Llewellyn up for the challenge

David Llewellyn

RESTORING and sensitively developing Willow Court was a daunting task, new historic site chairman David Llewellyn said today. Speaking at the formal handover of an agreement between the Derwent Valley Council and the State Government, Mr Llewellyn said he was aware of the task ahead of him.

"This is such an important site," Mr Llewellyn said. "Its history goes way back. It is an important history that hasn't been told [and] the buildings haven't had the advantage of restoration."

Mr Llewellyn said he had volunteered for the role of chairman of the Willow Court Conservation Special Committee and he was now seeking expert committee members. "I already have a few names in mind," he said.

Restoring Willow Court is expected to cost $10 million over some years, but Mr Llewellyn said every project needed to start somewhere.  "We know what the priorities are," he said.

There is about $500,000 left in the council's Willow Court account and this will be transferred to the new committee. Proceeds of the sale of the nearby recreation ground will be added to the kitty if it clears various planning hurdles.

Heritage minister Brian Wightman thanked Mr Llewellyn for taking on the chairmanship of the new committee and said he would need the support of everyone from the community and council level through to the state and federal governments.

Mr Wightman said Willow Court was indeed a significant site, older than Port Arthur. "We need to work together to look after this place into the future," he said. Mr Wightman said the most interesting thing was that while the hospital closed in 2000 its earliest section dated to 1827 and was built on best-practice models of the time.

Mr Wightman said Willow Court had a significant story to tell and he was pleased to have reached this point after a series of robust discussions.