The iconic Art Deco period buildings form an historic link to the history of what is a massive site with a wonderful diversity of Architectural styles. I recently contacted Derwent Valley Councilor, Damian Bester to to find out about the future of these Art Deco Buildings.
If we rewind to the early part of 2010, the Council put the oval and buildings out to pubic tender. There was no outright successful Tender, but I have been informed by recent correspondence by Cr Bester that in a closed Council meeting on May 11th that is was decided
"to directly negotiate with four of the unsuccessful tenderers to bring about the sale of the oval. The council proposes to put a yet-to-be-determined project to the tenderers and ask which is prepared to build it."
But what about the oval ward buildings themselves? What of their future? There needs to be greater transparency in regards to what has been mentioned as the "yet-to-be-determined project". Surely the public has a right to know what is planned? Will the oval be lost to a car park, shopping complex, apartments? All just assumptions, but there can only be assumptions without transparency. The heritage listed Art Deco Oval precinct Buildings need to be taken into consideration if the oval is to be built on. Buildings something unsympathetic to the heritage listed Art Deco wards is just as bad as leaving them to ruin.
Cr Bester in relation to this question has said that in his opinion "the decision on May 20 to negotiate to transfer the whole of the site to the government, should over-ride the earlier decision to negotiate the sale of the oval, but I would appear to be on my own there"
Watch for future blog updates as Cr Bester has informed me that there was a Councillor Workshop held on the 8th June "to discuss the requirements of Council for the Oval space". Cr Bester was unable to attend this meeting but has informed me that he has "asked for a report to come before a proper council meeting for a decision" Maybe this report will answer many questions that remain, at present, unclear.
Clear and transparent action needs to be taken urgently before these historic and heritage listed buildings are lost forever
"The heritage listed Art Deco Oval precinct Buildings need to be taken into consideration if the oval is to be built on. Buildings something unsympathetic to the heritage listed Art Deco wards is just as bad as leaving them to ruin." What protection does heritage listing give anyhow? Can a developer do what he wants, if he can prove the protected buildings are unsustainable?
ReplyDeleteBut the worst bit was when the Council put the oval and buildings out to "pubic tender". You Tasmanians are a funny lot :)
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ReplyDeleteWhy, in your opinion do you see the public tender process are bad decision?
ReplyDeleteBuildings that have been owned by Councils and Governments all around Australia have been put out to tender, so this is nothing unique or special to Tasmania. It doesn't necessarily make it right to do so, but the issues are often complex and involved and I think each case needs to be looked at individually.