Ross is a significant heritage icon in Tasmania’s central midlands, where many visitors marvel at the 186 convict-made stone carvings on the bridge, a unique body of art made in 1836.
Many people then wander onto the land nearby to explore the unique convict stables, and are surprised. Visitor surprise could become quite a shock, if they see a fence erected across the back to the stables, destroying the heritage experience of this significant convict site.
How could this happen?
In the latest Minutes of the Ross Local District Committee I read: “It was raised at a recent Lyons Electorate meeting about the sale of the police house in Ross. Minister of Police was unable to answer, however Rebecca White contacted Commission of Police who advised it would be sold.” https://www.northernmidlands.
The property boundary of the Police house runs past the back of the old convict stables, which can be seen in the plan and the aerial photo below.
If, or when, the Tasmanian government sells the Police house, there would be nothing to stop the new owner erecting this fence on their boundary.
We have written to the Police Minister and the Heritage Minister to bring this problem of fence to their attention.
If the Police house must be sold, we are calling on the Tasmanian Government to subdivide the rear of the land, so that it remains public, and the old Convict stables will be visually protected from a fence intrusion of boring and confronting proportions.
There is a plan below which shows where the subdivision boundary could best run, to preserve the heritage parkland.
We also suggest, rather than sell the Police property in Ross, it may be possible to explore an artist in residence program in this house, where the Ross Bridge would provide unusual inspiration.
We imagine that many artists and writers would really love to spend a couple of months in Ross, tuning in to the heritage and inspiration, with the Ross Bridge just a glance away.
Ross resident Jennifer Bolton stands by the sign calling for heritage parklands in Ross, which is included below. The fence of the Police house in Ross can be seen in the right of this photo, but the actual property boundary is much further on, and runs next to the heritage significant convict stables, which can be seen in the plan and aerial photo.
