The Aboriginal Heritage Council met for their regular monthly meeting on Friday 16 December 2022 in Hobart.
This meeting marked the conclusion of two Council member’s terms. Council would like to take this opportunity to thank Rob Anders and Merv Gower for their active participation in the Council meetings and business. We much appreciated their insights and friendships over several years. We wish you both well with any future endeavours.
Council considered one permit application, resolving not to oppose the application, and recommend two conditions.
The final Council meeting for 2023 finished with a full agenda that included four presentations:
- Lake Meadowbank crest gates refurbishment (drawdown and re-fill) - Hydro
- Duplication of Midway Point and Sorell Causeways – Department of State Growth
- Overland Track Recreation Zone Plan - Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
- Huntingfield housing project update - Community Services, Infrastructure and Housing
Each presentation throughout 2022 provided the Council with an opportunity to reiterate that it is their responsibility to ensure that every effort is made to minimise impacts to Aboriginal heritage sites. The diversity of presentations at the December meeting is an example of how presentations are an effective platform for Council to have their position heard and acknowledged by a broad range of government and non-government stakeholders that cover a wide range of issues.
In 2022 the Council considered 24 permit applications. Out of the 24 permits, 21 were not opposed and 3 were opposed. There were many complicated and varied issues amongst the permits considered. The Council were supported in their deliberations by Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania’s Operations team that includes highly experienced and dedicated archaeologists and Aboriginal heritage officers. Council also provided guidance regarding proposals and research in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area supported by the Cultural Management Group. The Council would like to express their gratitude for the teams support and look forward to their continued partnership in 2023.
The next meeting of the Aboriginal Heritage Council will be held on Friday 24 February 2023 in Hobart.