The Aboriginal Heritage Council met for their regular monthly meeting on Friday 23 February 2024 in Hobart.
The Aboriginal Heritage Council considered four permit applications under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975. The Council agreed not to oppose two applications for subsurface testing to inform projects. Council requested further information from proponents in relation to two applications, in the absence of which Council felt only able to oppose. In order to meaningfully consider applications for a permit to impact Aboriginal heritage, the Aboriginal Heritage Council expect applicants to have genuinely investigated all options to avoid impact and where that is not considered possible by the applicant, to have invested significant effort in reducing the extent of impact.
The Council also received a briefing from the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and consultant on the West Coast Off Road Vehicle Strategy (WCORVS).
The Council wrote to he Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service with a very clear message that they remain strongly opposed to this strategy that seeks to sacrifice Tasmania’s unique, ancient and irreplaceable Aboriginal cultural heritage to service the interests of the off-road driving community. Council have no confidence that off-road driving on the west coast will be appropriately managed to ensure Tasmania’s unique Aboriginal landscapes and sites of significant cultural value are protected.
The next Aboriginal Heritage Council meeting will be on Thursday 28 March 2024 in Hobart.