Developer Free For All: Result of Attack on Historic Heritage

Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Matthew Groom, has confirmed in Budget Estimates Committee that the Tasmanian Liberal government would be removing 1653 places from the Heritage Register.

“The removal of 1653 historic buildings and places from the Heritage Register will leave significant cultural heritage without legislative protection,” Ms O’Connor said.

“This retrograde move will send a shudder through the community, particularly those organizations and individuals who value and are proud of Tasmania’s rich, historic built heritage.

“If a third of properties are removed from the Register, it will be a developers’ free for all and significant heritage values will be lost.

“This is a government that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

“Our rich, historic cultural heritage has enormous intrinsic value but it also has great economic value to Tasmania, with heritage tourism integral to jobs and growth.

“Minister Groom told us today that the Heritage Council would be assessing the removal and that it was independent of government, but the number listed in the Budget Papers is oddly specific.”

“Mr Groom demonstrated once more today that everything precious to Tasmanians is available for the right price.”

“The decision to gut heritage protection in Tasmania is the high price of the Liberals’ “open for business” mantra; a developers’ free for all,” Ms O’Connor said.