Archaeologists decry dam

Press, 9 February 1983, Page 27

Archaeologists decry dam

rA Dunedin An international group of archaeologists says the construction of a dam on the Franklin River in southwestern Tasmania would be a “major act of vandalism” and “a blot on Australia’s international' reputation in conservation affairs.” The Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association, made up of scientists from 32 countries, has sent a telegram to the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, urging him to call a halt to the dam, which will destroy rare archaeological sites. The 50 delegates from the association who met in Dunedin during the pacific Science Congress voted unanimously to make the Australian Federal Government aware of their views, said its president, Professor Jack Golson.

The telegram, signed by Professor Golson, of the Australian National University in Canberra, read: “The association considers that the archaeologicial sites on the Franklin River’ in

south-west Tasmania, documenting as they do man’s most southerly occupation ol the globe during the last Ice Age, comparable to the most famous palaeolithic sites of the Northern Hemisphere, constitute a record of world importance. “This has been internationally recognised by the recent inclusion of the region in the World H'erjtage List. “We call upon the Australian (Federal) Government to fulfil its international obligations to preserve this area for all people for all time. Destruction of these sites by the proposed hydro-electric scheme would in our opinion constitute a major act ol official vandalism and a blot on Australia’s international reputation in conservation affairs.” Professor Golson said copies of the resolution had also been sent to the former Australian Opposition leader, Mr Hayden, the Democratic leader Mr Chipp, the Tasmanian premier, Mr Gray, and the Tasmanian Opposition leader, Mr Wreidt.