Hydro Tasmania yarns in Lutruwita

We've created a new space to yarn with us, and share stories, opportunities and events that might be of interest to Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

We will update this page frequently and send interesting stories straight to your inbox. We look forward to co-evolving this space with you so that it reflects and celebrates the diversity of all Tasmanian Aboriginal people. We are keen to hear your thoughts.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this site may contain images and voices of, or information about, deceased persons.


Who is Hydro Tasmania?

Learn more about what we're doing to make a commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that translates into real action.


How do I make my voice heard?

Meet with us - send an email through to Aboriginalengagement@hydro.com.au

Invite us to your event - send an email through to Aboriginalengagement@hydro.com.au

Drop us a call or email.

Complete the online survey

We acknowledge the use of palawa kani on this page, the language of Tasmanian Aborigines

We've created a new space to yarn with us, and share stories, opportunities and events that might be of interest to Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

We will update this page frequently and send interesting stories straight to your inbox. We look forward to co-evolving this space with you so that it reflects and celebrates the diversity of all Tasmanian Aboriginal people. We are keen to hear your thoughts.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this site may contain images and voices of, or information about, deceased persons.


Who is Hydro Tasmania?

Learn more about what we're doing to make a commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that translates into real action.


How do I make my voice heard?

Meet with us - send an email through to Aboriginalengagement@hydro.com.au

Invite us to your event - send an email through to Aboriginalengagement@hydro.com.au

Drop us a call or email.

Complete the online survey

We acknowledge the use of palawa kani on this page, the language of Tasmanian Aborigines

  • An old construction site revived

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    Have you heard we're entering a new construction era at Tarraleah? 30 odd years on from the last time we built something big, we're updating channels and pipes that send water down to Tarraleah Power Station so it can operate to meet the needs of a 2024 Tasmania, not a 1940s one.

    We recently completed a heritage survey of a small area at Butlers Gorge, in readiness to stockpile rock that's been excavated from a new intake tunnel being dug at Lake King William - check out this recent reel we posted on @hydrotasmania insta to see some aerial shots of the site.

    While the area has been heavily modified (it was a works depot back during the construction of Clark Dam and Butlers Gorge Power Station in the 1940s), Aboriginal stone artefacts were recently found (and relocated under Permit) in a nearby gully, so we wanted to a complete a survey to be extra sure. No Aboriginal artefacts were discovered, but many depot remnants were uncovered.

    We've also recently completed some broader surveys with two young Palawa men at another area of the project site - we'll bring you that story soon, including how you can get involved in one of our future surveys. If you'd like more info on what's happening at Tarraleah, check out https://connect.hydro.com.au/reimagining-tarraleah.

  • NTFA Aboriginal Round 2024

    We're proud to support the 'Little Long Walk' and the Northern Tasmanian Football Association's Aboriginal Round.

    Take a listen to Graeme Gardner explain how the game is fostering diversity and unity.

  • New sites discovered at Lake Meadowbank

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    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.

  • From 'Coast to Country' with Bianca Templar

    Watch Bianca's story (make sure you stay for both parts!!) and hear the creative journey she took to create the incredible "Coast to Country" artwork that now takes pride of place in the foyer of our office in Nipaluna / Hobart.

    We'll have more art commission opportunities coming up so please keep an eye on our


  • Walking transmission lines between Fisher and Rowallan

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    Between Rowallan and Fisher power stations in the upper reaches of the Mersey River, we manage a transmission line that runs through Sustainable Timber Tasmania land. The line follows a glacial valley formed below the northern tip of the Central Plateau which contains several small marshes and glacial till deposits. Surveys in the 80s and 90s revealed a number of small artefact sites.

    We recently completed some routine surveys ahead of upgrading tracks used to access the transmission line and discovered 6 new artefacts, including one that had unfortunately sustained damage. This discovery led to a review of our project planning and risk management processes, resulting in improvements, particularly around internal communication.

    The transmission line corridor has been in use for over 50 years, with vehicles regularly using the tracks to maintain both the power line and surrounding vegetation. The discovered artefacts are believed to come from the adjacent road banks (washed down in the rain) and on advice from the Aboriginal Heritage Officer, we will apply for a permit to relocate these artefacts away from the track to prevent further damage. If you would like to provide feedback on this permit application, please get in touch.

  • Aboriginal site rehabilitation at Lake Mackenzie

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    The land around present-day Lake Mackenzie, high on the Central Plateau, is known to be rich in Aboriginal heritage sites. In 2012, a low-water survey revealed 24 heritage sites. Most of the stone artefacts from these sites had been washed out and dispersed from the shoreline, however, one site contained in-situ cultural deposits.

    Laser scanning and drone monitoring of this site highlighted it that it was actively eroding due to a combination of waves, frost and water seepage, resulting in artefacts being dispersed.

    A post-glacial sand bank at Lake Mackenzie that contains stone artefacts thought to be in their undisturbed location. This site is being rehabilitated to prevent further erosion. In consultation with Tasmanian Aboriginal people, a project has been co-developed to stop further erosion and rehabilitate the site.

    In early 2025, Pakana Services will start work on a 100 metre long tea-tree wall that will protect the sand bank from wave energy and assist dune drainage. Stakes for the wall were collected in May 2024 and sharpened. They've been drying out and hardening at our Gowrie Park workshop. During construction, additional tea-tree brush filler material with leaves and seed pods will be collected and used to complete the wall. This method has been successfully used at coastal sites around Tasmania and forms part of the site's restoration plan, developed in collaboration with Wild Ecology and the consulting Aboriginal Heritage Officer. The tea-tree resource being used in the project has been obtained through with cooperation of Sustainable Timber Tasmania and TasNetworks.

    Caleb Pedder (Aboriginal Heritage Officer) selecting tea-trees for the new protective wall.
    Sharpened tea-tree stakes prepared by contractor Pakana Services. Once dried, they will be used in a new wall to protect a heritage site at Lake Mackenzie.

    Once the wall is constructed, stone artefacts that are dispersed below the sand bank will be collected under permit and returned to the site. This activity will be led by the Aboriginal Heritage Officer and involve Tasmanian Aboriginal people - if you're interested in participating, please get in contact with Greg.

    At the same time, ‘simulated’ artefacts made from porcelain containing microchips will be laid out below the rehabilitated site and monitored to better understand the effect of changing lake levels on artefact dispersal.

  • Bradys Lake survey reveals new information

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    Bradys Lake in Tasmania's Central Plateau was created in the 1950s with the construction of Bradys Dam. In creating this new hydro storage, a large expanse of marsh was inundated. This site would have been an important hunting ground for Aboriginal people and the intersection point for three major roads through Big River Country.

    In the next 2 - 4 years, Bradys Dam needs upgrading and this work will mean the water level is lowered and areas around the dam will be disturbed and potentially altered. In preparation, an Aboriginal Heritage Survey was completed in early 2024 while the lake was drawn down.

    Bradys Lake drawn down to normal minimum operating level (NMOL), revealing what used to be marshland


    A mature stand of gum-top stringy barks behind Bradys Dam


    A small artefact scatter was discovered on a ridge on the south side of the valley, along with a mature stand of gum-top stringy bark trees that the Aboriginal Heritage Officer called out as being part of the traditional cultural landscape. Five artefact sites were also recorded on the main ridge line leading towards the original marsh.

    These sites will be protected during works, with some subject to a permit to re-inundate once works are completed and lake levels can be raised.