A prominent Tasmanian businessman has appeared in a Hobart court on multiple counts of interfering with Aboriginal relics.

The matter was mentioned in the Hobart Magistrate's Court on Friday with Elphinstone Engineering managing director, Graeme Elphinstone, appearing by phone.

The charges relate to a trench dug at a property in Little Swanport in Tasmania's south-east in January, 2023, with Mr Elphinstone charged in June last year in relation to section 14 (1b) of Aboriginal Heritage Act – the protection of relics.

The court heard Mr Elphinstone, who pleaded not guilty to nine counts of interfering with an Aboriginal relic in August 2024, objected to a witness appearing remotely to give evidence.

Kate Moody, a former Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania employee, was sought by the prosecution to give evidence on the case from interstate.

Mr Elphinstone told the court he was unhappy with the suggestion of Ms Moody giving evidence remotely, with Magistrate Marron taking his comment as an objection.

"I think they should be there in person if they are going to give evidence," Mr Elphinstone said, The Mercury reports.

"This whole thing is frustrating the hell out of me."

Magistrate Marron directed the prosecution to make a formal application for Ms Moody to appear remotely.

It is understood an additional key witness in the case is living off-grid, with Magistrate Marron indicating their intention to rely on his report.

It is an offence to destroy, damage, disfigure, conceal, or otherwise interfere with a protected Aboriginal object or relic under Tasmania's Aboriginal Relics Act 1975.

Mr Elphinstone faces a maximum penalty of $9000 fine or 4.5 years jail if found guilty on all nine counts.

The matter was adjourned until 14 March.