The Aboriginal Heritage Council met for their regular monthly meeting on Friday 25 November 2022 in Hobart.
Council considered two permit applications, resolving to not oppose the first permit with no conditions, and to not support the second permit.
The Water Policy and Planning Branch (Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania) previously attended the May 2022 Aboriginal Heritage Council meeting to introduce water management planning, discuss engagement pathways and seek feedback around Tasmanian Aboriginal freshwater interests. At November's Council meeting they presented the draft report titled “Aboriginal Freshwater Interests - What Are We Learning?" that consolidates the feedback they received from initial engagement with Aboriginal people. They came to Council to seek input to ensure that the report is appropriate to give back to Community in its format and content. The Branch team will return to Council next year to give an update on their work.
Rodney Dillon, Chair, provided the Council with feedback from the meeting of Heritage Chairs and Officials of Australia and New Zealand held in Fremantle 24-25 November. An important topic discussed at the meeting was national Aboriginal heritage standards. He noted that states that have what appear to be more robust Acts to protect heritage compared to other states like Tasmania, are still unable to prevent the destruction of Aboriginal heritage. It was agreed at the meeting that national baseline standards are needed to provide stronger protection across Australian states and territories.
The next meeting of the Aboriginal Heritage Council will be held on Friday 16 December 2022 in Hobart.