21-05-2025
Tasmanian government releases 4WD track management plan, as Aboriginal groups flag legal fight
A decade-long fight over four-wheel-driving in areas of Tasmania's north-west rich in Aboriginal cultural sites may not be over, despite the government releasing a new management strategy.
The day after the strategy was released, members of the Aboriginal community spoke out in opposition and called for more consultation.
In the run up to the 2014 election the Liberals — who have been in government since that election — promised to reopen three off-road tracks in the Arthur Pieman Conservation Area (APCA).
The tracks had been closed by the previous government amid concerns for several cultural sites, which included middens and burial grounds.
The closures prompted protests at Smithton and fierce statewide debate before a Federal Court ruling in 2016 found in favour of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre that the area had an "outstanding heritage value to the nation".
Five years later, in 2021, an Aboriginal heritage report found cultural sites could not be adequately preserved if the tracks were reopened, and the government backed down.
The government then embarked on the development of the West Coast Off-Road Vehicle Strategy, which Parks Minister Nick Duigan now says will help sustainably manage existing four-wheel-drive tracks in the area "while ensuring natural and cultural values are respected and protected".
Mr Duigan said the strategy would be rolled out over the next three years, and featured plans to upgrade tracks and mitigate damage to cultural and environmental values, improve camping facilities, directional signage and interpretive information.
The Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) website breaks down the plan over the next three years, beginning with work on the Balfour and Sandy Cape tracks and facilities and including Aboriginal heritage assessment in the area.
In the second year the PWS plans to expand the work to the wider West Coast and collaborate with Tasmanian Aboriginal people to identify and protect heritage sites near existing tracks.
In the third year the plan is to introduce a driver pass system to the wider west coast, improve information services, develop marketing material and support tourism experiences.
Mr Duigan said investments would be made in capital infrastructure to allow the PWS to implement the strategy over the coming years.
The strategy follows a draft version, which was published in May 2024 ahead of a two-month public comment period, which received more than 180 submissions.
In a statement for the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania and Cape Barren Aboriginal Association, spokesperson Michael Mansell said the strategy had its priorities "back to front".
"Instead of focusing on protecting Aboriginal heritage, the report emphasises improving access to 4WD," Mr Mansell said.
"The focus of government action should be protection of Aboriginal cultural context on the west coast and access proposals should only be considered in that context."
Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre chief executive, Heather Sculthorpe, said her organisation had not been involved in the development of the strategy.
She said she was concerned the government may attempt to reopen the closed tracks, but the strategy report says it "does not contemplate opening new tracks or reopening previously closed tracks".
Submissions were made during the draft strategy's public comment period by other Tasmanian Aboriginal groups, including by Rochelle Godwin from the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC).
In her submission, Ms Godwin said CHAC failed "to see actionable or tangible outcomes" throughout the draft strategy to ensure the views of Tasmanian Aboriginal people were represented in the strategy.
She said there was no detail in the draft about how protection of Aboriginal heritage would be achieved.
"CHAC believe that protection can be achieved through mutual respect and education of cultural values," Ms Godwin said.
"For this to have effect, it needs to be reiterated and encouraged at many points along the coastline."
Her call for education was echoed by Lyndon Kettle, president of the Devonport 4WD Club.
Mr Kettle said he supported ongoing access to off-road tracks in the region but also believes the Aboriginal cultural history in the area must be protected, and that visitors should be better educated.
He supported a suggestion by Ms Godwin that anyone seeking a permit to access the area be required to watch a short film about Aboriginal history and culture in the APCA and wider west coast.
He said he had come across rock carvings and other historic sites in the area that should be protected and signposted to educate others.
Ms Sculthorpe said the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre would be willing to continue the fight.
"We'll be looking at all our options, that's for sure," she said.
Mr Mansell said the groups were willing to take the matter to court again, just as they did after the 2014 election.
Mr Duigan said consultation with stakeholders, including Tasmanian Aboriginal people, would continue during the implementation of the strategy.
