Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026 at 1:32 pm
To: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: ATTN Dean Edsall: Cottage - 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn
Dear Mr Norman.
I write in response to your email of 29 April 2026.
I reiterate the advice I provided to you on 20 April 2026, that the Council cannot facilitate your request to access the property.
In relation to the other matters you have raised, your position is acknowledged. A further response will not be provided.
The Council has approached this matter in an evidence based, transparent and accountable way. If you disagree, I encourage you to contact the Office of the Ombudsman Tasmania. Contact details are available at the following link: Ombudsman Tasmania
Regards,
Dean Edsall
Dean Edsall | |||
T 03 6323 3511 | |||
From: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 28 April 2026 11:34 AM
To: Dean Edsall <Dean.Edsall@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Cc: Tandra Vale <mycommunitytasmania@gmail.com>; Kim Leevers <kim.leevers@gmail.com>; Rosemary Armitage <rosemary.armitage@parliament.tas.gov.au>; CECILY ROSOL <cecily.rosol@parliament.tas.gov.au>; Director Local Govt <localgovernment@dpac.tas.gov.au>; Ian Boersma <enquiries@heritage.tas.gov.au>
Subject: ATTN Dean Edsall: Cottage - 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn
Good morning,
Thank for your email and the information you have provided. There is another issue that has come to my attention, and that is the matter of public consultation relative to management’s recommendation to ‘governance' regarding the strategic determination to be made by the elected Councillors – and especially so given that this building which is ‘public property’. For your reference this has been drawn to my attention – TASMANIAN GOOD GOVERNANCE GUIDE
Given that this property has a significant Community of Ownership and Interest (COI) it seems that Council’s management has deemed that a community consultation process was not required/appropriate for whatever reason albeit that this property has ‘heritage credentials’ along with layers of other ‘values’ held by various people and groups in the city.
Of course, I may have missed such a process for various reasons. If there was such a process, can you please put my assumption that there wasn’t to right for the record. Here there are issues that are fundamentally to do with 'transparency and accountability'. Moreover, there are issues to do with the city’s ‘housing stock’ and then there are people in the building’s/place's COI paying close attention to that given Australia’s/Tasmania;/Launceston’s housing crisis.
It is said that in everything, there are winners and losers. Every dystopia is a utopia for somebody else – tenants and investors. So, it is also said that it depends upon who and where you are. Are you in the class that benefits, or are you in the class that's not intended to?
Regards,
Ray Norman Polemicist, Cultural Producer, Cultural Geographer, Researcher
The lifestyle design enterprise and research network
PH: 0488 011 376
eMAIL: raynorman7250@gmail.com
Delamere Cres Trevallyn TAS 7250
WEBsites: http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” David Morrison
Consultant
https://raynorman7250.blogspot.com/p/zingconsult.html
https://notrubbish.blogspot.com/
I acknowledge the First Peoples – the Traditional Owners of the lands where we live and work, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. I pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the research zingHOUSEunlimited undertakes
Response 28 - 4 - 2026
Regards,
Regards,
Ray Norman
...........................
From: Dean Edsall <Dean.Edsall@launceston.tas.gov.au>
To: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: Cottage - 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn
Dear Mr Norman,
I write in response to your recent emails to the Council regarding the cottage at 62 Gorge Road, Trevallyn.
In terms of your 20 April 2026 email, I have reproduced your questions and provide the following responses.
- Is this cottage solely under the jurisdiction of the City of Launceston without any inhibitions or restrictions?
No, the cottage is currently leased to the Trevallyn Park Improvement Association (TPIA).
- Is there any evidence of this property at 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn ever being assessed for heritage listing on Councils records, or indeed anywhere else?
The Council is not aware of the cottage having been assessed for heritage listing, and notes that it was not included in the most recent review for local heritage listing by the Council.
- Given that the "cottage presents a number of significant safety risks”, is it safe to assume that anyone ‘expressing an interest’ in it might only be granted access provided that, they personally took all the appropriate precautions as would any "appropriately qualified and licensed [professional]” and did presumably during the property’s assessment for Council?
Access will only be granted at stage 2 of the Expression of Interest (EOI) process, provided that all safety risks can be addressed by the ongoing parties.
- Is it anticipated that a council officer will be supervising inspections by any interested parity during the expressions of interest process and how might anyone discover that and any conditions that might apply?
Yes. Access conditions will be discussed with applicants proceeding to stage 2.
- Will interested parties be required to provide their own safety protection when and if council permits them to inspect the property during the expressions of interest in response to council’s advertisement?
Safety requirements will be discussed with parties that have proceeded to stage 2 of the EOI process.
- Would anyone entering the property’s grounds prior to the expressions of interest process be regarded as trespasses?
Yes. Entry to the property without the permission of the TPIA, or the Council when it takes control of the site, will be considered trespass.
- In the event that this property is demolished, who will be supervising its demolition?
The demolition of the property would be undertaken and supervised by a licensed contractor. This contractor would be overseen by one of the Council's Facilities Officers.
- In the event that this property is demolished, who will be supervising the appropriate management of the recoverable resources invested in it?
The extent to which resources can be recovered is not presently known. Management and removal will depend upon the latent condition of the building since last assessment and the risks identified in previous investigative reports provided to the Council. Resource recovery will be assessed by the demolition team onsite, involving consultation with the Council's overseeing Facilities Officer.
- In the event that this property is demolished, what conditions will apply to the management of the recoverable resources invested in it?
Refer point 8 above.
- In the event that this property is relocated who will be supervising its relocation and at what cost?
The responsibility for removal of the building under the EOI process will be the responsibility of the successful applicant.
- How and when, in the cause of transparency and accountability, will council be keeping ratepayers et al informed of any developments in regard to 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn's, relocation, demolition and/or these things for any other property of interest to the community and a property’s COI?
The Council will provide an update to Councillors on the status of the EOI process as it develops. Subject to any confidentiality requirements that may arise from the EOI applicants, it is intended that a public update would also be provided if the EOI process proceeds to stage 2, and if an applicant is successful in securing formal approval to remove the building.
In response to your 24 April 2026 email, the 19 March 2026 decision of Council requires the Chief Executive Officer to oversee the EOI process and to execute all necessary legal documentation to give effect to a successful submission. If an acceptable outcome is not achieved as part of that process, the cottage will be demolished. Please refer to Recommendation 4(g) of Item 20.3 of the Minutes of the 19 March 2026 Council Meeting.
Regards,
Dean Edsall
Dean Edsall | |||
T 03 6323 3511 | |||
From: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, 24 April 2026 11:12 AM
To: Dean Edsall <Dean.Edsall@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Cc: Tandra Vale <mycommunitytasmania@gmail.com>; Kim Leevers <kim.leevers@gmail.com>; Rosemary Armitage <rosemary.armitage@parliament.tas.gov.au>; CECILY ROSOL <cecily.rosol@parliament.tas.gov.au>; Director Local Govt <localgovernment@dpac.tas.gov.au>
Subject: FW: Cottage - 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn
Dear Dean Edsall,
Thank you for your time today and your advice that officers were working on providing answers to the questions that arise as a result of my seeking access to 62 Gorge Road for the purpose of assessing the site relative to a possible documentary.
I noted that I might expect a response to them within days.
However I am still struggling to see how such a visit might compromise the Expressions of Interest process that is in process – albeit that there may be a tenuous connection.
As I said I’m assuming that it will be the elected representatives who will consider and decide upon the outcome of the EoI and ideally in open council. That being so I struggle to see the veracity of your suggestion except for Council being disinclined to facilitate the making of a documentary.
In any event I look forward to your further advice.
Regards,
Ray
From: Ray Norman
Date: Monday, 20 April 2026 at 9:05 pm
To: Dean Edsall
Subject: RE: Cottage - 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn
Good afternoon Dean,
Thank you for email in response to my request for access to 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn, is arguably a significant heritage property of interest to a growing Community of Ownership & Interest (COI). Given your advice a number of issues arise that I’d/we'd appreciate some clarification on. This is information that does not seem to be available and accessible.
- Is this cottage solely under the jurisdiction of the City of Launceston without any inhibitions or restrictions?
- Is there any evidence of this property at 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn ever being assessed for heritage listing on Councils records, or indeed anywhere else?
- Given that the "cottage presents a number of significant safety risks”, is it safe to assume that anyone ‘expressing an interest’ in it might only be granted access provided that, they personally took all the appropriate precautions as would any "appropriately qualified and licensed [professional]” and did presumably during the property’s assessment for Council?
- Is it anticipated that a council officer will be supervising inspections by any interested parity during the expressions of interest process and how might anyone discover that and any conditions that might apply?
- Will interested parties be required to provide their own safety protection when and if council permits them to inspect the property during the expressions of interest in response to council’s advertisement?
- Would anyone entering the property’s grounds prior to the expressions of interest process be regarded as trespasses?
- In the event that this property is demolished, who will be supervising its demolition?
- In the event that this property is demolished, who will be supervising the appropriate management of the recoverable resources invested in it?
- In the event that this property is demolished, what conditions will apply to the management of the recoverable resources invested in it?
- In the event that this property is relocated who will be supervising its relocation and at what cost?
- How and when, in the cause of transparency and accountability, will council be keeping ratepayers et al informed of any developments in regard to 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn's, relocation, demolition and/or these things for any other property of interest to the community and a property’s COI?
I look forward to your response as it will assist considerably in our efforts to interrogate issues to do with PLACEmaking for HOMEmaking and environmental sustainability. Having focused on the issue of sustainable communities and Australia’s housing crisis our network aims to be proactively engaged – see https://placemakinghomeplaces.blogspot.com/
Interestingly, the Australian Institute is currently pointing out that Australia’s housing stock is more than adequate to meet the nation’s needs, it is just the case that too large portion of the nation's housing stock is owned by investors. ‘Governance' – Federal, State and in particular Local Govt – is said to be a vector in this dystopia. Moreover, speculatively, rightly or wrongly, many of these “investors” are also said to be close associates off elected representatives and the elected representatives.
Also, it is said, rightly or wrongly, that many are working in 'public service’ and are investing privately in ‘property’.
There is no suggestion that any of this is illegal or otherwise untoward, it just the case that it seems to be a factor in Australia’s housing crisis. I/we look forward to your response given all that is at stake.
Regards,
Regards,
Ray Norman
Polemicist, Cultural Producer, Cultural Geographer, Researcher
The lifestyle design enterprise and research network
PH: 0488 011 376
eMAIL: raynorman7250@gmail.com
Delamere Cres Trevallyn TAS 7250
WEBsites: http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” David Morrison
Consultant
https://raynorman7250.blogspot.com/p/zingconsult.html
https://notrubbish.blogspot.com/
I acknowledge the First Peoples – the Traditional Owners of the lands where we live and work, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. I pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the research zingHOUSEunlimited undertakes
From: Dean Edsall
Date: Monday, 20 April 2026 at 1:38 pm
To: raynorman7250@gmail.com
Subject: Cottage - 62 Gorge Road Trevallyn
Dear Mr Norman,
Thank you for your recent request regarding access to the cottage at 62 Gorge Road, Trevallyn, and for outlining your interest in undertaking filming and obtaining a second opinion on the condition of the building.
The City of Launceston has carefully considered your request with advice from our governance team and senior technical officers. Based on the information currently available, the cottage presents a number of significant safety risks, including issues identified through assessments undertaken by appropriately qualified and licensed professionals. For this reason, The City of Launceston is not in a position to approve access to the building for the purposes you have outlined.
While the City of Launceston is not obliged to provide access, we have considered whether access could be entertained subject to appropriate safety controls. At this stage, establishing controls that would adequately manage the identified risks would involve a substantial undertaking and has not been demonstrated as being practically achievable.
Council has resolved to progress an expression-of-interest (EOI) process for the removal and potential repurposing of the building. Granting access to an individual party outside of this process could provide an unfair advantage and compromise the integrity and equity of the forthcoming EOI process. This process will be open to the broader community, and you would be welcome to participate should you wish.
I appreciate your interest in this matter and trust this clarifies Council’s position. Please contact The City of Launceston's customer service team should you require further information.
Regards,
Dean
Dean Edsall
Executive Leader Community Assets and Design
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