8 February 2013

Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam and Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh today welcomed Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke’s decision on Tarkine Heritage Listing.

Minister Burke’s decision will see a 2km stretch of the Arthur-Pieman area, commonly known as the Tarkine, from Marrawah to the Pieman River added to the National Heritage List.

“This is a great decision that will have many flow on effects in regards to jobs, economic development and wealth diversity,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“We expected more would be listed, but believe Minister Burke has made the right decision in balancing environmental needs with economic development opportunities.”

Mayor Walsh said he was very satisfied with Minister Burke’s decision.

“Having been a third generation local and worked in the area all my life I realise the value of the area and hope to see the coexistence of environment and other activities continue,” Mayor Walsh said.

“It’s a multiple use area, which will now continue to be used as it has done for many generations.”

Mayor Quilliam said the Circular Head Council had invested a lot of time and money into ensuring access to the area would continue.

“Council has put a lot of work into researching the area including publishing the book A Peopled Frontier – The European Heritage of the Tarkine Area by Nic Haygarth and edited by Simon Cubit,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“This work has clearly found that the Tarkine has a long history of multiple uses and that it continues, to quote the book, to be ‘a resilient place which displays its wild beauty after thousands of years of human use’.

“This shows how important this issue is to not only us a region, but as a whole state, and following today’s decision we will continue to work, live, rest and play in this area for years to come.”

Mayor Quilliam said it was important to note Minister Burke’s commitment to retain existing access rights to the area.

“The only effect will be on future developments in the area that has been excised, which will mean further approvals will be required,” he said.

However, both Mayors acknowledged not all groups would be happy with the decision.

“We now urge the vocal minority to accept the umpire’s decision and work with us to see this area to continue to thrive into the future,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“It must be recognised that the decision is the best way forward to ensure the continued growth of our region as whole in the creation of jobs and other opportunities through sustainable economic development.”