Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley has made a declaration under section 9 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act (ATSIHPA), which will prevent Bathurst Regional Council from commencing construction of a Go Kart Track at Mt Panorama/Wahluu as currently scheduled on Monday (March 8).
Section 9 of the Act empowers the Minister to make an emergency declaration for 30 days preventing the injury or desecration of an Indigenous site.
“The section 9 declaration will prevent work taking place,” Minister Ley said.
“Having now received reports from the Department, including those submissions received recently from Traditional Owners, l would like to meet with the parties involved.
“I will travel to Bathurst next Friday before reviewing the issues further to determine whether a declaration with longer effect should be made under section 10 of the Act.”
