Caitlin Jarvis – THE ADVOCATE – 23 November 2013 10.04pm – News

OWNERSHIP of the Tiagarra building has been passed from the Devonport City
Council to the local Aboriginal community after a unanimous vote at the council
meeting last night.
Members of Six Rivers Aboriginal Corporation and students from TAFE
who organised a peaceful walk in support of Tiagarra last week were in
attendance at the council meeting.
The small group applauded when the decision was made by the council.
The report and recommendation to hand over ownership of the building
was made by general manager Paul West after a proposal was made by
SRAC, who were supported in their decision by the Tasmanian Regional
Aboriginal Communities Alliance (TRACA).

Deputy Mayor Annette Rockliff who moved the motion said she hoped the decision
would assist the groups to move forward with their plans for the site.

Deputy Mayor Annette Rockliff who moved the motion said she hoped the decision
would assist the groups to move forward with their plans for the site.
She said the history and relationship between the council and the groups were well
documented but she said the council hoped to help in any way they could if the
motion went through.
Alderman Alison Jarman questioned what would happen if the worst was to happen
and the groups decided to sell the building.
General manager Paul West said it would become part of the lease agreement the
council would have with SRAC that the building always remain with an Aboriginal
group or community so it didn’t fall into the wrong hands.
The council agreed to gift SRAC and TRACA the building to the amount of $1.
The decision will pave the way for the groups to seek funding to help
reopen Tiagarra into the future.