A MEETING at the Derwent Valley Council tonight found few answers to the problem of security at the Willow Court historic site. The special workshop was convened in the wake of the destruction of one of the 1930s buildings at the site last weekend.
Mayor Martyn Evans said police and fire representatives had been invited to the meeting and he welcomed New Norfolk Fire Brigade chief Colin Triffitt and second officer Peter Brazendale. However, the mayor said Tasmania Police had decided not to be represented as the matter was "too political". Councillor Damian Bester said this was a great disappointment as the purpose of the meeting was to consider ways to protect the historic site, not to discuss politics.
There were several members of the public present and this did not sit well with some councillors. Mr Triffitt gave a description of the weekend's fire and in response to questions said alarms and a sprinkler system were the only real solution to the fire risk at the historic site. He noted that these were once in place but were no longer operational and a new installation would be expensive.
Mr Triffitt said fires at the Willow Court site were difficult, no matter when and where they occurred. The buildings were old and dilapidated and posed a risk to the safety of firefighters. Coincidentally, a training exercise had been conducted some weeks ago in F Ward, the building that was destroyed last weekend.
Deputy mayor Barry Lathey commended the fire brigade's attitude to the safety of its members, but expressed concern about the organisation's rescue role. A former fire chief, he said the brigade should not stand by and watch a building burn when there may be people inside. Mr Triffitt acknowledged Cr Lathey's experience and said the fire brigade did not shirk from its rescue responsibilities, but the safety of its firefighters was paramount.
Willow Court Working Party member Simon Rolfe asked whether there was enough water on site and Mr Triffitt said although this had improved in recent times, the brigade had not been informed of the site of the new fire hydrants. Council general manager Stephen Mackey said this was the responsibility of Southern Water.
Mr Triffitt said the fire service was developing an emergency management plan for the historic site. Cr Bester commended the brigade on its efforts and for preventing the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings. This was echoed by Heritage Tasmania director Pete Smith who was also in attendance.
Cr Evans said the key to resolving the issue of security at Willow Court was to have the site open to legitimate users as soon as possible.
Good to be kept informed of what's going on behind the scenes. Agree the police attitude was disappointing, really not consistent with their role in society!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see some more fencing up at Willow Court (shame it takes such a catastrophic fire to prompt action there). Not sure how much of a deterrent it will be but it sends a better message. Perhaps Council could invest in some more sturdy temp fencing by the Barracks by saving money in NOT paying for the fence around the old Admin Building.
As for getting legitimate users in - how's Council going with the Memorandum of Understanding with the State Government ... more stone walling or are you actually trying to drive the process? Council needs to be more forceful.
"There were several members of the public present and this did not sit well with some councillors"
ReplyDeleteWas it a closed meeting?
As Elvis famously put it: "A little less conversation, a little more action!"
ReplyDeleteYet another meeting, another committee and... and hey, another building gone. Keep it up guys, soon enough you won't have to worry about it any more.
As for this bit: "the mayor said Tasmania Police had decided not to be represented as the matter was "too political"." Seriously??? What an absolute joke this is.
Yes. Let's have a meeting to discuss having a meeting about perhaps making a decision. Very disappointing.
ReplyDeleteThere is $750,000. No, it will not cover all the work that needs to be done. But for god's sake make a start!
I have a few answers in the short term.
ReplyDeleteKeep the fences around the oval, add barbed wire on top, make sure the fence can not be lifted up like the ones around bronte. Board up all windows doors etc. Have good security firm on site that do regular patrols.
Make sure the fences and access points are regulary maintained and secured (thats a big one)!!!
When we have electrity add flood lights and down the track CCTV.
I know this won't stop someone who desparatley wants to burn the place down via a molotov coacktail but it will make alo harder than it was, plus they run the risk of being caught.
Full time security onsite is the appropriate solution to what is already a giant cluster bomb exploded.
ReplyDelete