The state's statutory heritage body will conduct a "timely" review its policy for intervention on sites with active development applications, after a case involving a former convict station discovered south of Launceston last year.
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The Kings Meadows Convict Station was located on the site of a residential subdivision - approved almost two years earlier - during a City of Launceston Council-funded excavation in October. A nomination for state heritage listing was received by the Tasmanian Heritage Council in November.
At its December meeting, the Heritage Council agreed to review their policy stance on entering a site to the Tasmanian Heritage Register once a development application had been initiated, or if a matter is before the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal or Tasmanian Planning Commission.
At present, the body will only do so if the place is "of such significance that this action is justified".
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A Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokesperson said the decision reflected a "standard practice" of the Heritage Council to review its policies on a regular basis to ensure they "retain their currency, reflect any subsequent changes to legislation, due process and community expectations".
"The Heritage Council has asked Heritage Tasmania to assist it with this task," the spokesperson added.
"This policy reflects the fact that the Heritage Council is a part of the wider resource management and planning system and its work is integrated with the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993."
A preliminary RMPAT hearing for an appeal of the Central Highlands Council decision to reject a tourism development at Halls Island in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area will be held Monday. A heritage nomination was received for the site earlier this month.
The Kings Meadows site was labelled "highly significant" by Australia's peak historical archaeological body after its discovery, with calls made for more investigation. Further excavations were conducted last month.
According to meeting minutes, the Heritage Council was briefed on the Kings Meadows site by Heritage Tasmania director Pete Smith and endorsed the work being done by the department to establish the significance of the site.
The body also noted its support for the measures being taken to "proactively" engage with the City of Launceston and the private landowner.
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Matt Dennien
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
