Tonight’s annual general meeting of the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee had special guest, Mr Brett Noble who gave us an update on works at Willow Court. The development application plan will be submitted to Heritage Tasmania and will take at least 42 days before works can begin. The Heritage council were invited to visit the site and have accepted to tour with Mr Brett Noble.
A maintenance/development plan will be submitted to local council for approval and will be open for public consultation for 14 days. Willow Court Advocacy Group have been included in the electronic distribution of that information so stay tuned.
Some new and changed aspects from the last restoration report are; the plant room attached to Bronte Ward was originally thought to be an area which would be left with a Perspex viewing door. Now this will form part of a Care Taker’s Apartment.
Also the Recreation room in Bronte Ward will have the false ceiling removed which will expose the cell/room structures that once served as bed rooms. The carpet tiles will be removed and the old linoleum that is below will be cleaned up and some minor repair completed. This floor is in good condition.
The veranda will replace the toilets that were a later edition to the rear of Bronte. It was initially thought that this veranda would be open, but now it will be closed and the floor will be evened out with timber for easy level access for all visitors.
The Barracks will have all the doors and windows that face the courtyard fully restored and will be operational. The wooden rails will be painted. The roof will be painted with a modern product which is based on an old tar surface. It is believed that this roofing surface will give the building 10-20 years extra life. There is an issue with the galvanised iron and aluminium rivets reacting and causing a detrition and rust. It may be a future option when Willow Court is up and running that the roof can be replaced when the funding is available.
Frascati House will have some structural work to support the fireplace which has some large cracks.