Yesterday, two women took the Tasmanian Heritage Council to court in a bid to protect significant Aboriginal sites.
They are seeking to protect an archaeological site north of Hobart. Relics which may be 40,000 years old are threatened by a $164 million dollar bypass.
Aboriginal activist Michael Mansell says that Tasmania’s heritage laws fail to protect Aboriginal sites. The state’s heritage minister, David O’Byrne, says that he agrees that the legislation is outdated.
In this report: David O’Byrne, Tasmanian Heritage Minister; Michael Mansell, legal director of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
Listen to or download story: HERE
Mercury:
Hobart enters bypass dispute
SALLY GLAETZER | August 23, 2010 12.01am
THE Hobart City Council has stepped into the debate over the construction of the Brighton Bypass.
Alderman Peter Sexton will urge his fellow councillors to lobby for the protection of a site deemed to be of immense archaeological value.
The State Government is facing pressure to change the route, to avoid the Jordan River levee.
An archaeology report found the site had Aboriginal artefacts dating back almost 42,000 years.
The Government plans to erect an overpass above the levee site, to avoid excavation, but Ald Sexton said that was short-sighted and disrespectful.
“There’s going to be great interest in this [site] if it’s properly managed and properly heralded to the world instead of being buried under concrete,” he said.
“It may become a mecca for not only Aboriginal people and anyone interested in Aboriginal culture but other people from around the world.”
Acting Brighton Mayor Geoff Taylor told the Hobart City Council to mind its own business.
“It’s ridiculous to think they can change the route, it’s far too late,” he said.
The historical site would not have been discovered if not for the bypass construction work, he said.
But Ald Sexton said now it had been discovered, it was in the interest of all Tasmanians to have it protected and publicised.
He will introduce a motion at tonight’s council meeting calling on Lord Mayor Rob Valentine to lobby the state and federal governments to formally recognise the site as nationally significant.
The Supreme Court in Hobart will hear arguments today about the Tasmanian Heritage Council’s refusal to protect the site.
