Page 1084 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
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(2) Was the option given to the Heritage Council by local Representative Aboriginal Organisations to develop guidelines for relocating any artefacts that were discovered; if so, why was this was not taken up or explored further.
(3) What training do Heritage Council members receive in relation to indigenous heritage matters and cultural awareness.
(4) Can the Minister provide examples of other heritage decisions that have overruled advice provided by Representative Aboriginal Organisations in the last five years; if so, can the Minister provide detail on the final outcome as a result of this decision to help set expectations for the community of Hall regarding the likelihood of seeing the bike track project delivered.
Mr Gentleman: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) As required under the Heritage Act 2004, the Heritage Council consults with Representative Aboriginal Organisations (RAOs) on decisions affecting Aboriginal places and objects. The Heritage Council consulted directly with RAOs as part of its consideration of the recreational bike track in Hall, and available RAOs advised of their preference for the bike track to be located beyond the ‘Aboriginal Sites Zone’ to avoid cultural heritage impacts. The Heritage Council’s decision reflects its consultation with RAOs and their views.
(2) Conservation of Aboriginal places and objects is one of the functions of the Heritage Council. Enabling Aboriginal places and objects to remain in-situ is considered best practice heritage conservation management. As the proposed bike track could be constructed elsewhere the unnecessary permanent destruction of Aboriginal heritage was not supported. This is a good heritage conservation outcome.
(3) The composition of the Heritage Council includes a representative of the Aboriginal community and expert members in the disciplines of Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal history and archaeology; who are experienced in Aboriginal heritage management.
(4) As abovementioned, the Heritage Council consults with RAOs on decisions affecting Aboriginal places and objects and its decisions reflect this consultation. A revised proposal for a bike track within Hall has not been submitted to the Heritage Council or the ACT planning and land authority therefore I am unable to comment on an anticipated project completion date.
Municipal services—Hall bike track
(Question No 2287)
Mr Milligan asked the Minister for City Services, upon notice, on 15 February 2019:
(1) What progress has been made to reach a final decision, in conjunction with the ACT Heritage Council, on the location of the proposed recreational bike track in Hall.
(2) What other sites have been considered for this project.
(3) What advice has been provided regarding issues such as parking, road access and other facilities such as toilets and drinking fountains for alternative sites being considered for this project.
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