Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01306:reg:8:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01306
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 8 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 33141–36103

8     Theden-Ringl, 2016, ibid.

  A 2013 review of ethnographic, linguistic and historical sources relating to traditional Aboriginal associations to Country for the broader ACT region, concluded that,

   the Canberra area before European settlement would have had highly complex systems of associations with the land found elsewhere in Australia but that those systems broke down early in the colonial historical piece. It is clear that
   the combined effects of massive demographic stress, alienation from country, forced adjustments and necessary engagements with European settlers led to an early breakdown of original relationships to land and landed identity.9

  2.2     ANU Campus Heritage Study

  In 2012 a heritage study of the ANU campus consulted the Representative Aboriginal Organisations (RAOs)
  on the cultural significance of the campus and wider areas along the Molonglo River corridor (Lake Burley Griffin), Sullivans Creek corridor and Black Mountain. Although the NFSA boundary is outside the ANU campus area it is immediately adjacent
  and intimately connected with the natural and Aboriginal cultural landscape.10

  The following observations about the ANU campus and surrounding area were made by the individual representatives from the ACT's
  RAOs and included in the heritage study. Most observations were made independently between the groups, indicating a generally held common understanding of the place. Some observations have been paraphrased and abbreviated due to the sensitive nature of the material provided
  by some of the representatives.
  The meanings and values associated with the material have not been changed. Parts of the ANU campus with cultural significance include:

    1. The biodiversity corridor along Sullivans Creek and into Acton Ridge is important. It reflects the fact that Sullivans Creek was an important water course and resource zone that will have contributed to the attractiveness of the place as a meeting area. The conservation of this zone is considered important.
    2. The whole of the campus is significant due to the high usage of the area by Aboriginal people prior to the arrival of Europeans. It was part of a well-used zone for meetings and trading and was located in close proximity to important ceremonial areas, including the corroboree site near the entrance to the Botanic Gardens. The intensity of use of the area is attested to by the historical observations about the number of campfires along Sullivans Creek.
    3. Despite its recent modification, Sullivans Creek itself is identified as a feature that embodies the significance of the campus as a meeting place as well as a resource-rich zone. The conservation of this feature is important. The rehabilitation of the northern section of this waterway for natural water filtering is also considered to be an important proposal.
    4. Acton Ridge is part of a track that connected a series of important landmarks: