The City of Launceston council sought confirmation Heritage Tasmania would not enter a former convict station on the state's heritage register prior to the department receiving a nomination, new documents show.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Emails released under right to information show the council's city development manager Richard Jamieson wrote to a Heritage Tasmania staff member on November 6 last year, seeking "confirmation if possible" the state's statutory heritage body - the Tasmanian Heritage Council - did not intend to list the Kings Meadows Road Station site.
In that email, Mr Jamieson referred to a message received in writing from a redacted source in February, explaining the site had never been nominated to the Heritage Register, though several similar stations were.
"Although we would be happy to receive a nomination for the site ... we already have our work program mapped out for the year, so it was not something we would be able to progress in the near future," that message said.
IN OTHER NEWS
This was also reinforced "verbally" by another redacted source at a Launceston Heritage Committee meeting, Mr Jamieson wrote in the email, addressed to Heritage Tasmania works manager Ian Boersma.
In reply, Mr Boersma directed the request to another Heritage Tasmania employee, with Mr Boersma saying he "would be happy" to meet with the owner if he had concerns he wanted to discuss.
A nomination was later received from a member of the public on November 11. The convict station had previously been entered onto the heritage register seven years ago, at a location further south in Relbia, as part of the Evandale to Launceston Water Scheme.
Responding to questions, City of Launceston general manager Michael Stretton said the council was in regular contact with Heritage Tasmania staff to "seek clarification and information on a range of matters relating to development".
"This relationship is productive and helps the community navigate what can be often be complex and difficult matters to understand," he said, noting the November email sought to understand whether heritage authorities would pursue a listing without a nomination. "It did not seek to influence any decision of Heritage Tasmania."
Once a nomination has been received, heritage authorities undertake a statutory process to assess whether the site should be protected with an entry onto the Tasmanian Heritage Register. Mr Stretton said the council was now awaiting a determination - made independently by the Tasmanian Heritage Council.
The cost of further excavations in February was approximately $16,000, he said. This followed the $10,000 council contribution to the investigations late last year.
"We don't intend to undertake further archaeological works at this time," he said. "The Council will release the report at the conclusion of the statutory process."
A Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokesperson said at that time the site's precise location and features were unknown, though Heritage Tasmania was aware the City of Launceston council had commissioned archaeological investigations.
"The final archaeological report is expected to provide this information," the spokesperson said. "Heritage Tasmania therefore contacted the Launceston City Council to inform them of the nomination and to request the Council's and landowner's permission to access that report when it becomes available."
While you're with us, you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox. Sign up here.
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.
