Deep discontent is emerging from within the heritage sector at the lack of consultation surrounding the highly selective ‘exposure’ of the proposed new Historic Heritage Bill 2010. The proposed Bill, understood to have been released only to local government stakeholders and the Heritage Council, is likely to have major ramifications for the future management of the State’s historic cultural heritage.
Why such a document would need to be veiled in secrecy in the first place is unclear. Its release in this manner places a huge burden on local government and the Heritage Council to ‘get it right’.
As a key plank of ‘reform’ (a word to be treated it seems with a level of suspicion), one would have thought broad consultation would have been sought surrounding the detail in the proposed Bill. If as one source suggests, it is to be tabled before parliament in the autumn or spring session, it falls to the Minister to urgently explain the reasoning behind the decision not to fully expose the Bill to wider scrutiny.
Let’s hope the poor judgement shown in not releasing the Bill to wider scrutiny will be overturned by new Minister O’Byrne. In this respect, a failure to do so will represent a most unfortunate introduction of Mr O’Byrne to the heritage sector.
It is somewhat ironic that the end of the month sees the Open Doors Program as part of the Tasmanian Heritage Festival – although ‘Lockdown’ is perhaps a more appropriate term where exposure of the Bill is concerned. Heritage owners, advisors and consultants will be affected by the Bill and deserve to be consulted.
Heritage Tasmania is the government department responsible for development of the Bill:
Phone: (03) 6233 2037 or 1300 850 332
Email: [email protected]
