Aboriginal group angrily tees off against proposed golf course

A COMMUNITY group has ripped into a golf course development in southern Tasmania and accused the State Government of dismissing Aboriginal culture for “white recreation”.

A COMMUNITY group has ripped into a golf course development in southern Tasmania and accused the State Government of dismissing Aboriginal culture for “white people’s privilege”.

The developers of the proposed 116ha Arm End recreational reserve and golf course on Tuesday revealed a plan to put a 6.8km pipe under the River Derwent and pump recycled water from Blackmans Bay to the South Arm Peninsula.

The $3.5 million pipe will connect Class B recycled water from TasWater’s Blackmans Bay treatment plant across the river to irrigate South Arm farms and properties – and the Arm End recreation reserve.

MORE: DERWENT PIPE PUSH MAKES A SPLASH

But Aboriginal Heritage Council chairman Rodney Dillon said the golf course would harm Aboriginal heritage and the cultural landscape.

“White people’s privilege is again overriding Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage,” he said.

Aboriginal Heritage Council chairman Rodney Dillon says Aboriginal culture is being dismissed for “white recreation”. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Arm End project manager Craig Ferguson said the group was committed to protecting and preserving identified Aboriginal sites.

“We would also like to work with the Aboriginal community to celebrate the site’s cultural heritage and landscape,” he said.

“We also have a permit to manage the known Aboriginal heritage sites.”

Mr Dillon said he had no issue with the pipeline being built, but has criticised the State Government’s lack of commitment to the council.

“The council took Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jacqui Petrusma to Arm End to explain the importance of the cultural landscape and its heritage values,” he said.

“It is disappointing that the current minister did not recognise or value our culture against the fleeting enjoyment of white recreation.”

Arm End project manager Craig Ferguson said all identified Aboriginal sites would be protected. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Ms Petrusma said the Government respected the independent and statutory role of the Aboriginal Heritage Council.

“The application for these permits has gone through due process, and all stakeholder input and feedback was taken into account in assessing the application,” she said.

Tasmanian Conservation Trust director Peter McGlone believes the developer should wholly fund the pipeline and not receive government help.

Mr Ferguson said it had the funds for the pipeline, but “we think on social, environmental and economic levels the shared use water scheme, and the benefits and opportunity it provides, is worthy of support”.