Greens leader and heritage spokeswoman Cassy O'Connor has called on Heritage Minister Will Hodgman to lift the "cloud of uncertainty" over sites listed on the state's heritage register, as Labor awaits further information on issues detailed in a two-year audit revealed last week.
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Internal Heritage Tasmania documents, released under right to information, show the audit found confidence in the boundaries of heritage listings - which dictate how much of a property is protected under state legislation - was measured at 76 per cent.
Of the datasheets containing information about a property's significance, location and boundaries, only 25.5 per cent were considered acceptable. One released email suggested work to fix the issues could take up to 15 years at 2016 staffing levels.
"What a shambles," Ms O'Connor said. "Where is the minister and premier, Will Hodgman?"
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She added clarity was needed about what the findings of the audit meant for the protection of "treasured places" like Cataract Gorge and "all the other heritage gems" entered on the register.
"Clearly, the Hodgman Government's savage cuts to Heritage Tasmania haven't helped to ensure the integrity of the Heritage Register," Ms O'Connor said. "The premier needs to commit to ensuring our heritage experts are resourced to clean up this shameful mess."
Labor's parks, heritage and environment spokesperson Alison Standen said Labor was awaiting a "briefing from the government" before commenting further.
A Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokesperson last week noted the audit had found about 850 entries needing amendment or revision.
A number of entries made to the Tasmanian Heritage Register in the two years after its establishment in 1997 contained limited detail. Amendments to the Heritage Act in 2014 included a clause to ensure no prior entries could be deemed "invalid or defective" for not fully complying with the requirements for listing.
Mr Hodgman was asked whether there were concerns that entries would not stand up to legal scrutiny and whether the documents showed more staff were needed to fix the issues.
In response, a government spokesperson said only that the audit was carried out "to confirm the accuracy of the location and boundary information" of the early entries.
"This government is working to ensure accuracy, currency and accessibility to the Tasmanian Heritage Register," they added.
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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.
