OUR HERITAGE AT RISK -  TASMANIA - 2009

• Willow Court, the former Asylum Precinct, with Military and Convict Hospital, New Norfolk 
• Macquarie House, Hobart
• Tasmania’s Rural Cultural Landscape

MOST AT RISK PLACES

Place: Willow Court, the former Asylum Precinct, with Military and Convict Hospital, New Norfolk
Threat: Development, Neglect

Description of Risk:
Willow Court precinct is part of the larger Royal Derwent Hospital and is the earliest building in the precinct. John Lee Archer designed the Colonial Georgian Palladian barrack style Frescatti” building as a picturesque villa and through the use of now rare building methods, namely brick nogging, and the timber hall which is a rare surviving example of a pre-fabricated building dating from the mid nineteenth century. It is u-shaped in plan arranged around and with an entry from a central airing court. 

The complex consisted of a hospital and asylum complex was commenced in 1833.Various buildings which form part of the Willow Court precinct have progressively been restored.  Willow Court is the remaining building yet to be preserved in a manner where it can retain many of its original classic colonial features but still be adapted to be a viable commercial and or government building. It has suffered vandalism inclding removal of copper fittings and electrical infrastructure, smashing and kicking in of windows and walls and even some of the original Blackwood staircase being used for skateboard ramps.

Desired Outcome / Vision:
Support from Government and local Council quarters to help with the major conservation of the site is necessary. The Derwent Valley Council is looking to obtain funding support but given the economic climate it could take time which results in the building being unoccupied for a lengthy period of time into the future.The  Trust would like Willow ourt to be conserved so that its heritage values are retainedwhile it can be succesfully  adaptively re-used as a viable commercial or government undertaking.

Place: Macquarie House, Hobart
Threat: Development and devaluation

Description of Risk:
A considerable level of community concern for the proposed development of Macquarie House in Hobart, associated with the rear of the property at 3 Victoria St, has been aired through the media during 2009.  Architectural historian and heritage consultant Warwick Oakman noted that “We're losing buildings and we're losing our fabric of the city at a rate equal to the 1960's. Macquarie House, the building you can't understand Hobart's development without. It was a three storey high house with battlements on top to stop the French when they came up the Derwent.” Built in 1815 as a private residence and used as a "defact" Governmnet House by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, it was converted to one of Hobart's earliest residential hotels in 1821, and was known as the smartest hotel in Hobart Town. It has been through a number of important historical incarnations as a seminary, Boarding House, school and residence and is of architectural and social heritage significance.  The owner is currently appealing a former decision not to approve the 10 storey development proposal at 3 Victoria St, which if allowed would engulf Macquarie House.

Place: Macquarie House, Hobart
Threat: Development and devaluation

Description of Risk:
A considerable level of community concern for the proposed development of Macquarie House in Hobart, associated with the rear of the property at 3 Victoria St, has been aired through the media during 2009.  Architectural historian and heritage consultant Warwick Oakman noted that “We're losing buildings and we're losing our fabric of the city at a rate equal to the 1960's. Macquarie House, the building you can't understand Hobart's development without. It was a three storey high house with battlements on top to stop the French when they came up the Derwent.”

Built in 1815 as a private residence and used as a "defact" Governmnet House by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, it was converted to one of Hobart's earliest residential hotels in 1821, and was known as the smartest hotel in Hobart Town. It has been through a number of important historical incarnations as a seminary, Boarding House, school and residence and is of architectural and social heritage significance.  The owner is currently appealing a former decision not to approve the 10 storey development proposal at 3 Victoria St, which if allowed would engulf Macquarie House.

Desired Outcome / Vision:
A development application submitted to Hobart City Council 2008 combines the preservation of one of the oldest surviving buildings in Hobart with an innovative approach to realizing the commercial potential of the property.The Tasmanian Heritage Council in 2008 approved the demolition of 3 Victoria Street because of the level of industrial contamination arising from its use as a service station for some eighty years. The National Trust wishes to see government support for the conservation of Macquarie House building so as to provide a wonderful model for the preservation of significant heritage buildings through innovative design fostered by a relationship between the commercial and not for profit sectors. It is hoped that the building will remain in the original context as first designed so that the streetscape for this site is no overwhelmed by surrounding modern developments.

A development application submitted to Hobart City Council 2008 combines the preservation of one of the oldest surviving buildings in Hobart with an innovative approach to realizing the commercial potential of the property.The Tasmanian Heritage Council in 2008 approved the demolition of 3 Victoria Street because of the level of industrial contamination arising from its use as a service station for some eighty years. The National Trust wishes to see government support for the conservation of Macquarie House building so as to provide a wonderful model for the preservation of significant heritage buildings through innovative design fostered by a relationship between the commercial and not for profit sectors. It is hoped that the building will remain in the original context as first designed so that the streetscape for this site is no overwhelmed by surrounding modern developments.

Place: Tasmania’s Rural Cultural Landscape
Threat: Development, planning and loss of heritage values

Description of Risk:
The diverse rich cultural landscape in Tasmania has been organically evolving with changing use and occupation since settlement. The rural cultural landscape tells the story of early agricultural development. Apart from clear felling in some areas of the natural bushland, and reforestation with planting the rapid modifications to land use through the agricultural sector in Tasmania has given most concern to the Community. 

The change from  traditional land use and farming techniques has altered  the cultural landscape; in particular there has been a loss of hedgerows and wind-break tree plantings. Dramatic changes to the rural landscape are now occurring at a ever-quickened pace with the introduction of  centre pivots as farmers are looking for high yielding crops. This nomination aims to raise awareness of the need tore-assess the importance of these landscapes and how the rural community might be supported in the management. 

Desired Outcome / Vision:
The state's rural cultural landscapes make a fundamental contribution to Tasmania's identity for Tasmanians and visitors alike. These landscapes in practice constitute a significant part of the state's tourist infrastructure and provide much public enjoyment. Despite these significant community benefits responsibility for the maintenance of these landscapes rests almost entirely with property owners.

The important cultural and economic benefits that are derived from significant rural cultural landscapes have been widely recognised in many parts of the world. This has seen the development of a variety of programs to support property owners in maintaining and conserving these living, working landscapes that are in a constant state of change. A key to the success of these programs has been the provision of supportive professional advice and incentives by government to property owners to manage their property in an environmentally and culturally sensitive manner.