Monastery plans closer to approval
THE first stage of Tasmania’s first Catholic monastery, which will see the redevelopment of a heritage-listed home and the building of 18 dormitory units, has been recommended for planning approval.
In February 2017, a Benedictine monastic community was founded in Colebrook known as the Notre Dame Priory.
It is run under the direction of the Catholic Archbishop of Hobart and was founded by Fr Pius Mary Noonan, an American-born monk who was invited to start the monastery by Archbishop Julian Porteous.
Last year, through loans from benefactors and the Catholic Development Fund of Tasmania, Fr Pius purchased the heritage-listed Colebrook property, formerly known as Hardwick House, for $3.2 million.
Tomorrow, the Southern Midlands Council will vote on a development application that proposes a change of use of part of the property for a monastery and the construction of new buildings on the 1000ha rural site.
The application has been recommended for approval by council officers with 22 conditions. Proposed renovations of Hardwick House would accommodate a communal kitchen, library, study rooms and offices for monastery activities.
The monks would be housed in 18 prefabricated dormitory units, which would be 13 sqm each with a bedroom/ living space and a bathroom.
The application has been approved by Heritage Tasmania, subject to conditions.
The long-term plan for the site includes a guesthouse, retreat centre and winery.
The council received one representation against the project from the owner of a neighbouring property, which raised concerns about a lack of community consultation.
“This has not been done in a consultative manner and is likely to impact negatively on property prices,” the representation reads.
“Having a religious compound is not a good fit to the current zoning or community.
“We would not have purchased our property for the price we did had we known of this development.”
Last month, concerns were raised about the living conditions of the monks, with an anonymous source telling the Mercury they had spent the winter living in caravans on a rented property in Rhyndaston.