Derwent Valley Council: Negotiations for use of Willow Court buildings to continue despite concerns of council handling of process

Negotiations for the use of buildings at a former convict hospital site will continue despite concerns over the council’s handling of the process.

Willow Court. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

NEGOTIATIONS for the use of buildings at a former convict hospital site will continue despite concerns over the Derwent Valley Council’s handling of the process.

Thursday night’s council meeting at New Norfolk faced a second round of public questions about the way it conducted an expression of interest process in the use of buildings it owns on the Willow Court site

After receiving advice that a probity inquiry had been launched into the EOI process, last month’s council meeting decided to lease three buildings to the New Norfolk Distillery and to start discussions with the Salamanca Arts Centre about two others for a community arts hub.

Responding to public questions last night, acting general manager Daniel Smee said there was no reason why those negotiations should not proceed at the same time as a probity audit.

Derwent Valley Council acting general manager Daniel Smee, left, and mayor Ben Shaw. Picture: DAMIAN BESTER

“The process of a probity review does not preclude the ongoing assessment and negotiations that are under way,” Mr Smee said.

“The process of review is looking at what’s occurred in the past and there’s been no decision of council to cease the ongoing negotiations.”

Questioners included former councillor and Friends of Willow Court secretary Anne Salt, who resigned her seat on council the morning after last month’s council meeting.

That meeting saw the council decide not to proceed with the Friends of Willow Court’s EOI for the site, while opting to progress other proposals received after the closing date.

In response to public questions at that meeting, general manager Greg Winton, now on leave, said all four EOIs had been assessed on their merits but he was aware of speculation that one had received preferential treatment.

Derwent Valley Council general manager, Greg Winton.

“I am commissioning a probity report to respond to those assertions,” Mr Winton said.

Thursday night’s meeting also heard about advice that a decision to have councillors involved in the discussions for the leasing of council-owned sections of Willow Court could compromise the final decision-making process and expose the council to risk.

“The mayor has advised he will speak with other elected members regarding this and council officers will continue discussions with proponents,” Mr Smee said in a report.