Dear Minister,

I write on behalf of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, the community organisation representing the Palawa people across lutruwita/Tasmania, to urge you not to approve—or to decline to make—an EPBC Act decision on the proposed Robbins Island Renewable Energy Park until the Aboriginal heritage of the site, known to us as Pilitika, is properly and thoroughly assessed.

Pilitika is one of the most culturally significant landscapes in Tasmania. It was a centre of life for North West clans—used for ceremony, birth, sustenance, travel and trade. It connects us to key ancestors such as Tunnerminnerwait and William Lanney, and bears deep scars from invasion, including the Cape Grim massacre. The island contains burial grounds, village sites, and the graves of our ancestors. Yet, Aboriginal people are denied access to it due to its freehold status, and now face the insult of seeing this sacred place desecrated by heavy construction.

The developer’s own archaeological report confirms that the “survey” conducted was a superficial walkover of less than 100km of narrow transects, covering only a fraction of the land. Despite this, 24 new Aboriginal heritage sites were identified—including seal hide sites, artefact scatters, middens and a potential rock shelter—indicating that a full, methodical survey would reveal much more. As one independent archaeologist commented:

“The problem with these standard ‘ground surveys’ is that they’re geared to give a ‘yes to development’ answer. Important places like Pilitika need a bespoke methodology with Aboriginal perspectives central. Anything less is meaningless. It’s like a doctor trying to diagnose a brain tumour by examining fingernail clippings.”

The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) recognised the inadequacy of the heritage assessment. The proponent responded by committing to further survey work. However, when contacted to follow through, they reneged—offering only a briefing instead of proper consultation or re-survey. Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania has also refused to intervene unless further cultural heritage is discovered during digging—a stance that clearly puts our heritage at risk rather than protecting it.

This reactive and superficial approach to heritage is unacceptable. Building 300-metre wind towers and pouring concrete into our old village sites and burial grounds not only desecrates the physical landscape but damages the cultural and spiritual memory of our people. As one of our Elders put it:

“Memory that links the past, present, and future nurtures the very soul of collective memory. Destroying that connection destroys our identity, our cohesion, and our wellbeing.”

We urge you to declare Pilitika a nationally significant Indigenous place for its historic and outstanding national heritage values. In the alternative, any approval under the EPBC Act must be subject to a comprehensive heritage assessment in genuine partnership with the Aboriginal community.

To proceed without this would be a gross injustice to the descendants of those who lived, thrived, and died on Pilitika. There is no excuse for approving a project of this scale and impact when the cultural values of the area have not even been properly investigated.

Yours sincerely,

Nala Mansell
Campaign Manager
Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
198 Elizabeth Street, Nipaluna/Hobart
nala.m@tacinc.com.au