Group’s dismay over planned demolition of historic coal shaft in Salamanca Square
Salamanca Arts Centre has spoken out against a state government decision to demolish a historic structure in Salamanca Square. Here’s why.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A historic wooden coal chute in Salamanca Square is set to be demolished amid safety concerns and fears it could collapse.
The decision has dismayed a local arts organisation which says the state government should have done more to maintain the structure.
The coal chute was used to transport coal from Kelly St at Battery Point to the boilers and machines in the courtyard of the old Salamanca Place jam manufacturing facility, which was purchased by IXL in 1910 and operated as Peacock’s Factory.
The factory had closed by 1974 and the government purchased the seven warehouses in Salamanca Place and a cottage in Kelly St, establishing the Salamanca Arts Centre.
Among the most visible reminders of the area’s industrial history are the coal chute and the blockwork wall supporting it, which have been deemed “no longer safe” by the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS).
They are currently cordoned off and are due to be demolished on Monday, July 22.
Dr Ian Broinowski, a director of the Salamanca Arts Centre board, said he didn’t believe PWS had done enough to ensure the chute’s structural integrity was maintained.
“Why didn’t they look at it 10 years ago and reinforce it and make it stable? And the other critical thing is, if a part of Port Arthur or the Female Factory falls down, they don’t just pull them down, they rebuild them,” he said.
“[PWS] have been responsible for this building and they’ve done nothing. And now we’re going to lose a character part of the building and they’re just going to pull it down and maybe put up some sort of interpretation [sign].”
Salamanca Arts Centre (SAC) leases the buildings at 65-77 Salamanca Place, where the coal chute is located.
A PWS spokeswoman said the agency had recently received advice that the chute had “begun to shift” and its structural integrity “cannot be guaranteed”.
“Temporary works to prop the blockwork wall and secure the coal chute have been undertaken, however these measures are not deemed sufficient to prevent collapse of the coal chute and it has been deemed necessary, based on specialist engineering advice, to remove the coal chute under an emergency demolition process due to safety considerations,” the spokeswoman said.
“PWS is working with engineers, Heritage Tasmania, Hobart City Council, and the management of SAC to ensure the coal chute is removed in a way that enables pieces of the structure that have not deteriorated beyond salvage to be retained for future display and/or interpretation.
“PWS has also engaged specialist contractors to fully document the existing structure prior to its removal to support any future decision with respect to site interpretation.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Group’s dismay over planned demolition of historic coal shaft in Salamanca Square
Pint-sized wine bar draws in a Hobart crowd
Tasmanians won’t line up for many things. But they will for Sonny, the pint-sized Hobart wine bar with the super-sized fan club ranked in Australia’s top 100 food experiences.
Tassie whiskeys win on the world stage
Tasmanian whiskeys are proving their worth on the world stage after taking home more than half of the awards available for Australian distillers at the recent whiskey “Olympics”.