Tuesday, 26 November 2024

Cultural heritage assessments

Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (19:16): (947) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, and the action I seek is that the minister put in place a framework that ensures transparency and accountability of cultural heritage assessments so they can be conducted in a timely manner with fairness and equity. In the seaside town of Port Fairy an issue has arisen regarding the construction of a footpath along the foreshore on Ocean Drive. As work commenced, the discovery of cultural heritage items brought the works to a standstill in September. While the community understands the necessity of preserving history and culture, the prolonged Allan Labor government assessment process has raised questions about accountability and transparency. Since the works halted, locals have been left in the dark about timelines for resumption. The Department of Premier and Cabinet has indicated that the assessment will take several months, pushing out the likely resolution until after summer. The works encompass a kilometre of beach frontage which is fenced off in an unsightly manner with intermittent breaks to access the beach. The assessment process delays have exacerbated feelings of resentment and confusion due to the lack of government transparency. It undermines reconciliation and respect. Unfortunately the Indigenous community is caught in the crossfire, appearing to be the reason for these hold-ups.

In Portland hang-gliders and paragliders have enjoyed launching off Bishops Rock for decades. They were recently informed that as of 30 November they are banned from the site due to a cultural heritage objection. The Victorian Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association has been seeking information for several months, and locals were only informed of this decision a few weeks ago. Locals tell me that Parks Victoria stated they are not at liberty to disclose the rationale for the ban. The secrecy has left the gliders wondering how they negatively affect cultural heritage and why hikers and surfers can still use the area.

Housing developments in South-West Coast have experienced successive delays due to the Allan Labor government’s cultural heritage assessment process. It needs fixing urgently because we are in a housing crisis. They also damage the reputation of the Indigenous community, which is unjustly blamed for the inefficiencies. The Allan Labor government needs to streamline processes and reduce the timelines of assessments rather than cause local division.

These examples highlight that the current government’s cultural heritage assessments lack transparency and accountability. There are no mandated response times nor cost guidelines, no requirement for explanations of decisions and no appeal avenues. This absence of an overarching framework is detrimental to community cohesion and fosters resentment towards the Indigenous community. In south-west Victoria the Aboriginal community is striving to enhance understanding and respect of their Indigenous culture. However, lengthy footpath closures, paragliding bans and housing development delays threaten to undermine years of progress. Leadership is urgently required from the Allan Labor government to ensure that processes are fair, equitable and transparent before more damage is done. The Indigenous community should not be vilified for the shortcomings of a government’s processes; rather, they should be embraced as vital partners in the pursuit of a more inclusive and respectful society.