Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00437:body:0:p83
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00437
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 245801–248757

4.5.2  Indigenous Heritage Values

   Indigenous people have occupied Canberra and the surrounding region for more than 20,000 years, and the landscape of the central Canberra area and its natural and cultural environment continue to have cultural heritage significance to the Traditional Owners.

   The assessment of Indigenous heritage values has been updated and is based on consultation with Indigenous community representatives, outlined in Section 3.2.11. Detailed analysis of the archaeological potential is provided in Appendix I.

   Before the coming of colonial settlers in the 1820s Aboriginal people occupied the hills and limestone plains of the Molonglo Valley. This broader landscape surrounding the AWM has been identified as of significance to the Aboriginal community. Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie and the area between them are identified as significant women's sites and cultural landscapes, while Mount Ainslie was a traditional ceremonial site from which the Aboriginal community travelled down to the river plains. Aboriginal community representatives indicated during consultation that it is this broader landscape context of the AWM that has Indigenous cultural significance. The location of the AWM on a pathway formerly used by Aboriginal people in their traditional use of the landscape is important, though not in itself a 'traditional value' under criterion (i).

   As discussed in Section 3.2.11, the site of the AWM has been extensively modified and impacted by land use changes. As a result, the assessed potential for remaining in situ Aboriginal archaeology is low. One isolated artefact (AWM 1) has been found in the past, albeit in a disturbed context. The artefact is a tangible reminder of the prior use of this landscape by Aboriginal people; however, as a single entity it would not meet the threshold for having Commonwealth Heritage value. As a result, significant archaeological heritage values have not been identified as part of consultation or the assessment of Indigenous heritage values.

   While the AWM does not currently have listed Indigenous heritage values, under the EPBC Act National or Commonwealth heritage criteria, all heritage values at the site must be considered and protected as part of the environment when taking actions at the AWM. Any Indigenous heritage issues or sensitivities must be managed appropriately as part of the management and conservation of the site.

4.5.3  Values as Part of the Parliament House Vista

   The AWM is included in the CHL citation for the Parliament House Vista. The following quotations from the Summary Statement of Significance for the Parliament House Vista help to draw out the heritage values of the AWM in its broader context.

      Design Importance
      The Parliament House Vista is the central designed landscape of Canberra, that expresses the core of the Walter Burley Griffin design vision for Canberra. It is highly significant for its