“The Project Manager advised that the fence has now received the go ahead from Heritage Tasmania, and will be installed shortly”. Minutes of the Willow Court Conservation Committee (June 2014).
We are looking forward to having the fence erected on the site and we remain keen to know the type of fence that will be installed. There is hope that the new fence will cover up some of the old cars and junk that has been allowed to be stored next to the Heritage Precinct on the neighbouring property. It is unclear what action the Derwent Valley Council can do to have this mess cleared up before the proposed opening in September. Often Council by-laws allow for health and safely issues to be rectified. It is unclear what action can be pursued about storing of old car bodies and an assortment of old building materials.
• We have begun redevelopment work in earnest on Bronte, which has a nine week program. We start with demolition of the intrusive toilet block and then move to construction of new toilets and the kitchen, along with all interior finishes. Roof painting and plumbing has moved to the northern wing now that we have space to erect the scaffolding.
• Electrical and mechanical services are also being installed in Bronte and the Barracks in parallel with this work.
• Landscape works are drawing to a close. Scheduling of landscape works in the Bronte courtyard is dependent upon how the construction work progresses, but should occur during the last couple of weeks of this month. The Avenue pedestrian apron has been laid. Fencing issues should be resolved soon, and then work started.
• Interior finishes are being applied in The Barracks south wing, along with various little tasks around the veranda and external envelope of the building.
Basically, the major works within Bronte are underway and we are also progressing the many little ‘final’
tasks to do across the precinct.
I have had a lot of people wanting to tour Willow Court contact me through this website so I want to let people know what Brett Noble is suggesting, please see his email message below. Brett has a big job on his hands and has taken his responsibility as the Workplace Health and Safety officer of the site and the Senior Project Manager very seriously. He does give us an indication that the site will be open in the near future to all. We look forward to that. Meanwhile the audio tour section of the oval wards has had a new lease of life and the contents are now stored within the website for more reliability along with some photos of the last tour. Find the audio HERE. A quick walk around the oval wards and a listen to the tour will give a good insight into one person’s experience of working at Willow Court in the 1980’s.
I think it is best to hold off on any further tours until the work is finished. There is just too much running around and uncertainty about tasks that may be undertaken on any given day, so my intention is to keep the site clear. It won’t be long before the site is open.
Exploring life from the inside of Carlton House is something many people want to know about, from its history as part of the criminal justice system when it was built in 1908-1910 to it’s last usage to house people living with a disability. This ward of the Royal Derwent Hospital is one of the most imposing structures at the site. It is quite intact and has survived the last 14 years of Derwent Valley Council ownership and neglect. It’s history is rich and would add to the Willow Court historic site in a very different time scale to Bronte Ward and The Barracks. Originally constructed for the criminally insane and later extensively modified and expanded in 1965-68 this building has two yards, one to the east and one to the west. It is a traditional two door security system with high walls. Some old foundations are visible in the east exercise yard which tell a different story of the site before 1908.
Inside the areas are clean and wouldn’t take much to restore. The old doors have had their hinges removed and stolen for their metal resale. One original hinge is kept so others can be cast and the three inch thick laminated wooden, steel re-enforced doors can be rehung. The ceiling in some areas has been exposed but can be left exposed to show the re-enforced metal fabrication fixed to the top of the ceiling rafters makes this escape proof.
Many people have never had the opportunity to visit a site like this and the building tells it’s own visual story. Along with some minor interpretation this site could become part of the Willow Court tour experience. From the time you walk in and see this imposing structure framed by large grey high walls, to the internal structure, this would have to be one of the most interesting buildings on the site. Inside, large dinning area and kitchen area followed by the staff room, Doctor’s room, visitors room, clothing store, bathroom and sleeping areas. Upstairs the bathroom and sleeping areas have been somewhat maintained only because this was one of the hardest buildings on the site to brake into.
Each building sets a different scene and tells a different story about the site, the Barracks started in 1827 and Bronte house was constructed as a medical ward before becoming the high functioning woman’s ward. So each building has a unique quality that sits in it’s own space and time. This would give a visitor access to physical structures from the first building to a much later structure and of course model of use and operation.
So the question remains, does this wonderful building get leased out to a business and structurally changed forever, or does it form part of the history that should be restored and told?
Willow Court Barracks looking fine with landscaping.
Major works continue at the Willow Court site and the landscaping is starting to frame the historic buildings while structural work continues with some minor challenges in Bronte bringing works to a stop for a short time. An opening date still hasn’t been announced as yet from the Derwent Valley Council, nor have they shared any thoughts on any opening celebrations that they have arranged.
What has been happening at the site during the last couple of months?
Quite a lot.
As with any project of this nature, a lot of time and energy is being devoted to planning and detailing the works , which doesn’t immediately translate into visible activity on the site. The Development Application (DA) and heritage permit are now secured. Tenders and negotiations with contractors for substantial elements of the works are well progressed. Getting the sequence of works right — between conservation, visitor access and services — has been organised, but is an ongoing management task.
If you walk past the site along The Avenue today you will see a very active construction site.
Ø Scaffolding has gone up around The Barracks, in preparation for roof plumbing and painting
Ø Landscape works have begun in the Barracks forecourt and along the access route to The Avenue
Ø The Barracks windows and doors have been uncovered and restored to working order
Ø The Barracks verandah posts have been repaired and painted and the base rendered in preparation for lime washing
Ø Work has also begun inside the south wing of The Barracks.
Ø Five rooms have been selected to be opened up for visitors.
Ø A considerable amount of carpentry, masonry and rendering work has already been completed
Ø One room has been lime washed
Interior works will be continued, but roofing works will be the priority while scaffolding is up. The scaffolding will be up around The Barracks for about four weeks, and then will be erected around Bronte in preparation for roofing works there.
Work has also begun on an inventory of artefacts held in storage, supported by an Arts Tasmania grant. The focus of this work is on understanding what has been collected, how to keep it in good condition, and what items will help tell a story for visitors.
We have found some interesting bits and pieces but haven’t yet got to the point of deciding what to do in relation to displays and the like. Local contractors and specialists from around the state are being used. It is pretty busy on site at the moment. We are still looking at an April finish, but it is getting pushed back a bit – these things do take time and there is a lot of work to sequence and get through. Hopefully we will not get an unexpected holdup.
Thanks
Brett
Brett Noble
Senior Project Manager (Willow Court Project)
For a full overview of the restoration works you can visit our Restoration Page
The minutes for the December Conservation Special Committee have been released and are here for you to read. There is still no clear direction for the opening date and events after the restoration is complete. A letter was sent to the Project Officer Mr Brett Noble asking for an update, but nothing has been received back yet. While visually we can see some works progressing on the external building we are not sure of any internal works.
Tonight I have written to all the known candidates that are standing in the seat of Lyons in the upcoming state election. I hope to have a reply soon to share with all the Willow Court Supporters. This is what I have asked:
Dear Candidate,
As a candidate for the seat of Lyons this coming election we (Willow Court Advocacy Group) would like to know your thoughts or your party’s thoughts on the sensitive redevelopment of the Willow Court Site. We would appreciate if you would take the time to read and respond to our questions. Your response/non response will be published on our website, Facebook group and Facebook page so Willow Court supporters can make valid judgements at the ballot box this March.
1. This site is a world heritage site; will you support a listing to protect the social and physical history of the site?
2. Do you support an apology to the previous Residents for the Government policies that separated and denied people with a disability from being able to access their families and communities?
3. Many more dollars are required to fund the restoration of the site, how will you support this and help create jobs in the New Norfolk/Derwent Valley area?
Thank you for considering these questions and I hope I can upload your response soon.
