FEDERAL MONEY TO HELP PROTECT TASMANIAN HISTORIC SITES

THREE National Historic sites in Tasmania will receive more than $600,000 Federal Government funding for conservation work, Federal Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson said today.

Mr Hutchinson said that he was pleased to announce the funding for Brickendon and the Woolmers Estate, both at Longford, in the north of the state and for the Darlington Probation Station, on Maria Island off Tasmania’s East Coast.

All three are all listed on the National Heritage Register.

“All three are important sites with fascinating histories that date back to the beginnings of white settlement in Tasmania – we have a responsibility to maintain and preserve them for future generations and as the major tourist drawcards they have become,’’ Mr Hutchinson said.

The Tasmanian sites are three of 18 successful projects to share in more than $9 million funding under the Federal Government’s Protecting National Historic Sites program.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt said that the Protecting National Historic Sites program was part of the Government’s commitment to protecting and maintaining the historic values of places recognised on Australia’s National Heritage List.

He said that the sites helped tell the story of Australia’s unique and diverse heritage.

Longford’s historic Brickendon estate will receive $80,000 over three years from the program for conservation works to the roof and associated plumbing works of the homestead.

Brickendon and Woolmers are two of 11 sites that make up the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property. Five of these are in the electorate of Lyons.

The Woolmers Estate has been granted $300,000 over three years for conversation work on the Woolmers’ homestead, the pump house, the coach house and stables, the woolshed and the gardener’s cottage.

On Maria Island, $240,000 in federal funding will be used for conservation works at the Darlington Probation Station as well as on interpretation material which highlights the World Heritage values of the Darlington precinct and its convict history.
FEDERAL Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson