Aboriginal heritage sites on Tasmania damaged by people in 4WDs

An Indigenous group and conservationists in Tasmania have raised concerns about ancient Aboriginal sites being damaged by off-road four-wheel drives.

According to the Bob Brown Foundation and Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, people have been spotted illegally using closed tracks in the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area – an area with Indigenous historical and cultural significance.

Foundation campaigner Scott Jordan told reporters, “Aboriginal heritage is being destroyed on this coast. It is unacceptable.”

“Those coastal areas are highly sensitive. They’re areas that were walked by the Aboriginal people for over 40,000 years.

“They weren’t ever landscapes subjected to 4WD vehicles, tearing through those sites. We’re seeing sensitive vegetation being destroyed (and) shorebird nesting and breeding disturbed.”

There is debate over whether these tracks should be open or closed. State Liberal Minister Felix Ellis, representing the electorate of Braddon which covers the west coast, said the situation is “not black and white.”

“Obviously, we all need to be playing by the rules,” Ellis said. “Personally, I’m on the record, I think we should be opening those tracks. A big part of that is the local Indigenous community, they want to get down to (that) part of the world.

“We need to obviously manage the heritage there, it is really significant heritage. But also provide people access to their country.”

Mr Jordan and Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign co-ordinator Nala Mansell have called for more park rangers and police patrolling the region to prevent further damage to heritage sites.

“It’s easy to see the Aboriginal cultural heritage all around that area,” Ms Mansell said.

“As people are driving over Aboriginal midden sites I’m sure they’re aware of what they’re doing.

“The issue is there is no one there ensuring they stay away.”

“We’ll continue to work on law enforcement and making sure people are doing the right thing.”