#derksen #newnorfolkdistillery #tasmanianliberals #rockliff
Quick read In short For four years, Tasmanian community has been increasingly divided over the future of historic buildings at Willow Court, town's former asylum. For four years Tasmanian community has been increasingly divided over the future of historic buildings at Willow Court, town's former asylum. The distillery was also promised a $1.2 million grant from the Liberal government outside of standard processes. While distillery explores its legal options, a community group is hoping to bring the town together to discuss new options for site. A Liberal Party-linked distillery will be asked hand back the keys to a disused historic Tasmanian site after the local council voted terminate its lease over unpaid rent. This ends a four-year saga of tense council meetings and a grant from the Liberal provincial government outside the usual processes. Derwent Valley Council claims New Norfolk Distillery owes it more than $100,000 in rent for three buildings in the Willow Court asylum heritage site. The distillery claims council did not delay end of lease because it did not provide services to site. The distillery initially believed that the municipality would give it the old shelter buildings free of charge. The matter was discussed in closed council on Thursday night and councilors are believed to have passed a motion to terminate the distillery's lease and explore options for recouping the rent. Derwent Valley Council acting chief executive Ron Sanderson said all parties would be kept informed. "Invoices for four years' rent have been sent... not yet paid," he said. "No capital work has been done. We will discuss further steps with our lawyers next week." Participation of Minister only as 'local member' The distillery is headed by Tarrant Derksen, whose brother Justin Derksen is a former Liberal candidate, the distillery's former manager and an adviser to State Development Minister Guy Barnett. Earlier this year distillery was offered a $1.2 million grant from the state government outside usual processes, to be combined with a government loan for capital works. One of conditions of grant was that distillery owned buildings, but it was unable to negotiate a sale with city. Documents obtained under freedom of information show that the distillery sent a letter to Mr Barnett's office in February last year complaining about a lack of government financial support. Mr Barnett's office then forwarded the letter to the state growth minister. Mr Barnett confirmed he had forwarded the letter but said he was involved as the local member for Lyons and acted appropriately. The documents also show that a $1 million grant was proposed to Prime Minister Jeremy Rockliff on February 10. When the grant was approved 10 days later, it had increased to $1.2 million. Tarrant Derksen said he did not know what caused this increase. Internal communications indicate that funding grant to the State Department for Growth
