Aboriginal and European Cultural Heritage Assessment for Bass Point Quarry
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Aboriginal and European Cultural Heritage Assessment For Bass Point Quarry Prepared by: Prepared for: RPS Harper Somers O’Sullivan Pty Ltd Hanson Construction Materials 241 Denison Street, 7 Marklea Close Broadmeadow NSW 2292 PO Box 428, HAMILTON NSW 2303 Wyong NSW 2259 T: 612 4961 6500 F: 612 4961 6794 E: [email protected] W: www.rpshso.com.au Job No: 26135 Date: 30 March 2010 RPS Harper Somers O’Sullivan Pty Ltd (ABN 11 093 343 858) Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment for Bass Point Quarry Document Status Review Format Issue Version Purpose of Document Orig Review Approval Date Review Date Draft A Draft for Client Review LN DR 15.10.09 JH 22-10-09 D Rigby 22-10-09 Final Final report LN DR D Rigby 30-03-10 Disclaimers This document is and shall remain the property of RPS Harper Somers O’Sullivan Pty Ltd. The document may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the Terms of Engagement for the commission. Unauthorised copying or use of this document in any form whatsoever is prohibited. 26135, Final Report, 30 March 2010 DOCUMENT STATUS / DISCLAIMER Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment for Bass Point Quarry EXECUTIVE SUMMARY RPS Harper Somers O’Sullivan (RPS HSO) has been commissioned by Insite Planning on behalf of Hanson Construction Materials to undertake an Aboriginal and European Heritage Impact Assessment over an area proposed for an extension of the existing Bass Point Quarry. The Bass Point project is considered a major project under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (EP&A 1979). Bass Point Quarry including the study area is to the south east of the town of Shellharbour and comprises a landward portion of the Bass Point peninsular. The 157 hectares, Lot 22 DP 1010797, includes the existing quarry and the proposed extension areas. Areas of Bass Point have been used as blue metal quarry since the 1850’s with the current operations dating from around the mid twentieth century. The current proposal is for an extension of the quarry life by utilising those areas on the immediate perimeter of the current operations, and by deepening the approved excavation depth. The requirements of the Department of Environment Climate Change and Water (DECCW) Interim Community Consultation Guidelines were adhered to with a representative of Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council participating in the survey. This Assessment which included both Aboriginal and European cultural heritage was preceded by a review of relevant survey reports and documents and a search of the Aboriginal Heritage Information System database for registered sites. Previous survey of the Bass Point area, outside the quarry precinct had recorded a substantial number of shell middens. Excavation and dating at one of these middens had revealed a significant site with evidence of human occupation 17,500 BP. One previously recorded midden site (52-5-0144) on the north-east boundary of the quarry was noted for inspection. A pedestrian and vehicle survey of the study area was undertaken on 7 October 2009. The area was found to be highly disturbed demonstrated by overburden, uneven land surface and invasive weeds. The area indicated as the midden site (52-5-0144) was found to have a quarry road and areas of overburden. It is considered that this site is most likely further east of the quarry in the neighbouring Bass Point Reserve. This is further supported by the midden site being recorded as part of a management strategy for the Bass Point Reserve. No Aboriginal cultural heritage sites were located within the study area. One midden was recorded outside the study area on a south east facing point. This was recorded as per DECCW requirements. One European Cultural Heritage site was noted. This was a remnant dry stone wall in the southern sector of the study area. The wall masked by vegetation at the northern and southern extents would be no more than 100 metres long. A section of the wall had been 26135, Final Report, 30 March 2010 Page i Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment for Bass Point Quarry removed previously during the construction of a vehicle track. The stone capping had been also been removed affecting the structural integrity of the wall. It is recommended that the works may proceed with regard the following: ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE Recommendation 1 Liaison established with the registered Aboriginal stakeholders and other interested parties as per the DECCW Interim Community Consultation Guidelines for Applicants (2004) during this project should be maintained until the report is adopted. The Community Response is at Appendix 6. No Aboriginal cultural heritage sites were located during the survey of the study area however in general during the course of construction work: Recommendation 2 If it is suspected Aboriginal cultural heritage material has been encountered, work should cease immediately. The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) and the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council should be notified. Works should only recommence when an appropriate and approved management strategy has been agreed to by all of the relevant stakeholders. Recommendation 3 In the event that skeletal remains are uncovered whilst operations are underway, work is to stop in the vicinity immediately and the NSW Coroner’s Office and NSW Police contacted. If skeletal remains are deemed to be of Aboriginal origin, a representative of the local Aboriginal Community (ILALC) and the DECCW are to be contacted. EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE One European cultural heritage site, a dry stone wall was located. If the wall is to be adversely affected it is recommended that: Recommendation 4 Before removal the dry stone wall should be recorded. This would include archival standard photography, measurement and spatial location. 26135, Final Report, 30 March 2010 Page ii Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment for Bass Point Quarry TABLE OF CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................... i 1.0 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 1.1 The Study Area ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background ............................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Legislative Context ................................................................................................ 3 1.3.1 The National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974) ............................................. 3 1.3.2 The Heritage Act (1977) ........................................................................... 4 1.3.3 Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A ACT) ............... 4 1.4 Aboriginal Community Consultation ....................................................................... 4 1.5 Scope of Assessment ............................................................................................ 5 1.6 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 5 1.7 Terms and Definitions ............................................................................................ 6 1.8 Authorship .............................................................................................................. 6 1.9 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................ 6 2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT .................................................................. 7 2.1 Geology and Soils .................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Topography and Hydrology ................................................................................... 7 2.3 Climate ................................................................................................................... 7 2.4 Flora and Fauna .................................................................................................... 8 2.5 Condition of the Study Area ................................................................................... 9 2.6 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 9 3.0 ABORIGINAL HISTORY .......................................................................... 10 3.1 The Traditional Owners ....................................................................................... 10 3.1.1 Implements for Gathering Food and Weapons ...................................... 10 3.1.2 Foods and Useful Plants ........................................................................ 11 3.1.3 Campsites and Shelters ......................................................................... 11 26135, Final Report, 30 March 2010 Page iii Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment for Bass Point Quarry 3.1.4 Clothing .................................................................................................. 11 3.2 Aboriginal History after European Contact .......................................................... 11 4.0 EUROPEAN HISTORY ............................................................................ 13 4.1 Bass Point Quarry ................................................................................................ 13 4.2 European Cultural Heritage ................................................................................