Woolstore on agenda

In the last meeting before local government election polling begins on Tuesday, aldermen will consider a number of amendments to the $7.8 million project that will integrate with the development of the Silo Hotel.

The developer behind the hotel, Errol Stewart, has already sought permission to demolish the woolstore at his cost and recycle some of the timber in his development.

The council has been asked to pay for some asbestos disposal.

The amendments before the council include reusing other materials from the woolstore, such as old mechanical wool presses salvaged from the building, and interpretative panels will highlight the significance of the area to Launceston in the past.

Other amendments include a levee-top walkway that will connect to the silo site, landscaping features to  represent the woolstore’s footprint and  shaded areas for visitors.

At the meeting aldermen will also discuss a move for  the issue of heavy vehicle motor tax revenue to be raised at the  Local Government Association of Tasmania general meeting on November 19.

If that  is recommended, the council will seek that the association and state treasury undertake a study into the scale of funds from the tax that would be distributed to councils to offset damage caused by heavy vehicles on roads.

The meeting will also discuss community grants for individual/team/group funding for those aged under 18, totalling $13,450.

Requests came from National Joblink, which sought $3000, the St Giles Society,  which sought $5000, and Fusion Australia, which asked for $4800 and has been recommended to receive $3600.

A further 11  individuals and groups also sought and have been recommended to receive amounts ranging from $100 to $300.