Lutruwita Yarns

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.

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.

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.

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