ANGER is growing over the destruction of a popular volcanic geological feature at Byaduk near Hamilton.
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Among those expressing concern are the Australian Geological Society and the Heywood-based Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
Australian Geological Society Victorian geological heritage subcommittee convenor Dr Susan White said the crushing of the 36,000 year old lava flow, which was on private land, was “extremely frustrating and very short-sighted.”
The lava flow had a tourist viewpoint with interpretive signs on the Hamilton-Port Fairy Road and was part of the Kanawinka Geopark.
Work to crush the lava rocks in the area is believed to have started last year.
Southern Grampians Shire has said a planning permit was required for the work but it had not received one. A shire spokeswoman said its policy was not to comment about whether the council was taking action for breaches of planning rules.
She said most of the area was listed as culturally sensitive and under the protection of Aboriginal Victoria.
Dr White said she was concerned there was virtually no protection for geological heritage in Victoria.
“There are protections for cultural heritage and flora and fauna but virtually none for geological heritage,” she said.
Gunditj Mirring acting chief executive officer Denis Rose said the destruction of the lava flow was “disgraceful because it was an important geological site.”
Mr Rose said he was not aware of any Aboriginal cultural sites on the lava flow but there were some nearby.
A spokeswoman for Aboriginal Victoria said it issued a Stop Order under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 on July 8 that stopped work.
She said there were two registered Aboriginal Places (mounds) in the area and an inspection would be done by Aboriginal Victoria officers in coming weeks to determine if they had been affected by the rock crushing.
ANGER is growing over the destruction of a popular volcanic geological feature at Byaduk near Hamilton.
Among those expressing concern are the Australian Geological Society and the Heywood-based Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
Australian Geological Society Victorian geological heritage subcommittee convenor Dr Susan White said the crushing of the 36,000 year old lava flow, which was on private land, was “extremely frustrating and very short-sighted.”
The lava flow had a tourist viewpoint with interpretive signs on the Hamilton-Port Fairy Road and was part of the Kanawinka Geopark.
Work to crush the lava rocks in the area is believed to have started last year.
Southern Grampians Shire has said a planning permit was required for the work but it had not received one. A shire spokeswoman said its policy was not to comment about whether the council was taking action for breaches of planning rules.
She said most of the area was listed as culturally sensitive and under the protection of Aboriginal Victoria.
Dr White said she was concerned there was virtually no protection for geological heritage in Victoria.
“There are protections for cultural heritage and flora and fauna but virtually none for geological heritage,” she said.
Gunditj Mirring acting chief executive officer Denis Rose said the destruction of the lava flow was “disgraceful because it was an important geological site.”
Mr Rose said he was not aware of any Aboriginal cultural sites on the lava flow but there were some nearby.
A spokeswoman for Aboriginal Victoria said it issued a Stop Order under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 on July 8 that stopped work.
She said there were two registered Aboriginal Places (mounds) in the area and an inspection would be done by Aboriginal Victoria officers in coming weeks to determine if they had been affected by the rock crushing.