Establishing a Cultural Landscape and Historic Centre at Lenah Valley in the Vicinity of Ancanthe Park
Proposal submitted to HCC by Saving Ancanthe Action Group
June 2012
Attachments to this proposal, to be presented at HCC Meeting on 25 June 2012, are:
1. An international e-petition of academics and experts on the Franklins
2. Letters of support from Heritage experts around Australia and
3. A Community Petition respectfully requesting that the Hobart City Council facilitate the purchase of the land at 270A Lenah Valley Rd, Lenah Valley for the development of Cultural/Historical Tourism and the amenity of the community.
The reason for requesting that the Council facilitate the purchase of this land is the cultural and historic significance of the Lady Franklin Museum set within its wider landscape at 270A Lenah Valley Rd, which is attested in a number of reports commissioned by HCC and others 1998, former RNE 2003, Sheridan 2010, Sheridan 2011 as specially worthy of conservation.
The argument that visitors will not be able to see the subdivision from Ancanthe Park because of a planting of trees is completely misleading. It is not unreasonable (in our view) to expect that modern urban residential development will follow on the subdivided land parcel. From time immemorial, this area has not had urban residential development. The degree of land use change therefore will be very significant. As it is, in its natural state, the site dates back to colonial times and is the last vestige of the natural landscape and the last link to Mount Wellington, intended by Lady Franklin as a backdrop to the Museum.
If the cultural landscape can be protected, the following alternative suggestions (a few of many options) to a subdivision would enhance the site for cultural/historical tourism: Botanical /Wet-Mixed indigenous forest ‘Garden’ Centre for the Arts in consultation with the Art Society University Collaborative Research Centre focussed on Ancanthe and the legacy of the Franklins Interpretation Centre/Design Centre incorporating a Café and venue to be hired out for community events and private functions Site for a public Sound and Light Show The Starting Point for a Franklin Trail extending from Lenah Valley to Macquarie Harbour.
This Proposal incorporates points from a Community Forum held on Sunday 15 April 2012 and from a discussion held at UTAS on 23 May 2012.
Saving Ancanthe Action Group Proposal submission to HCC June 2012 2
The cultural and historical significance of the landscape at 270A Lenah Valley Road
The area which includes Ancanthe Park and the adjacent land at 270A Lenah Valley Rd is extraordinarily rich in history which is of local, state, national and international significance. The cultural significance of this landscape is increasing year by year. The Senior Heritage Officer of HCC says in the 270A Lenah Valley Road Committee Report …
Download to read the full submission:
Saving_Ancanthe_Action_Group_Submission_to_HCC_June_20121.pdf
Download David Crean McMansion threat to Tasmanian temple, Sue Neales, The Australian, Dec 13, 2011:
Bushy Creek Valley
Earlier on Tasmanian Times, Gwenda Sheridan:
• Ancanthe … all that will be lost
Ben
July 2, 2012 at 17:23
So … given that a housing subdivision already exists within 10 metres of the Lady Franklin Museum, what exactly is going to be lost from this site if a private landowner is allowed to subdivide land that is a substantial distance from the museum? Especially after that landowner has (generously IMO) offered not to sell-off the closest block of land to the museum.
I can’t help feeling this whole thing is a non-issue being reaction driven by two things only:
1) The belief held by some people that the site, or some intangible quality that exists on the site but that cannot be named or described, will be destroyed or lost or somehow harmed if a nearby subdivision is allowed – something that appears patently untrue given the extremely close location of existing homes built following subdivisions; and,
2) The fact that the subdividing landowner is a former Labor politician.
Ben
July 12, 2012 at 16:04
*sound of crickets chirping*