The Tasmanian Government is committed to protecting the State’s heritage values.
This week I had the privilege of visiting two Tasmanian heritage sites (Clarendon House and Brickendon Estate) to view capital and conservation works being undertaken on these iconic properties.
It was valuable to be able to see first-hand the works being progressed at Clarendon House as a result of a $350,000 investment to the National Trust by our Government, also helping to stimulate activity in the building and construction sector.
Brickendon Estate is also benefiting from significant State and Federal investment following the recent announcement by the Australian Government to provide $7.4 million in funding for World and National heritage tourism and infrasctructure projects under the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund. These funds will be shared between Brickendon and Woolmers Estates, the Cascades Female Factory in Hobart, and projects in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
From that Federal funding, $400,000 has been provided to Brickendon Estate to better separate its commercial farming activity from the historic farm village, to address work health and safety needs, and conserve its historic 1830s wool shed. Woolmers Estate has received $233,000 to undertake urgent conservation works on the historic farm stables and heritage machinery.
Our Government has already provided significant funding to the heritage sector, committing $3 million towards the construction of the new History and Interpretation Centre at the Cascades Female Factory back in June this year as part of our record $3.1 billion construction blitz, which will support 15,000 jobs over two years.
While COVID-19 has affected our visitor economy, it is important that we take the time to rejuvenate our heritage sites in preparation for interstate visitation once our borders open to safe states on 26 October.