Other councils urged to pitch in on Tiagarra
Advocate, CAITLIN HEATHCOTE, p.5 – 24 Oct 2014

FORMER Tiagarra Aboriginal Culture Centre and Museum leaseholder Six Rivers Aboriginal Corporation has called on all levels of government, including other councils, to pitch in and provide funding for a “regionally significant” tourism venture after it was stripped of its lease by the Devonport City Council.
SRAC lost its lease to operate Tiagarra following the council’s decision on Monday night.
The council decided to terminate Six Rivers’ lease of Tiagarra ahead of the official review next year after citing the company “had failed in its role” to operate the centre as a viable tourism venture.
SRAC president Paul Docking said Tiagarra should remain in Tasmanian Aboriginal hands, as it was important for it as a tourism venture going forward, but it could be up to a larger corporation group of stakeholders.
“When people come to Tiagarra they want to talk to the local people and hear their stories,” Mr Docking said.
“Tiagarra is a regional asset; we were quite happy to hand over the lease to a larger group.”
He said despite losing the lease, SRAC was hopeful of remaining involved with the centre and had worked on a revitalisation plan already.
“We do have another plan; we have the funds locked up but it’s up to the community if they want this,” he said.
Mr Docking declined to divulge any information on that plan for the centre, saying it was “up to the community to know first” before he went public.
The council has started a report and consultation process that will engage all stakeholders and other interested parties in developing a new restructure process and management structure.
SRAC has indicated it would be interested in remaining involved with that process.
Tiagarra will be closed indefinitely until that restructure is complete, but it’s unknown when that will be.
Caption: CLOSED: The embattled Tiagarra Aboriginal Culture Centre and Museum in Devonport. Picture: Jason Hollister.