The January meeting of the Derwent Valley Council unanimously voted to subdivide the Heritage Precinct of Willow Court into three lots in a bid to offer long term leases (greater than 5 years) and/or offer for sale, the Heritage Site.

A number of objections were sent in and dismissed by Council.

“It is frustrating that Council have made such a massive change in direction regarding the management of Willow Court without proper community consultation. As noted, it is public land therefore, the community and ratepayers should have had the opportunity to seek clarification and be informed about the proposed changes before it went to this final Public
Notice stage.”

Friends of Frascati

“Please accept my objection to the proposed disposal of the above public property. The grounds for my objection are as follows. I believe that a confusing and unfair approach to the intended lease and disposal of the Willow Court Barracks precinct buildings and spaces has occurred as the original lease appears to be done under section 177 of the Act, whereas the latest lease/disposal appears to be under section 177A. The difference is substantial with one being any land whereas section 177A is public land providing an appeal process.”

Unknown Author.

In the conclusion the Derwent Valley Council wrote:

Overall, none of the points raised in either of the two letters of objection go to the core
considerations under section 178A (3) of the Act, this being that “the community may suffer undue hardship due to the loss of access to, and the use of (Edit: Willow Court), the public land or there is no similar facility available to the users of that facility”.

DVC

The full Agenda can be read from the Council website (28th January). The unanimously decision to proceed with the subdivision is found in the audio recording of the same meeting.