Minister confident of success

Martyn Evans, Brian Wightman and David Llewellyn today

TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE

Brian Wightman MHA
Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage

Sunday, 6 May 2012

The Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Brian Wightman, today welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Derwent Valley Council to help secure the future of Willow Court.

The Tasmania Government is committed to helping the Council redevelop the New Norfolk heritage site as a community asset and visitor attraction. The most historic parts of the site - including the historic barracks precinct - are owned by the Council. The rest of the site, and the former Royal Derwent site, are privately owned.

“Willow Court is an important site that means a great deal to the local community. It’s important to provide some confidence and certainty about its future,” Mr Wightman said. “This MOU will help the Derwent Valley Council realise its plans for the site, and again make this place a source of pride and opportunity for the local community,” he said.

The MOU formally establishes a seven-member Special Committee to develop a program of works, and oversee the development plans. The committee will include an independent chairperson, a community representative, and a representative from Heritage Tasmania.

The council will use $750,000 of existing State Government funding to kick-start the works program, and support conservation work and essential maintenance.

“The Government has made a big commitment, especially in such tight financial times,” Mr Wightman said. “With the expertise provided by the Special Committee, I’m confident that money will now get things moving on the council-owned parts of the site.

“Willow Court is a large site, with many opportunities. By working together, we can realise its potential. The MoU signing is a significant milestone. It should give fresh confidence to anyone interested in Willow Court, that its conservation and maintenance is on track,” he said.