Aboriginal heritage issues delay plans to build $13M aged care facility in Hobart

Housing Tasmania’s plans to provide affordable accommodation for up to 50 residents at Wirksworth Park in Bellerive (pictured) have been on hold for five months because of the need for final approvals on the site related to its Aboriginal heritage.

The State Government-owned site includes the heritage-listed Wirksworth House, which was built in 1888. Consumer advocacy groups protested the construction of the facility, arguing that the design of the facility did not “reflect the heritage, environmental and community values of the site” and expressed concerns that many trees would be removed in the process.

Housing Minister, Roger Jaensch, assured concerned parties that the existing Wirksworth House “would be preserved in accordance with Heritage Council regulations,” the facility would only take up a third of the site, and inject $30 million into the local economy – creating more than 30 full-time jobs for aged care staff.