Doon Doon identified as Aboriginal cultural landscape

04 February 2019

Consultants recommend artefact collection prior to raising dam wall

Council consultants assessing the potential impacts arising from the proposed raising of Clarrie Hall Dam have identified the Doon Doon catchment as an Aboriginal cultural landscape.

Navin Officer Heritage Consultants has completed an Archaeological Assessment and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment report for the proposed raising of Clarrie Hall Dam, confirming the Doon Doon Creek Valley provides tangible evidence of past occupation of the landscape by the Bundjalung nation.

The consultants, assisted by a number of Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs), found that the proposed raising of the dam wall by 8.5 metres will affect 81 Aboriginal sites and three historical sites. Navin Officer Heritage Consultants has recommended archaeological testing and salvage of artefacts, where required, prior to the start of construction to raise the dam wall.

A public version of the consultant’s report can be found at www.yoursaytweed.com.au/RaisingClarrieHall.

In agreement with the consultants and RAPs, Council has updated its mapping system to reflect the findings of the assessment field surveys conducted in late 2017 and early 2018. More work will be undertaken with members of the local Aboriginal community when the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed raising of the dam is undertaken.

Prior to undertaking the field surveys, nine Aboriginal sites were registered on the Office of Environment and Heritage Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) as being within the Clarrie Hall Dam study area. A further six sites were recorded but not registered as being located in or near (within 25 metres of) the study area.

The surveys were informed by a review of Aboriginal and historic literature and databases and through discussion with the RAPs. The surveys identified 60 more Aboriginal cultural sites, including stone artefact scatters, single stone artefacts, grinding grooves, a rock shelter, a culturally restricted site, a possible scarred tree and a possible chalcedony knapping resource.

They also identified 10 previously unrecorded Potential Archaeological Deposits (PADs), which require further detailed assessment.

The three European historical sites identified included a building platform, Crams Farm complex and Doon Doon Community Hall.

Twenty-eight of the sites will be permanently inundated by the proposed raised Clarrie Hall Dam and the consultants have recommended that surface artefact collection be undertaken prior to construction starting.

The consultants also recommend that archaeological testing of all PADs occur and archaeological salvage, where required, be undertaken prior to construction starting.

Council and its consultants will continue to work closely with the RAPs as this project progresses.