THE State Government has revealed southern Tasmania’s biggest infrastructure project could stall if it is unable to end the stalemate with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community before Christmas.
The state infrastructure department also admitted it could have handled communications with the Aboriginal community better as it conducted heritage investigations around the $200 million Brighton Bypass and Transport Hub.
But Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources secretary Norm McIlfatrick has strongly defended the techniques used to uncover and preserve Aboriginal relics believed to date back 18,000 years.
Police yesterday made a further 25 arrests as members of the Aboriginal community again defied court orders and tried to obstruct heavy machinery working on the southern section of the bypass.
Five of the group were remanded in custody until late last night after allegedly contravening the conditions of their bail from last week’s arrest.
Activists also travelled to the Hotel Grand Chancellor last night to try to meet Premier David Bartlett to discuss their concerns about the project.
