Minute Manager 2 - Shellharbour Council€¦ · Manager Assets & Projects - Graham Standen to provide a presentation regarding 'Reflecting Aboriginal Culture in the City Hub Development

SHELLHARBOUR CITY COUNCIL Aboriginal Advisory Committee Meeting - Tuesday 05 May 2015 BP Page 1

This is page of the Minutes of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee Meeting of the Council of the City of Shellharbour held Tuesday 05 May 2015

AGENDA 1. Apologies / Leave of Absence .........................................................................2

2. Confirmation of Minutes...................................................................................2

Aboriginal Advisory Committee Meeting 3 March 2015. ................................................................2

Presentation - Reflecting Aboriginal Culture in the City Hub Development......................................................................................................2

3. Staff Reports......................................................................................................2

3.1 NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference 2015 (10441118) ....................2

3.2 Welcome to Country Protocol (10441013) ....................................................................13

3.3 Shell Deposit Uncovered at Keith Fletcher Park, Warilla (10440597) ............................33

3.4 Warilla Library Aboriginal Advisory Group.......................................................................36

3.5 Repatriation Process - Letter to Office of Environment & Heritage.................................36

4. General Business............................................................................................36

4.1 NAIDOC Week .................................................................................................................36

4.1.1 2015 NAIDOC & Reconciliation Events (10441178) ........................................................36

4.2 Employment......................................................................................................................58

4.3 Bass Point Interpretive Centre..........................................................................................58

5. Items for Information ......................................................................................58

6. Next Meeting....................................................................................................58



Acknowledgement to Country Shellharbour City Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Land on which we are meeting and pays its respects to Elders past and present.

1. Apologies / Leave of Absence

2. Confirmation of Minutes

Aboriginal Advisory Committee Meeting 3 March 2015.

Presentation - Reflecting Aboriginal Culture in the City Hub Development

Manager Assets & Projects - Graham Standen to provide a presentation regarding 'Reflecting Aboriginal Culture in the City Hub Development'.

3. Staff Reports

3.1 NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference 2015 (10441118)

This year, the NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference (NSW LGAN) will be hosted by Port Macquarie Hastings Council at the Glasshouse, Port Macquarie. The conference will be held from Wednesday 5 August to Friday 7 August 2015 inclusive. The theme for the NSW LGAN Conference for 2015 is 'Bringing Us Together Strong on Birpai Country'. The program for the NSW LGAN Conference has not been finalised as yet however please find attached the program cover sheet, draft program and call for papers for presenters. The next meeting of the AAC will not be held until Tuesday 28 July 2015. Therefore to ensure Council takes advantage of the early bird registration, it is recommended the AAC select who they would like to attend the 2015 NSW LGAN Conference in Port Macquarie at this meeting. Recommendation That the AAC select 2 representatives to attend the 2015 NSW LGAN Conference in Port Macquarie in August. Responsible Manager: Nicole Elliott – Manager Community & Cultural Life Author: Veronica Bird – Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer



Date of Meeting: 5 May 2015 Attachments 1. NSW LGAN Conference Program Cover Page 2. NSW LGAN 2015 Call for Papers 3. NSW LGAN 2015 Draft Program


Attachment 1 – NSW LGAN Conference Program Cover Page



Attachment 2 – NSW LGAN 2015 Call for Papers











Attachment 3 – NSW LGAN 2015 Draft Program








3.2 Welcome to Country Protocol (10441013) At the last meeting of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee (AAC) held on Tuesday 3 March 2015, Council's Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (ACLO) recommended the development or update of Shellharbour City Council's current 'Welcome to Country' protocol. Please find attached Council's 'Welcome to Country' protocol that is currently used as a guide. A Welcome to Country is conducted at the following Shellharbour City Council events: Citizenship ceremonies Australia Day event Carols by Candlelight event Reconciliation and NAIDOC event Close the Gap event; and Any other major event according to Council's protocol and colour coded guide. An Acknowledgement is also currently conducted prior to all Shellharbour City Council meetings and Aboriginal Advisory Committee meetings and any other event according to Council's protocol and colour coded guide. Shellharbour City Council's protocol however does not include an fee schedule or a list of recommended Elders who could perform a 'Welcome to Country'. Currently, representatives are recommended by the ACLO; a process that has been working well over the past eight years. To assist with the development of the Welcome to Country protocol, Council's ACLO made a request through the Local Government NSW Aboriginal Liaison Officer seeking examples of other Local Government Welcome to Country protocols to use as a guide in updating Shellharbour City Council's Welcome to Country protocol. Please find attached examples received from various Local Governments in NSW for review. Responsible Manager: Nicole Elliott – Manager Community & Cultural Life Author: Veronica Bird – Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer Date of Meeting: 5 May 2015 Attachments 1. SCC Welcome/Acknowledgement of Country & Elders Protocol. 2. Power Point Presentation – Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country

Protocol. 3. Draft Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country. 4. Queanbeyan City Council Aboriginal Cultural Protocols.


Attachment 1 - SCC Welcome/Acknowledgement of Country & Elders Protocol (2 pages)





Attachment 2 - Power Point Presentation – Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country Protocol













Attachment 3 – Draft Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country

















Attachment 4 – Queanbeyan City Council Aboriginal Cultural Protocols








3.3 Shell Deposit Uncovered at Keith Fletcher Park, Warilla (10440597) On Tuesday 10 March 2015, an email was sent to members of Council's Aboriginal Advisory Committee (AAC) advising them of the discovery of shells during excavation to conduct geotechnical investigation for the proposed new Warilla Library site. The proposed site is located at Keith Fletcher Park on the corner of Woolworths Avenue and Commerce Drive, Warilla. The geotechnical contractors engaged to conduct the work immediately stopped work once the shells were discovered and contacted Shellharbour City Council Officers including Council's Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (ACLO) who advised them to contact the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH). An OEH Officer from the Wollongong office then attended the site and took photographs and a sample of the shell. OEH recommended the following actions occur: An archaeologist be engaged to conduct a preliminary assessment to determine the

origin of the shell;

The pit be filled in for safety reasons and to protect the site. There was also an urgent meeting called by Shellharbour City Council Officers to discuss the way forward regarding the discovery of the shell. At this meeting, the following recommendations were made: No further work continue on the site;

Council engage an archaeologist to conduct a preliminary archaeological assessment to determine the origin of the shell which will also determine whether an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) process needs to be undertaken;

A local Aboriginal person also is engaged to accompany the archaeologist on site. As a result, Austral Archaeology have been engaged to conduct the preliminary assessment and a draft Preliminary Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Report preliminary report (please see attached). This report has been finalised with the following recommendations made based on their findings. Austral Archaeology Pty Ltd (Austral Archaeology) has been commissioned by Shellharbour City Council (the proponent) to undertake a Level 1 Assessment – Preliminary Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Investigation following the identification of shell deposit during geotechnical testing in advance of construction for the proposed Warilla Library. The study area consists of Lot 16 and part of Lot 18, DP 717959, on the corner of Woolworths Avenue and Commerce Drive, Warilla, New South Wales. The study area is located within the Shellharbour Local Government Area (LGA), approximately 82 kilometres south of Sydney (Figure 1.1). The property is bound to the north and east by the Keith Fletcher Park, on the west by Woolworths Avenue and on the south by Commerce Drive (Figure 1.2, Figure 1.3 and Figure 1.4).



In order to best meet the Proponent's requirements and statutory obligations with regards to Aboriginal cultural heritage, this assessment has been undertaken according to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Development Assessment Tool (Gondwana Consulting Pty Ltd 2013) [the ACHDM Tool], and the Due Diligence Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects in New South Wales (DECCW 2010) [the Due Diligence CoP] which provides a suitable framework for undertaking an appropriate investigation of potential for Aboriginal cultural heritage to be present. A search of the OEH's AHIMS database regarding the property returned a result of no sites within the study area, although both shell middens and burial sites are recorded within a 1 kilometre radius of the study area. Many aspects of the site provide contradictory evidence as whether the study area contains a potential Aboriginal shell midden. It should be noted that no bone, charcoal or artefactual material was present in the sample. However, this is attributed to both the small sample size and the method of collection rather than suggesting that any such material is not associated with the shell material. Furthermore, the lack of stratigraphic information for the shell deposit hampers any possible conclusions. On the balance of evidence available, it is considered more than likely that the study area may contain a potential shell midden deposit, which would define the site as containing a PAD. Therefore, a conservative approach will be required, and no further subsurface work can occur without applying for an AHIP from the OEH. It is recommended that: 1. Archaeological test excavations be undertaken in order to recover shell material

from a secure archaeological context and to document the site formation process stratigraphically. A geomorphologist should be engaged to assist with the archaeological excavation process.

2. An application is made for an AHIP from the OEH. While test excavations are normally conducted under the Code of Practice for Archaeological Investigation of Aboriginal Objects in New South Wales and do not require a permit, any work within 50 meters of a potential midden site requires an AHIP prior to any test excavations commencing.

3. As an AHIP application is required, consultation must be undertaken with the wider Aboriginal community to meet the OEH's Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents 2010.

In accordance with the above recommendations Shellharbour City Council have endorsed the above recommendations and requested a full investigation in accordance with the OEH Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents 2010.



Recommendation: The Aboriginal Advisory Committee (AAC) supports the steps taken by Council which included: 1. Stop work orders when the shell deposit was discovered and contacting OEH,

Wollongong Office.

2. The engagement of an archaeologist to conduct a Level 1 Preliminary Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Investigation to determine the origin of the shell deposit.

3. Adopting the recommendations made by Austral Archaeology to undertake an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) process in accordance with OEH Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents 2010.

Responsible Manager: Nicole Elliott - Manager Community & Cultural Life Author: Veronica Bird - Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer Date of Meeting: 5 May 2015 Attachments 1. Warilla Library Preliminary Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Investigation (Under Separate Cover)



3.4 Warilla Library Aboriginal Advisory Group Verbal report - Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer

3.5 Repatriation Process - Letter to Office of Environment & Heritage Verbal report - Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer

4. General Business

4.1 NAIDOC Week

4.1.1 2015 NAIDOC & Reconciliation Events (10441178) 2015 Regional Local Government Award Dinner The Regional Local Government NAIDOC Awards Dinner preparation is well under way and is proudly hosted by Shoalhaven City Council this year. This report is to provide you an update on the organisation of the dinner and an opportunity for you to provide input on any of the aspects of the dinner. The NAIDOC Theme for 2015 is 'We all Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate'. Please find attached the following final documents: 2015 Corporate Sponsorship Package Regional Local Government NAIDOC Awards Nomination Forms Shoalhaven City Council has also submitted for NAIDOC funding through Aboriginal Affairs NSW for $3,000 and the Indigenous Advancement Strategy – NAIDOC Grant Funding for $6,000. Shellharbour City Council NAIDOC Event The 2015 Shellharbour City Council NAIDOC Event will be held at the Barrack Heights Community Garden on Monday 6 July 2015. Preparation for the event has commenced and will once again will feature cultural activities, entertainment and stall holders. The community garden proved to be a great venue for engaging with local residents and the broader community.



Reconciliation School Flag Walk Preparations for the 2015 Shellharbour City Council Reconciliation School Flag Walk have also commenced. To date we have received confirmation from 27 Schools which is the highest number achieved since the inception of the Reconciliation Walk. The walk will be held on Wednesday 3 June 2015 which is the anniversary date of the historical High Court Mabo decision. The official ceremony will include a guest speaker, Geoffrey Maher, the winner of the Male Youth Category at the 204 Regional Local Government NAIDOC Awards Dinner, performance by the Illawarra Flame Trees and didgeridoo playing by Steven Henry and a flag exchange between local Elders, community members and civic leaders. A BBQ lunch will be provided and cultural activities from Koorimurri will include Aboriginal song and dance and Aboriginal artwork workshops where each student will get to paint their own boomerang. An exhibition featuring artwork from local Artist, Steven Henry as well as educational material about the Mabo decision will also be held from Wednesday 3 May to Saturday 8 May 2015 at the Shellharbour Village Exhibition Space. It was also proposed and endorsed at the last meeting of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee held on Tuesday 16 December 2014 to include the Illawarra 200 Exhibition relating to the first lands grants and settlement 200 years ago in the Illawarra. The AAC strongly supported that the Illawarra 200 exhibition reflect and acknowledge the occupation of Aboriginal people and their rich Aboriginal culture prior to non-Aboriginal settlement and their continued cultural connection to the region today. The Illawarra 200 exhibition will also be on display in the Shellharbour Village Exhibition Space during the week. Recommendation: The AAC Committee receives and notes the 2015 NAIDOC and Reconciliation events report. Responsible Manager: Nicole Elliott – Manager Community & Cultural Life Author: Veronica Bird – Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer Date of Meeting: 5 May 2015 Attachments 1. NAIDOC Awards Nomination Form 2. Sponsorship Package 2015 NAIDOC Awards 3. Reconciliation Poster


Attachment 1 – NAIDOC Awards Nomination Form





























Attachment 2 – Sponsorship Package 2015 NAIDOC Awards











Attachment 3 – Reconciliation Poster




4.2 Employment Nil

4.3 Bass Point Interpretive Centre Bass Point Interpretive Centre Advisory Committee Update.

5. Items for Information

6. Next Meeting

28 July 2015

Documents

Minute Manager 2 - Shellharbour Council€¦ · Manager Assets & Projects - Graham Standen to provide a presentation regarding 'Reflecting Aboriginal Culture in the City Hub Development