A REQUEST for an extension of land by the National Automobile Museum Tasmania to house retired fire engines will be determined once the intentions of the University of Tasmania in Launceston are clearer.
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Museum director Harry Williscroft and Tasmania Fire Service district officer John Hazelwood addressed Launceston aldermen at a committee meeting on Monday, seeking the extension of the museum into an adjoining car park to house a rotating exhibition of about five fire engines from around the state.
Situated on the corner of Cimitiere and Willis streets, the popular museum leases land from the council but operates privately.
Mr Williscroft estimated the cost of the expansion, which would also include a lift and a balcony area to overlook the fire vehicles, around $350,000.
As part of the project, the museum would ask the council to pay for a lift for disabled or elderly visitors to access an upstairs motorcycle exhibit, at a cost of an additional $60,000.
Alderman Hugh McKenzie asked for the time frame for which the museum was hoping to go ahead with the plan, in light of council’s conversations already under way with the university for a portion of land adjoining the museum and fronting Boland Street, across from the university’s Inveresk site.
Mr Williscroft said while they would like council’s support, they were still able to raise the funds for the project.
He said they were well aware of the importance of the land to the council, but they did not want to waste a lot of money undertaking the planning, only to be knocked back.
Alderman Janie Finlay asked if they were interested in relocating and, if so, what would be their requirements.
However, Mr Williscroft replied the museum had no interest in moving.