Custom, conflict and the construction of heritage: European huts on the Tasmanian Central Plateau

A shift from intangible to tangible heritage marks the Tasmanian Central Plateau's European huts, now recognized as cultural symbols due to community-driven conservation efforts. This transformation occurred post-1980s environmental regulations following the inscription of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, which disrupted traditional land practices. Locals repurposed huts as memorials, leading to a consensus on their heritage status and necessitating conservation management. The study reveals how regulatory changes prompted a cultural shift from communal land ownership through practices to material hut preservation, illustrating the complex interplay between governance, community attachment, and heritage construction.

Collett, D., Knowles, J., & Pocock, C. (2022). Custom, conflict and the construction of heritage: European huts on the Tasmanian Central Plateau. Journal of Community Archaeology & Heritage, 10(1), 3–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/20518196.2022.2080905