authorities in Tasmania have recommended a bridge be built over an aboriginal heritage site in the path of a road bypass near Hobart.
The Director Of National Parks and Wildlife, Kim Evans, says a permit should be granted to complete the $176 million Brighton bypass on its current alignment over the river levee.
The Heritage Minister, David O’Byrne, says the director’s recommendation has been released for public comment over the next fortnight.
“I’m taking the unprecendented step of releasing these recommendations prior to making a decision,” he said.
“We are doing this in the acknowledgement that there has been significent public debate about the Jordan River Levee and the Brighton Bypass.
“So it’s important that we give people as much oppotunity to see those recommendations and give their views.”
The aboriginal community is lobbying for the route of the bypass to be changed to protect artefacts found at the site dating back 42,000 years, and took its fight to Canberra last week.
