What Jim Bacon wanted for Recherche BayBy HEATHER KIRKPATRICKA recent Tasmanian government decision to allow two private landowners to log up to within 100m of French historical sites on Recherche Bay’s north-east peninsula flies in the face of the wishes of the late Premier, Jim Bacon, according to a letter written by him to the Ambassador of France in August last year. In the letter, written to French Ambassador, Patrick Henault, on August 12, Bacon proposed a partnership between the two countries: “aimed at securing the site for the benefit of the rich French heritage that it holds there and for Tasmanian(s).” His letter states: “The overall site is presently in private ownership and the owners have advised the government that they intend to log the site and then replant it. There is nothing wrong, inappropriate or illegal in taking such action, however, the opportunity exists for the land involved to be purchased by the state and to be reserved and managed in a way that befits its historical significance to both the French nation and to Tasmanians,” Mr Bacon wrote that the sites were already listed in the Tasmanian Heritage Register. “These listings are recognition of the importance of the d’Entrecasteaux Expedition to world science, to the involvement of the French nation and the potential of these places to contribute to a greater understanding of Tasmania’s natural and cultural history,” he wrote. Paul Lennon, who succeeded Jim Bacon as Premier last March, considered Jim “his best mate.” At his swearing in ceremony as Premier, he said he was committed to Bacon’s vision for Tasmania. Earlier this year, Ken Bacon, replaced Jim Bacon as the Minister for Tourism, Parks and Heritage when the former premier was forced to stand down due to his terminal illness. Announcing the decision in October 14, which in effect allows most of the area to be logged, Ken Bacon said he was not aware of any request from his government for French assistance to purchase the land at Recherche Bay. “I’m not aware of it that was done before my time, but I certainly haven’t,’ said Ken Bacon. The recent announcement was made five days after the federal election, despite the whole area being nominated and yet to be assessed by the federal government for the National Heritage Register, under new Commonwealth legislation. The French sites are on private land owned by Tasmanian brothers, David and Robert Vernon. Their 142-hectare property contains a re-discovered French garden planted in April 1792 and a built observatory site, used by scientist Rossel, who discovered the link between the earth’s magnetic field relative to pole proximity, greatly advancing global navigation. On April 20 1792, French explorer Bruni d’Entrecasteaux’s two ships limped into Recherche Bay after an horrific ocean crossing from South Africa. They set up a temporary village in Recherche Bay for four weeks and returned again for three weeks in 1793. Details of friendly interactions with Tasmanian aboriginals and a myriad of scientific excursions were recorded in the journals of d’Entrecasteaux. While making the announcement, Ken Bacon committed his government to protecting the two sites for longevity and has allowed a five-year interim protection for a 100-metre strip along the coast to allow further historic investigation. “I am committed to seeing the important values of this area protected, but I also recognise that private landowners also have rights,” he said. Jim Bacon’s letter concludes: ” I am very interested in exploring ways that we might achieve this objective in partnership and with this in mind was hoping that you could receive Mr Jeff Kelly, who is the Secretary of my Department of Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts and Mr Peter James, the Chairman of the Tasmanian Heritage Council, so that they might provide you with a briefing on the present situation and take your advice on how we might advance this worthwhile project as a partnership.” Mr Kelly, who has since moved interstate, relinquished his position in March this year after Mr Lennon took over the Premier’s role from Jim Bacon. Contacted for a response to this story, Mr Peter James said he had not met with the French Ambassador but said he was aware of French interest in the whole issue. The French ambassador will arrive in Tasmania late this month to discuss the matter further with the government, and was unable to be contacted for interview. Heather Kirkpatrick is a post graduate journalism student at the University of Tasmania.
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