In a frustrating update in May, State Environment Minister, Steve Dimopoulos, has now flagged the rebuild of the Cape Conran cabins is still awaiting preparation of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan, more than five years after the fires.
Gippsland East Nationals MP,
Tim Bull, said this did not align with the previous commitment to have the cabins completed and in place by 2025.
“This is the fourth completion date we’ve had and now it does
not appear as though it will be met,” he said.
Mr Bull sought an update from the Minister earlier this year who replied on May 7 and stated:
“Following the rediscovery of additional artefacts and impacts to a registered Aboriginal place after preliminary construction on site in 2022, a cultural heritage management plan is currently
being prepared to respect and preserve the cultural heritage significance of the area.”
Mr Bull said it was astounding that if additional artefacts were found in 2022, a plan was still being prepared to address this three years later.
“Our Aboriginal cultural heritage is important, but waiting three years for a plan to be developed to ensure the appropriate protections is ridiculous and shows timeframes to the processes need to be applied.”
Mr Bull said he did not lay the blame at the feet of the Indigenous community, but rather at those in the Department in Melbourne who dithered and were in no rush to have the matters expedited.
“In my discussions locally with both Parks’ staff and our local First Nations’ people, both are incredibly frustrated this has dragged out so long and they want the matter dealt so with the cabins can be put in place.
“The Minister should be embarrassed to provide this response, and it ought to have included a commitment he would intervene and get things moving, but that is what we have come to expect,” he said.
President of the Marlo Ratepayers and Residents Association (MRRA), Shayne Boyd, said the group hadn’t received any further information regarding the cabins, however did receive a letter from Parks Victoria’s Lisa Patroni in March.
Ms Patroni acknowledged the long delays to the Conran projects and in regards to the Conran water infrastructure and the shared pathway between Marlo and Conran part of the project, she said: ‘We’ve now completed the feasibility investigations, preliminary planning and designs for the project, and are escalating our findings through government channels for further input. I will endeavour to provide you with an update on our progress in May 2025.’
“It has certainly been a very long process with poor communication all round,” Ms Boyd said.
