THE Liberal government has been accused of cultural and economic vandalism over its decision to slash 1653 properties from the Tasmanian Heritage Register. The number of properties on the register will be cut by as much as 30 per cent this financial year, from 5553 to 3900. Tasmania's heritage-listed properties receive legislative recognition and protection, with any proposed modifications requiring approval by the Heritage Council. The council has now been directed to revisit the register and scrap properties "not deemed to be of state significance". The government said the move would save property owners from unnecessary regulatory burden. A spokesman for State Growth Minister Matthew Groom said locally significant buildings would be removed from the register. Tasmanian Greens heritage spokeswoman Cassy O'Connor said the move highlighted the dark side of the government's "open for business" mantra. "The Liberals know the price of everything but the value of nothing," Ms O'Connor said. "This makes no sense and it will damage both heritage values in Tasmania and our reputation as a heritage state." Ms O'Connor said Launceston and surrounding Northern towns could be hit hardest by the proposed reduction, with the region densely populated with significant heritage buildings. Launceston Historical Society president Marion Sargent said she was horrified by the Liberals' "irresponsible and short-sighted" plan. "If these places are taken off the register, people will have no legislated obligation to save them from ruin," Ms Sargent said. "These places can't just be recreated once they're gone - if they fall apart or disappear, there will be nothing left." Heritage building restorer Bruce Crerar said scrapping properties from the register was a "frightening and retrograde" step. "What we've got here in Tasmania is an absolutely wonderful legacy of built heritage that is unique not just to Australia but to the world," Mr Crerar said. "We should be protecting that heritage, not unwinding it." Mr Crerar said he feared the government's plan could lead to a "free-for-all" for property modifications, with heritage properties destroyed in favour of new developments. But the government spokesman said delisted properties would still be protected under local planning schemes, where they are provided for in those schemes. "This move will provide significant savings to owners of properties which will be removed from the register, while the cost of maintaining the register is also expected to be reduced significantly," he said.
THE Liberal government has been accused of cultural and economic vandalism over its decision to slash 1653 properties from the Tasmanian Heritage Register.
The number of properties on the register will be cut by as much as 30 per cent this financial year, from 5553 to 3900.
Tasmania's heritage-listed properties receive legislative recognition and protection, with any proposed modifications requiring approval by the Heritage Council.
The council has now been directed to revisit the register and scrap properties "not deemed to be of state significance".
The government said the move would save property owners from unnecessary regulatory burden.
A spokesman for State Growth Minister Matthew Groom said locally significant buildings would be removed from the register.
Tasmanian Greens heritage spokeswoman Cassy O'Connor said the move highlighted the dark side of the government's "open for business" mantra.
"The Liberals know the price of everything but the value of nothing," Ms O'Connor said.
"This makes no sense and it will damage both heritage values in Tasmania and our reputation as a heritage state."
Ms O'Connor said Launceston and surrounding Northern towns could be hit hardest by the proposed reduction, with the region densely populated with significant heritage buildings.
Launceston Historical Society president Marion Sargent said she was horrified by the Liberals' "irresponsible and short-sighted" plan.
Launceston Historical Society president Marion Sargent
"If these places are taken off the register, people will have no legislated obligation to save them from ruin," Ms Sargent said.
"These places can't just be recreated once they're gone - if they fall apart or disappear, there will be nothing left."
Heritage building restorer Bruce Crerar said scrapping properties from the register was a "frightening and retrograde" step.
"What we've got here in Tasmania is an absolutely wonderful legacy of built heritage that is unique not just to Australia but to the world," Mr Crerar said.
"We should be protecting that heritage, not unwinding it."
Mr Crerar said he feared the government's plan could lead to a "free-for-all" for property modifications, with heritage properties destroyed in favour of new developments.
But the government spokesman said delisted properties would still be protected under local planning schemes, where they are provided for in those schemes.
"This move will provide significant savings to owners of properties which will be removed from the register, while the cost of maintaining the register is also expected to be reduced significantly," he said.
