Making a difference…

maintaining our heritage – the Franklin Square Office Complex

The Franklin Square Office Complex consists of eight buildings constructed between 1823 and 1940. This group of heritage-listed buildings has always been used for public purposes and is recognised as a precinct of outstanding cultural significance. Most Tasmanian Government departments have been located in this complex at some stage in their history - among them the Colonial Secretary's Department, Justice, Audit, Public Works, the Police and Convict Department, and the Tourism Department. The Supreme Court, the Magistrates Court, the Agricultural Bank and the Post Office have each occupied particular buildings.

When the Public Offices at 21 Murray Street were completed in 1842, Treasury moved into three rooms on the ground floor. By 2004 the Department of Treasury and Finance had been allocated nearly all the office space in the eight buildings, including the 1884 Executive Building and the 1894 Deeds Building, both of which front onto Franklin Square. Since 1998, Treasury has been the designated building owner, responsible for maintaining the complex. A detailed Conservation Plan, prepared in 1991, has provided the basis for planning the maintenance works for the eight buildings.

Restoration of the external stonework commenced towards the end of the 1990s and the final stage will be completed in 2008–09. These works have involved replacing stone, installing breather strips and removing and replacing the sacrificial render that protects the stone from erosion and rising damp. Stone is replaced only when absolutely necessary and is done so that the impact of the new work on the heritage characteristics of each building can be minimised.

To prevent leaks and to protect the structural integrity and fabric of the buildings, the roofing material was replaced with Colorbond roofing in three stages between 2001 and 2004–05. At the same time, roof walkway systems were installed, along with roof-access anchor points. Safe and proper access that accords with occupational health and safety requirements is now available to contractors who maintain and repair plant and equipment.

Internal maintenance work is also subject to heritage restrictions. Between 2005–06 and 2007–08, we replaced and extended the exit and emergency lighting in three annual stages. This work became necessary to ensure that we fully complied with requirements and that we provided appropriate lighting for emergencies. To minimise the impact on the heritage fabric of the complex, we installed a wireless, radio frequency system.

An Emergency Warning Intercom System was installed during 2005–06. This was to make sure that we could maximise the safety of occupants in an emergency evacuation. This particular system enables the Chief Fire Warden and the other Fire Wardens throughout the complex to communicate effectively during an emergency and to manage the evacuation process in an orderly manner.

We have an ongoing program to replace carpet throughout the complex. This makes it possible to ensure that the floor coverings remain at an appropriate standard for occupational health and safety purposes. The carpet we use has been approved by Heritage Tasmania and was designed to suit the heritage characteristics of the complex of buildings.

In 2001–02, as a contribution to the commemoration of the Centenary of Federation, Treasury redeveloped the entrance forecourt at 21 Murray Street. The forecourt and the garden were created when the John Lee Archer designed 1842 public building was completed, linking the 1823 Supreme Court and the 1837 Police and Convict Building. The restoration of the garden was based on the 1842 and 1845 plans, with the design of fences and plantings matching as far as possible what had been in place in 1901.