Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Nick McKim, which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Arthur Pieman Conservation area in the takayna/Tarkine region of Tasmania has globally-significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values,

(ii) 15 recreational vehicle tracks in the area have been closed since 2012 to protect the cultural heritage values of the site,

(iii) this decision was upheld by the Federal Court after the Tasmanian government tried to reopen three of the tracks in 2014,

(iv) despite the ban, there has been ongoing damage to these sensitive areas by illegal and reckless drivers of off-road vehicles,

(v) the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and other Aboriginal groups oppose the tracks being reopened,

(vi) the Tasmanian government has applied to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment for approval to reopen tracks 501, 503 and 601 under the Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act 1999 [Cth], and

(vii) the Tasmanian government has failed to consult with the Aboriginal community prior to making the application;

(b) agrees that:

(i) any reopening of the tracks would inevitably lead to more damage to environmental and cultural heritage values, and

(ii) it is grossly culturally insensitive for the Commonwealth to even consider the Tasmanian government's application, while flagging increased penalties for interfering with European cultural history; and

(c) calls on the Commonwealth Government to reject the Tasmanian government's application to reopen the tracks.