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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Aboriginal artefacts covered by new path in Tasmania

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Documents & data Under investigation
  • Over 100 Aboriginal artifacts were covered by a new path built by a Tasmanian government agency.
  • The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre stated the tools, estimated to be hundreds of years old, were damaged during construction.
  • Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania is conducting further inquiries into the incident.

More than 100 Aboriginal artifacts have been covered over after a Tasmanian government agency gave permission to build a new path in the state's north. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) says the tools, estimated to be at least hundreds of years old, were damaged during work to build a new walking and cycling track in Launceston's Trevallyn Reserve.

deeply distressing

— Rebecca DigneyTAC chief executive Rebecca Digney described the situation as "deeply distressing."

TAC chief executive Rebecca Digney described the situation as "deeply distressing." She highlighted the site's significance, noting that "so much of our cultural heritage has been destroyed, particularly close to cities and towns." Digney added, "This is one site that we had where that heritage was largely intact."

so much of our cultural heritage has been destroyed, particularly close to cities and towns. This is one site that we had where that heritage was largely intact.

— Rebecca DigneyTAC chief executive Rebecca Digney highlighted the site's significance, noting that "so much of our cultural heritage has been destroyed, particularly close to cities and towns." Digney added, "This is one site that we had where that heritage was largely intact."

The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) conducted rehabilitation works in March, covering a former gravel track with imported fill to create the new path. A spokesperson for Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania (AHT) stated that PWS sought advice from AHT archaeologists before starting work. "Advice was provided that works could proceed without the need for a permit and formal consultation," the spokesperson said. However, after an individual raised concerns, AHT staff inspected the site and will conduct further inquiries.

Advice was provided that works could proceed without the need for a permit and formal consultation

— Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania spokespersonA spokesperson for Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania stated that PWS sought advice before starting work and "Advice was provided that works could proceed without the need for a permit and formal consultation."

Documents viewed by the ABC from Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania indicated that "the proposed works do not intersect with any locations of Aboriginal heritage." They also stated that works should proceed with a "high degree of caution." The area, near Launceston's city center, has been occupied by First Nations people for thousands of generations and served as a safe haven during colonization. For the TAC's Pakana Rangers, it is an outdoor classroom for passing on cultural knowledge. Heritage officer Reuben West described seeing the "irreversible damage" as "quite heartbreaking."

the proposed works do not intersect with any locations of Aboriginal heritage

— Aboriginal Heritage TasmaniaDocuments from Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania indicated that "the proposed works do not intersect with any locations of Aboriginal heritage."
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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