New sites discovered at Lake Meadowbank

Through 2023 and 2024, Lake Meadowbank was drawn down between 2 and 6 metres, well below its usual level. This presented a good opportunity to survey the shoreline for Aboriginal sites, including stone artefacts and rock shelters, which are common in the surrounding hills and valleys.

In March 2024, a team of Hydro Tasmania archaeologists, Aboriginal Heritage Officers and field assistants from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre collaborated to undertake an extensive week-long survey.

This section of timtumili minanya (River Derwent) was intensively used by Aboriginal people over many thousands of years and holds many culturally significant sites. One such site, nirmena nala, a rock shelter containing a hand stencil, was returned to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people in 2013 as part of a Hydro Tasmania-initiated land handback.

The recent survey recorded fifty groups of shoreline artefacts, contributing further to the understanding of this culturally important area that was used extensively by Aboriginal people. These 50 groupings have been combined into 24 new Aboriginal Heritage Register listings.

We recognise that fluctuating water levels from our operations can move artefacts from their original positions. We're currently undertaking research (at Lake Mackenzie in the Central Highlands) to better understand how high-water levels move artefacts around lake shores.

We'll look to support further information gathering at Lake Meadowbank in the future.