Willow Court latest

DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

WILLOW COURT BARRACKS PRECINCT RENEWAL WORKS

June 2013

 

“Progress continues to be made on restoration works at Willow Court” Chairman of the Derwent Valley Councils Willow Court Conservation Special Committee David Llewellyn said today.

“Expressions of interest for work on the Barracks, Bronte and landscaping surroundings were received by the Committee at its June 13^th meeting and I’m very pleased to say that a high number of quality submissions were received”.

The installation of new underground electricity now completed to the site has resulted in new lighting down the length of the avenue and the start of works to repair the broken windows in Bronte is progressing.

Providing lights and electricity to the site and basic repair works are a few of the many current activities overseen by the Committee. 

David Llewellyn emphasised that the Committee is actively pursuing the use of local contractors for many aspects of the work, and has already used a number of local contractors. 

“We expect to award contracts shortly to prepare the necessary planning and heritage documentation to undertake the major restoration and redevelopment works at The Barracks and Bronte, including full landscaping of the heritage precinct”, Mr Llewellyn said.

Willow Court is a nationally recognised heritage precinct, of great importance to the region and nation.  The most historic of the many buildings that make up the site is The Barracks, built around 1830.  The Barracks was built as Tasmania’s first hospital for invalid convicts but soon was exclusively used as a ‘lunatic asylum’.

“The joint funding between local, State and Federal government for the heritage precinct project is an important collaboration”, David Llewellyn said.