Legislative Council, Thursday 19 March
Ms THOMaS on behalf of Ms FORREST question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY
With regard to the heritage-listed Halls Hut on Halls Island in Lake Malbena, which is currently owned by Mr Daniel Hackett and is on a small parcel of land (the footprint of the hut plus foot access to a rock-shelf landing) that is independent of the commercial lease over the rest of the island:-
The hut was given to Mr Hackett in 2014 (by Reg Hall’s daughter) on the strict understanding that he would preserve the building and allow unconditional access to genuine bushwalkers.
In November 2021 the hut was permanently entered into the Tasmanian Heritage Register (after being found to satisfy seven of nine possible criteria). Since then, Mr Hackett has had a legal obligation to maintain and protect the hut.
I understand no significant work has been done since 2014, and the hut is rapidly deteriorating.
- Will the Minister ensure the Heritage Council instructs the current lease holder to maintain the hut?
ANSWER:
- The Minister responsible for the administration of the Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995 is not able to instruct the Tasmanian Heritage Council regarding what it must do.
- The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) has previously written to the lease holder requesting that action be taken to preserve the condition of the Hut, most recently in August 2025.
- In March 2026, the Tasmanian Heritage Council initiated further enquiries with the proponent including the requirement to produce a condition report.
- Any further actions by the Tasmanian Heritage Council will be determined subsequent to consideration of the supplied report.
- If the current lease holder will not undertake immediate works on the hut, will the Minister rescind the lease so that other (interested parties) may be given the opportunity to assume custodianship?
ANSWER:
If the proponent formally seeks, in writing, to request a further extension to clause 2.2 (b) (i) as prescribed in the Deed of Variation, this will be considered. The lease and Deed of Variation have been publicly available on the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania’s website