New habits for Priory monks

Retreat includes winery, cafe and shop

TASMANIA’S first Benedictine monastery has taken a step forward, with the local council initiating planning scheme changes which will pave the way forward for the rural community of monks.

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.

In 2018, 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. The first stage of the project, which will see the redevelopment of a heritagelisted home and the building of 18 dormitory units, was approved last year.

The Southern Midlands Council voted on Wednesday to initiate a planning scheme change to create a specific area plan for the 1000ha rural site, against which all future development applications will be assessed.

Planning documents show there are six monks currently living at the site, with further details of the long-term future of the development revealed.

The long-term plan for the site includes three precincts — the monastery precinct for up to 50 monks, a visitor precinct which is likely to include a bookshop, interpretative material about the monastic way of life, small scale food and retail sales and a winery, plus a retreat precinct with guest accommodation.

“Members of the priory will also use this precinct for formal preached retreats, where they stay in the centre and partake in daily conferences and activities,” the planning documents stated.

“The precinct will include accommodation facilities and small-scale services such as a cafe and visitor shop specifically for retreat guests.

“The accommodation will be specifically for guests and retreat participants. It will not be a hotel or the like for general tourists.”

The planning scheme amendment will be publicly advertised for comment before being forwarded to the Tasmanian Planning Commission for consideration.