Launceston mayor says council already issued Aboriginal community an apology

As part of the repatriation of the Preminghana petroglyphs, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and Royal Society will make a formal apology to the Aboriginal community on February 15.

The petroglyphs are also stored at QVMAG and the museum is involved in co-ordinating their return, but Cr van Zetten said the council had already been proactive in making an apology.

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"During NAIDOC Week last year, I made a public apology to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community for the times our council has caused hurt in the past," he said.

"As part of that apology, I pledged that we would continue to listen, to learn and try to understand the pain caused by our past practices.

"We are continuing to work through the petroglyph return process with the Aboriginal community in that spirit."

His apology was issued during a flag ceremony at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre on Charles Street in Launceston in November.

It means QVMAG will not be included in the formal apology next week.

The Preminghana petroglyphs are planned to be returned to their original location on the far-North-West Coast in mid-March, transported by truck and potentially lowered into place using a helicopter.

Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania chair Michael Mansell said the apology from TMAG and the Royal Society was an important step in the healing process.