The battle continues

The battle continues

In 1981 an Aboriginal cave was found on the banks of the lower Franklin. The cave contained the remains of campfires, stone tools, and animal bones estimated to date back 24 000 years. This discovery made international news. If the Tasmanian State Government went ahead with their plans the cave would be flooded. In an effort to make the public aware, conservationist groups used the media, placing a full-page advertisement in newspapers confirming the significance of the cave, declaring that the Franklin River was ‘part of the world’s cultural heritage’.

Tasmania’s two Houses of Parliament were still locked on the issue of where the dam should be built. In an effort to break this deadlock the State Government proposed a referendum. Voters were asked to select a dam on the Gordon or the Franklin. There wasn’t an option for no dam. This further outraged the protesters. The Tasmanian Wilderness Society and Australian Conservation Foundation ran a strong campaign urging voters to write ‘No Dams’ across their ballots. ‘No Dams’ stickers and pamphlets were produced as part of this campaign.

These were the results for the referendum:

Following this disastrous referendum, the Labor Government fell, elections were held and the Gray Liberal Government came to power. Legislation to dam the Franklin was passed 54 to 3. Workers moved in to begin the demolition.

The information was sourced from The Wilderness Society. To find out more information visit the Wilderness Society site and find the Franklin River Campaign Part 2