Media release – Tasmanian Heritage Council, 15 March 2023

Two new registrations contributing to the diversity of the Tasmanian Heritage Register

The Tasmanian Heritage Register contains almost 5,000 places of heritage significance to Tasmania, with two recent entries approved for provisional registration by the Tasmanian Heritage Council, contributing to greater diversity in the Register.

The Cataraqui Shipwreck, Memorial and Grave Site (THR#11998) located on King Island is the first shipwreck site to include a land-based element to be entered on the Register, following a nomination from a member of the local community.

The 1845 wreck of the Cataraqui remains the largest civilian maritime disaster in Australian history, with over 400 people losing their lives. The place is significant for demonstrating the shipping hazards of Bass Strait and in combination with the other nearby shipwrecks, prompted the development of navigation aids in Bass Strait.

There are two memorials that commemorate the wreck and the lives lost, one on the shore overlooking the wreck site, and a second marking the location of a mass grave for victims.

The Hobart Supreme Court Complex (THR#10047) will be one of the youngest buildings on the Tasmanian Heritage Register, having been opened over two stages in 1975 and 1980. Registration of the site was also progressed through the public nomination process.

The architectural significance of the Hobart Supreme Court Complex is recognised nationally, being awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Enduring Architecture Award and is a showcase for local craftsmanship and Tasmanian materials.

The Hobart Supreme Court demonstrates the qualities of an important public building, dignified and solid, but without an obvious display of authority. Sir Stanley Burbury, Chief Justice of Tasmania from 1953 to 1973 and the first Australian born Governor, was influential in the design of the court rooms.

“It’s pleasing to see the Heritage Council receiving nominations for places of significance that extend beyond the traditional colonial buildings that perhaps come to mind when thinking about Tasmania’s built heritage,” said Chair of the Tasmanian Heritage Council, Ms Brett Torossi.

“Tasmania has such a rich collection of built heritage due to the protections provided by state legislation and the passion of local communities to preserve our heritage places – creating land and streetscapes that are uniquely Tasmanian and contribute strongly to the Tasmanian brand.

“The Heritage Council is progressing various projects aimed at increasing the value and accessibility of the information on the Tasmanian Heritage Register to the community. One such project has been to provide open access to the Register and associated datasheets for all registered places via the LIST – making these rich stories available 24/7.”

A link to the heritage layer on the LIST, can be found here – https://heritage.tas.gov.au/heritage-listed-places/search-the-register.