a BBQ for Associate Professor Heather Burke and her ten archaeology students, who were all impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication of the FoWC, and the various historical records on Willow Court collected by members of the committee

• Lodgement of a submission to the Legislative Council Built Heritage Inquiry committee

• Escorting the Built Heritage committee on a site tour of Willow Court

• Participation in the National Trust Heritage Festival in May with a display to depict Willow Court’s links to Australia’s world conflicts, and a play set in the grounds of Frascati House. The highlight of this event was the attendance by the Governor of Tasmania at the opening night, to launch the event.

• Responding to a request from the Derwent Valley Tidy Towns committee to help with removal of graffiti from the Willow Court perimeter wall. The outcome of this request is that both committees will work with the Centre for Heritage in Oatlands on restoration of the wall over the coming months, and the committee has suggested New Norfolk high school students also participate in the project.

• Participating in two strategic planning sessions facilitated by FoWC member Bec Tudor. The outcome of these sessions is a work in progress that will be completed over the coming months.

• Successful applications for DVC Community Grants

• Successful applications for DVC the Capital Works budget

During the year the committee has made requests of Council to visit Willow Court to view the restoration, but these requests have been denied due to Willow Court being a construction site. However, limited access was permitted to escort the Built Heritage committee on a familiarisation tour of the site, and for two limited tours by one committee member for people with a potential interest in projects at Willow Court. We are also aware that various site visits have been undertaken by Councillors, and state and Federal Ministers and MP’s.

It is very disappointing for this committee that has volunteered for years to provide input into projects such as the Malcolm McDonald report, host events, conduct working bees and tours of Willow Court, to be denied access for a site visit to see the restoration. We do hope however this situation can be rectified by the council in the very near future.

In March the committee was advised that it was the intention of the council to seek international expressions of interest in Willow Court, a process that could take up to twelve months, and that we could lodge a submission for a 12 month calendar of events. What was not communicated to us at that time was that apparently all Friends of Willow Court access to Willow Court will only be through submitting a proposal. Again this is a very disappointing situation, which leaves the committee feeling disenfranchised and disillusioned.

While it is understood that it will take some time for new councillors to develop an understanding of the heritage value of Willow Court and the significant role this committee and others have played in the preservation and reuse of the site, to hear a councillor at a council meeting when voting on the proposal to move the Community House into Bronte state about Willow Court that ‘there is nothing to see there’ and ‘No-one wants it,’ leaves us and other stakeholders further disheartened. In fact the comment of one prominent Tasmanian historian with a significant interest in Willow Court was ‘I am broken hearted over what is happening at Willow Court’. A sentiment that is echoed amongst Friends of Willow Court members.

To those long term committee members who are stepping down this year for various reasons, I would like to thank you for your vision for Willow Court, your dedication and determination to give your time and skills to the work of Friends of Willow Court for the benefit of preserving this important historic site that has been so neglected and vandalised, your efforts are much appreciated.

In closing I would like to take this opportunity to thank all committee members for their enthusiasm, contribution, hard work and good company over the past year. Thank you also to Councilor Pearce for supporting the committee and providing a conduit for communication with the council, and to the DVC for the opportunity to apply for Community Grants to support our projects. While we are a small committee we can again be proud of what we have achieved for Willow Court.

Thank you
Anne Salt
Chairperson
2014/15

The guest speaker was the Mayor, Martyn Evan who stated the he liked to attend all the AGM’s for all DVC Committee’s. He gave an update of the progress of the conservation work, partnerships with Flinders University and explained where the “Expression of Interest” process was up to for the lease/sale of Willow Court Heritage Precinct. He was also generous in staying on to answer questions from members of the Friends of Willow Court Committee and members of the public who had an interest is seeing the site open and respectfully portrayed.

Some of those questions were:

Is there a time for an opening or handing over of the keys to the DVC? Answer “as soon as humanly possible” he also explained that there would not be an “opening” as the Council didn’t want to have an opening, only to close the site the next day. The concept would be more an events venue. He wished to stay away from the idea of an opening, as this would draw criticism when it closed the next day.

One question was raised about the relationship between the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee and the DVC and why the DVC own Committee was not informed of decisions relating to Willow Court and that the Committee was required to submit plan to access the site that same an other businesses wanting to have access to the site. It was commented about this situation that the Committee was set up by the DVC for the purposes of supporting the DVC however this had been frustrated by the many negative attitudes and private agendas that Councillors had and “Special relationships some members of the DVC had with “interested parties.

The Mayor was challenged because of his personal support of the site becoming a paranormal hot spot by personally declaring the site the “second most haunted site in Tasmania”, this was done without any supporting evidence.

There was also a question about a sympathetic guide that would be used for the Lease or Sale Expressions of Interest process. We were told that there currently isn’t a guide.

Some committee members chose not to stand this year and have sited their frustration at not being able to progress any plans at the site and disheartened because the of the restricted access for the Council’s very own Committee.

There was also a commitment from the Mayor to hear the DVC’s own Committee at a future workshop.

Please be aware that this is not a Friends of Willow Court Website or Blog.

Global, Local

Willow Court; Museums times three??

October 1, 2015 No Comments

The Mayor and or the Derwent Valley Council has approved or given approval for three museums in the last 4 years at Willow Court, two are in the Council’s owned areas, The Barracks and Frascati House and the latest endorsement is in print on the front page article of the Derwent Valley Gazette.

In this article Hadyn and Penny Pearce, Antique Dealers and Collectors originally from Sydney are purposing to install a museum of Willow Court artifacts in their privately owned area of Willow Court after the donation of two fire helmets recently sold at auction.

This will mean that there will be three museums within a 200 metre area all dealing with the same history and all trying to tell the same stories if all go ahead.

It is a concern that this can happen, but it’s has been a measure of the Council’s recent ability to plan or follow their own plans in this area. The Mayor appears to be approving of all ideas, even if they are the same, and yet the Derwent Valley Council still has plans to sell or lease the site before the next Council elections!

While Hadyn and Penny are calling for donations for their new private venture their policy around ownership of donated items is not clear yet, but there is a clear policy and procedure in place from the Willow Court Conservation Special Committee, who put into place a “complex collection and de-accessioning policy” back in 2013. The existing collections has been extensively researched and modified to note all assets within the currently expanding collection by the PhD students supported and directed by Associate Professor Heather Burke at the Flinders University while on field evaluation.

If you are considering any loan or donation of goods be assured that this system is working and recording these valuable items so they can stay in the collection for the Community’s benefit. Please contact any member of the Friends of Willow Court or private email me and I will put you in contact with a committee member.

“Derwent Valley Council Mayor Martyn Evans said he liked the idea of a museum.” Reported in the Derwent Valley Gazette September 2015

Restoration of Frascati House, with inclusion of a high quality conferencing facility, museum including nursing memorabilia…” June 2015 Derwent Valley Council.

“A complete makeover of the “Willow Court brand” be undertaken so that ALL dimensions are featured, including the treatment and history of mental illness” Malcolm MacDonald & Associates 2011 a Report commissioned by the Derwent Valley Council.

Policy and documents

Updated artifacts catalogue

Donation of artifacts

Local

Friends of Willow Court AGM

September 28, 2015 No Comments

The Friends of Willow Committee invite interested people to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Derwent Valley Council’s Friends of Willow Court Special Committee to be held on Wednesday 7th October 2015, 7pm at the Derwent Valley Community House, The Avenue, New Norfolk. Please come and hear the latest from this committee and the Derwent Valley Council about what the plans for future use for the site are. If there has been a time when Willow Court needs friends, it is now. There is a wonderful and talented group of local individuals that have been on this committee for the past three years and longer for some that have trained themselves professionally to manage such a historic tourist site at Willow Court. They have arranged and participated in workshops and behind the scenes tours with some of Tasmania’s leading tourist attractions managing Port Arthur and the Cascades Female Factory, they have trained with leading tourist industry trainers in Thematic Interpretation and Influencing Ethical Decision Making. Over the last year while the site has been closed they have also made a professional Strategic plan, met with the Legislative Council Committee on Tasmania’s Built Heritage and engaged with The Federal Government around listing the site for World Heritage.

While at times this was overwhelming for the small number of people on the committee we did accomplish much and have clear plans for the future.

Does this sound like something you wish to be involved with?

Pictured here with the Legislative Council’s Build Heritage Committee is (right) Anne Salt, (middle) Vivienne de Bressac and (left) Sharon Hutchison.

Other Committee members are Tony Nicholson, Nadia Lobb, Denise Rushworth, Emily Bullock, Rodney Quarrell, Graham McLean, Lin Hopkins, Rebecca Tudor, Mark Krause and Anne McKinstray.

There have been many other people who have willingly given their valuable time over these past years. Also we can’t forget Cr. Frank Pearce.

Global, Local

Opening soon?

September 20, 2015 No Comments

Well it’s hard to say, but the site is again taking on a Spring look, with green grass and lots of newly installed landscaping. The temporary fences at the very front have been removed and the ramps appear to be complete and a small area at the front gates has been created for people wishing to take photos (pictured below).

Sources for the Derwent Valley Council have reported that there will be an opening celebration followed by a closing of the gates (no date announced yet). The Community House is due to move into the Bronte Ward for the next nine years and the site remains on the market, either for lease or sale.

The Friends of Willow Court are seeking a meeting with the General Manager of the DVC to attempt to find out what their role will be as a committee of the DVC and where they fit into this DVC owned site and gain an understanding of the plans the Council have for the time in between the opening and the sale or lease.

The condition at the last tour of the remaining building is of concern, in Carlton House (C Ward) the unbreakable windows all have been smashed with what would appear to be a hammer or similar. We are hoping that the installed security will soon bring the vandals to justice.

Global, Local

$9 lease of Bronte on agenda

August 21, 2015 No Comments

The Derwent Valley Council will raise $9 over 9 years for the lease of the old and refurbished Bronte Ward in the Willow Court Heritage Precinct according to the new agenda item on the Council’s own website. It is common practice to have a “peppercorn” rent for community services, so this is not unusual. However this will tie up the business capacity of the location for that 9 years to any prospective lessee that the Council hope to attract with their current plans to seek out an International Tourist Operator (or favourable business) to run and operate the site. How this joint lease arrangement and the impact on each party will be affected has not been explored with any type of impact study to date.

Discussion On 16 April 2015, Council considered a proposition for the DVCH to lease a portion of the Bronte Building located at Willow Court. In accord with the Councils direction, discussions and negotiations have continued between Council representatives and DVCH Inc. The proposed Lease Agreement is presented to the Council for confirmation prior to the property being formally offered to DVCH Inc. The lease provides for:

 Annual rental of $1

 Nine year lease term

 Lessee responsible for utility costs such as electricity, water etc.

 Standard conditions associated with maintaining the premises in good order with fair wear and tear accepted, indemnification of liability, and the processes to be followed in the event that the building is substantially damaged through fire, floor or tempest

 Processes if failure by the lessee to observe any of the covenants or conditions The lease is not for the sole occupation of the entire Bronte Building; as is indicated on the diagrams attached to the lease the area known as the dormitory will remain with the Council, together with the area known as the caretakers apartment and adjacent Plant Room. Provision is included within the lease for non exclusive possession of the dining room and kitchen area.

This provision has been incorporated given the unknown future uses of the Derwent Valley Council Agenda – 20 August 2015 Page 58 dormitory area and the need to utilise the dining room and kitchen facilities and the like potentially in the circumstance. During the ongoing discussions the representative the opportunity for utilisation of portions of the external areas to the Bronte Building to be utilised by DVCH Inc. It was considered reasonable to incorporate the use of these areas into the lease Agreement on the basis that DVCH Inc would be prepared to undertake maintenance. The areas are again indicated within the Lease Agreement diagrams.

A further issue that has arisen has been a suggestion by the DVCH Inc that Council make a contribution towards a security system for that portion contained within the dining and kitchen areas. This has not been incorporated into the lease is proposed that it would be more appropriate for quotations to be sought by DVCH Inc for the entire building. The Council could then consider a proposal for a cost sharing arrangement once the likely costs are known. Further, in the event the shared space of the dining room and kitchen comes to fruition, and then it is proposed that a booking system be overseen by DVCH Inc and that costs of cleaning be negotiated closer to that time.

It is understood that the occupation of portion of the Bronte Building stems from the desire to provide some degree of activity and utilisation of the Willow Court areas owned by the Council. Given the Councils intention to also call for Expressions of Interest into the future use of those areas owned by the Council, there is a degree of risk in offering the lease proposed as it may compromise the extent of interest. It is acknowledged, however, that given the degree of uncertainty the expression of interest process may reveal, and likely timelines in the event there are any firm proposals, this arrangement provides a degree of certainty in the immediate term.

It is therefore recommended that the Council offer the Lease of a portion of the Bronte Building to the DVCH Inc for a term of nine years with a annual lease rental of $1.

Consultations That Have Taken Place

(a) The Community Not applicable

(b) Experts Councils Legal representative

(c) Stakeholders Derwent Valley Community House Inc Representatives Proposed Community Consultation, Public Relations and Media Issues Upon formal acceptance of the lease by DVCH Inc, it is proposed that appropriate media release be issued and advertising take place. Derwent Valley Council Agenda – 20 August 2015 Page 59 Budget/Financial Issues The properties owned by the Council in the Willow Court Complex represent a late and significant investment. Maintaining the structural integrity of the buildings will potentially escalate over time. The leasing of a portion of the Bronte building will allow for outgoings and some minor maintenance to be incurred by the lessee. The lessee has also access to grant funds which may enable some additional restoration works to be undertaken. Policy Implications There are no significant policy implications associated with this particular lease arrangement.

It is noted however that a former resolution of the Council associated with embargoing rate payer funds whilst not a policy position, it will need to be addressed by the Council into the future.

Recommendation It is therefore recommended that the Council offer the Lease of a portion of the Bronte Building to the DVCH for a term of nine years with a annual lease rental of $1 under the terms and conditions contained in the lease enclosed.

P.S.

Councillor Bester wants best for Bronte if you consider his post on his Bog Site. He is not happy with the shared use of the building, especially with the previous plans as a tourist attraction and also now the Community House. While we have had these concerns for some time we are yet to hear from any Councillor who voted in favour of the multi use of the building. The 9 year lease will severely affect the likelihood of anyone or an organisation taking on the management and investment in the historic precinct as suggested by the Derwent Valley Council.

Global, Local

Metal fabricated ramps in place.

July 6, 2015 No Comments

The long awaited metal fabricated ramps are now in place at Willow Court, these buildings will, for the first time have mobility access. The placement for the ramp in the Barracks has been done so it doesn’t affect the Heritage building. Also the front gate now has it’s backing metal plate fixed. This is a see through black plate which took me a while to notice as I was looking at the buildings behind. The site was rumored to be handed over to the Derwent Valley Council at the end of June, but no comment has been made from the Council and in the light of no restoration of the landscaping and the ramps still some way off completion we can only assume that the work still goes on. It was reported that no late clauses were in the contract that would normally penalise the contractor for being over the estimated finish time which is a standard part of most contracts now days.

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