Former Greens leader Bob Brown said he had previously photographed vehicles driving through sand dunes in the Tarkine.  

Mr Brown said vehicles driving through sites could potentially destroy irreplaceable Aboriginal history.

The government is currently looking to reopen some tracks that were previously closed in the region. 

Mr Brown said more needed to be done to deter people from riding in the area.

“Photos sent to the then ministers of off-road vehicles smashing dunes and middens were met with zero action,” he said. 

“Ancient Aboriginal rock carvings in the Tarkine have been chiseled.”

Members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community have previously stated that it was not just specific sites that were significant, but the landscape as whole as it told the stories of the past.  

But Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam said there was a way for all groups to work together to ensure the area was protected. 

“There’s only a very small percentage of people that do the wrong thing, most people do the right thing and actually take care of the land and the tracks and the area,” Cr Quilliam said.

“I know a lot of these people don’t like seeing anything happen to the area and so they’re more likely to look after it.

“We do need to protect the Aboriginal heritage and artifacts … I think if we work with the Aboriginal people, especially our local group, we would get a far better outcome than we’ve had in the past.” 

Environment Minister Matthew Groom previously told Parliament the government was increasing penalties for those who accessed the restricted areas.

“I believe that the community respects the position of the government in supporting sensible recreational access into these areas but it must be done in a way which is consistent with the law,” Mr Groom said.

“It must be done in a way which is respectful of natural and cultural values of the area.” 

It was revealed earlier this week that a specially-made barge was spotted in the area to transport all-terrain vehicles to closed tracks.