Heritage bill at $3.2m

Restoration works needed at National Trust properties

SOME of the state’s most historic heritage properties are in urgent need of restoration works totalling more than $3.2 million, new documents released under Right to Information reveal.

Released by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, documents show National Trust Tasmania requires $3,260,875 “immediate” funds for restoration and conservation projects at seven Trust owned Tasmanian properties.

The Trust said it also required a further $709,210 to address properties within four years.

The list of properties include Clarendon at Evandale in the state’s North, Launceston’s Franklin House and Old Umbrella Shop and Oak Lodge at Richmond.

Penghana at Queenstown, Hobart’s Penitentiary Chapel and Runnymede are also listed.

In a letter to Tasmanian Treasurer Peter Gutwein, Trust chairman Nicholas Heyward said the Trust’s operating budget was not adequate to provide for basic maintenance of heritage assets. He said assistance was “urgently’ needed to help secure capital funding.

“Addressing these urgent capital works is essential to the preservation of irreplaceable built heritage,” he said.

“The National Trust has engaged with a range of highly experienced and skilled heritage-based practitioners who have advised us about concerns regarding the safety of several of our assets due to failing structural integrity.”

“These concerns relate to both the safety of visitors but also the work safety of our staff and volunteers.

Former Trust council member Chris Merridew yesterday said the Trust’s heritage buildings were crucial to the state’s tourism.

A State Government spokeswoman said the Government allocated $350,000 to the Trust from the 2019-20 Budget to help fund capital works.

“We also provide $312,325 per annum to help deliver its Community Heritage Program, the Tasmanian Heritage Festival, and ensure its sound governance,” the spokeswoman said.