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Adopted 11 December 2018

Brimbank Aboriginal

Cultural Heritage

Strategy

2018 - 2023

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This Strategy has been informed by consultation with the Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Compensation

Cultural Heritage Council, Boon Wurrung Foundation/Yaluk-ut Weelam Elders council and the

Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.

The information provided in the Strategy was current at

the time it was completed.

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Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................. 4

2. Purpose of the Strategy ........................................................................... 5

3. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Brimbank ................................................. 6

4. Policy Framework ..................................................................................... 9

5. Identify places, areas and objects of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

Significance ............................................................................................ 16

5.1 Purpose ......................................................................................... 16

5.2 Key Considerations .......................................................................... 16

5.3 Actions .......................................................................................... 17

6. Conservation & Protection of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage ..................... 18

6.1 Purpose ......................................................................................... 18

6.2 Key Considerations .......................................................................... 18

6.3 Actions .......................................................................................... 19

7. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Policy and Procedures ............................... 21

7.1 Purpose ......................................................................................... 21

7.2 Key Considerations .......................................................................... 21

7.3 Actions .......................................................................................... 22

8. Education and Promotion ....................................................................... 23

8.1 Purpose ......................................................................................... 23

8.2 Key Considerations .......................................................................... 23

8.3 Actions .......................................................................................... 24

9. Strategy Review ..................................................................................... 25

10. Action Plan ............................................................................................. 26

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1. Introduction

The term heritage is commonly associated with built heritage and has generally referred

to European or post-contact heritage, where buildings, groups of buildings,

archaeological sites, gardens, landscapes and shipwrecks tell a tale of development since

settlement, a period of over 200 years. However, this heritage does not tell of a history

of this country that dates back tens of thousands of years.

In more recent times, ‘heritage’ has come to encompass natural heritage – areas of

environmental importance and Aboriginal heritage that can include places and

landscapes that are part of a spiritual and physical connection to the land. This is a

fundamental element of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Across Victoria, the land has been shaped by thousands of generations of Aboriginal

people. Each part of the State contains culturally significant places where Aboriginal

people have lived and left their mark, be it through creating trading places and camp

sites, fashioning tools, weapons and traps to obtain food, drawings and artwork, burial

sites and scar trees. Cultural heritage also recognises the significance and importance of

oral traditions and intangible significance where there is no physical evidence of the past

- the passing on of stories, places of spiritual or ceremonial significance, trade and travel

routes, language, customs, values and beliefs and the development of social networks,

that are passed down through one generation to the next.

Following contact with European settlers, new heritage places were created in the form

of missions, protectorate stations and massacre sites. More recent heritage places can

be linked to sites where protests associated with the Aboriginal rights movement

occurred and as time goes by additional places will continue to be discovered.

The cultural heritage places, objects and landscapes associated with Aboriginal people

are a significant part of the heritage of all Australians and are a fundamental part of

Victorian Aboriginal community life and cultural identity.

Aboriginal Tom Dystra

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2. Purpose of the Strategy

The Brimbank Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Strategy 2018 - 2023 (the Strategy) will

guide the conservation and protection of Aboriginal objects, places and landscapes, both

known and unrecorded within Brimbank City Council (Brimbank). Unknown places relate

to the discovery of new sites and/or artefacts found or exposed during a development or

other works.

The Strategy will also encourage and provide guidance for the ongoing education,

promotion, understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal cultural heritage, learnings/lore

and traditions.

The Strategy outlines particular issues related to the identification, protection and

management of Aboriginal cultural heritage within Brimbank and presents policies and

actions required to address these issues.

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3. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Brimbank

Places

Brimbank has a rich physical and cultural Aboriginal heritage. The municipality contains

427 known places of cultural heritage significance that are listed on the Victorian

Aboriginal Heritage Register, managed by Aboriginal Victoria and protected through the

Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. These places, objects and landscapes are representative of

the complex and changing lifestyles of Aboriginal people over thousands of years.

These places have a range of values from cultural, scientific, educational, aesthetic,

spiritual and historical importance.

Land adjacent to waterways throughout the municipality are rich with traditional places

and artefacts, however most of these are not mapped or recognised through the

Brimbank Planning Scheme.

Two of the most significant places of importance to the Aboriginal people in Brimbank

include:

The Maribyrnong River Valley

The Maribyrnong River Valley was of great importance; providing a source of food,

medicine, construction material, drinking water and transport by canoe. Edible plants

grew on the river flats, big game such as kangaroos and emus were found on the

surrounding great basalt plains, smaller animals such as echidna, possum, lizards and

water birds closer to the river, and fish and eels thrived in the river.

The Maribyrnong River Valley featured large outcrops of a hard rock called silcrete,

formed from the weathering basalt impregnating limestone with water, that was

quarried for use in making small, flaked stone implements. Eleven Aboriginal silcrete

quarries have been found along the Maribyrnong River and its tributaries; these are

protected by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, but are not protected by a heritage

overlay.

There are two alternative meanings of the word Maribyrnong, both suggesting food

supplies available in the surrounding landscape. It is thought that Maribyrnong was

derived from an Aboriginal phrase, either Mirring-gnai-birr-nong, meaning ‘I can hear a

ringtail possum’ or Mirring-quai-birnong, the name of an edible yam that grew in the

river valley.

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Kororoit Creek

Kororoit Creek is of high significance to Aboriginal people as it represents Aboriginal

occupation along the Creek and the surrounding area. Scar trees, where canoes were

carved from the bark of the river red gums, are dotted along the Creek and the environs

is well known for the presence of artefact scatters; these gums and artefact scatters are

protected by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 but are not protected by a heritage

overlay.

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https://www.melbournewater.com.au/sites/default/files/2017-10/KYR-Maribyrnong-River.pdf

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The name “Kororoit” is thought to have come from an Aboriginal word meaning “male

kangaroo”.

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People

There are three groups of Aboriginal people who have cultural ties to Brimbank; the

Wurundjeri people (who are the Registered Aboriginal Party for a part of the Brimbank

municipality) and the Boonwurrung/Bunurong people, of which there are two main

language groups the Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) and the Boonwurrung (Bunurong Land

Council and Boon Wurrung Foundation (Yaluk-ut Weelam)). Each group have their own

unique view on their history, culture and role in Aboriginal heritage. Refer to Map 1 –

Brimbank RAP area.

Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council (or its’ successor)

The Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council (Wurundjeri

Council) is comprised of over 80 members of the Wurundjeri community who are the

Traditional Owners of the Melbourne and Greater Melbourne region. The Wurundjeri

Council members are direct descendants of the Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) men and

women who lived in the region for many thousands of years. Their principal ancestor is

Bebejan/Be-be-jern Jerum-Jerum, Ngurangaeta (head man) of the Wurundjeri-willam

clan of the Woiwurrung language group.

The Wurundjeri Council was established by Wurundjeri leaders 25 years ago and in

August 2008 the Wurundjeri Tribe Land Compensation and Cultural Heritage Council was

appointed a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) by the Heritage Council under the

Victorian

The Council’s RAP area is based on the traditional

boundaries of the Wurundjeri people.

Present-day Wurundjeri Country encompasses a substantial and geographically diverse

region that includes both urban and rural areas and significant waterways, sea Country,

parks and reserves. In carrying out its heritage management responsibilities the

Wurundjeri Council works closely with government agencies (including Parks Victoria),

local government, developers and the heritage industry.

Boon Wurrung Foundation /Yaluk-ut Weelam Elders and the Bunurong Land Council (or

its’ successor)

The Boon Wurrung Foundation represents the traditional people and custodians of the

lands from the Werribee River to Wilson Promontory, and are proud members of the

Kulin People.

The history of the Boonwurrung people dates back many thousands of years to a time

when this land that is now called Melbourne extended right out to the ocean. Port Phillip

Bay was then a large flat plain where the Boonwurrung hunted kangaroos and cultivated

yam daisy. The importance of this land and this spiritual place lies within the history and

the culture of the Boonwurrung.

The spirit of Bundjil and his gift of generosity has influenced this land for thousands of

years and continues to do so today. According to tradition, the land has always been

2

http://www.fokc.org.au/history-of-the-kororoit-creek-area/

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protected by the creator Bundjil who travels as an eagle and by Waarn who protects the

waterways and travels as a crow.

Bundjil taught the Boonwurrung to always welcome guests, but he always required that

the Boonwurrung would ask all visitors to make two promises: To obey the laws of

Bundjil and not to harm the children or the land of Bundjil. This commitment was made

through the simple exchange of a small bough, dipped in the water.

The Boonwurrung people continue their tradition as the proud custodians and protectors

of these lands from the Werribee River to Port Phillip Bay to Westernport Bay to Phillip

Island and all the way to Wilsons Promontory.

The Boonwurrung people encourage everyone to nurture and care for this land – with

love and respect, to protect the rivers, the creeks and the waterways as they are the

blood of this land and to observe the wisdom of Bundjil – to care for the children.

The Boon Wurrung Foundation/ Yaluk-ut Weelam Elders is a not for profit organisation

dedicated to the First People of the lands and have been the proud custodians of the land

for centuries.

The Boon Wurrung Foundation, through the work of their Chair and elder, N’arweet

Carolyn, is restoring the language, customs and history of the Boon Wurrung people.

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4. Policy Framework

There are a number of policy documents and legislative frameworks that guide the

identification of areas of Aboriginal cultural heritage and how it should be protected and

managed.

The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Amended 2016)

The

(the Act) was enacted “to provide for the protection of

Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria.”

The objectives of the Act state:

•

to recognise, protect and conserve Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria in ways

that are based on respect for Aboriginal knowledge and cultural and traditional

practices;

•

to recognise Aboriginal people as the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge

holders of Aboriginal cultural heritage;

•

to accord appropriate status to Aboriginal people with traditional or familial links with

Aboriginal cultural heritage in protecting that heritage;

•

to promote the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage as an integral part of

land and natural resource;

•

to promote public awareness and understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage in

Victoria;

•

to establish an Aboriginal cultural heritage register to record Aboriginal cultural;

•

to establish processes for the timely and efficient assessment of activities that have

the potential to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage;

•

to promote the use of agreements that provide for the management and protection

of Aboriginal cultural heritage;

•

to establish mechanisms that enable the resolution of disputes relating to the

protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage;

•

to provide appropriate sanctions and penalties to prevent harm to Aboriginal cultural

heritage.

This Act and the subsequent amendment, introduced a framework to manage and

protect aboriginal heritage including:

•

Definitions of Aboriginal Place and Aboriginal Object

•

Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAP’s)

•

Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council.

Definitions of Aboriginal Place and Aboriginal Object

The Act introduced the concept of Aboriginal Place and Aboriginal Object. Identified

places and objects can be protected through their inclusion on the Victorian Aboriginal

Heritage Register.

The Act defines an Aboriginal Place as an area in Victoria or its coastal waters that is of

cultural heritage significance to the Aboriginal people. A Place might include an area of

land or an expanse of water; land set aside for the permanent reinterment of Aboriginal

human remains, a building or structure, a natural feature, formation or landscape; or an

archaeological site.

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Places may also be sites that post-date European contact. They can relate to

contemporary or historical associations and may or may not contain archaeological

remains, such as the foundations of a mission building, be the site of a massacre, or be

a place of spiritual importance where no physical remains survive.

An Aboriginal Object is an object that relates to the Aboriginal occupation of any part of

Australia (regardless of age), which is of cultural heritage significance to the Aboriginal

people. Objects include any archaeological finds and materials which have been

excavated from Aboriginal Places. Objects do not include items which are manufactured

for sale.

Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAP’s)

The Act established Registered Aboriginal Parties to act as the “primary guardians,

keepers and knowledge holders of Aboriginal cultural heritage.” The RAPs hold decision

making responsibilities for protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage in a specified

geographical area.

For Brimbank, only part of the municipality is covered by an appointed Registered

Aboriginal Party who represents the Woiwurrung language group - the Wurundjeri Land

and Compensation Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Council Corporation.

Map 1 – Brimbank RAP area.

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For that part of the Brimbank not covered by a RAP, there are several groups, who have

claimed traditional and/or familial links.

The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council had not made a decision regarding who the

Traditional Owners are for this area of the Brimbank. Until any decision regarding the

future of the non-RAP area, Council will continue to consult with Aboriginal Victoria and

any other relevant group/s.

Aboriginal Victoria advises where there is no RAP for an area, that a broad approach

should be taken with consultation and that all Aboriginal groups who claim traditional

and/or familial links to that area should be consulted on matters regarding cultural

heritage.

Brimbank City Council will continue to create a fair and inclusive approach to working

with the various organisations claiming traditional and/or familial links to Brimbank.

Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council

The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council (the VAHC) was created to ensure that

Traditional Owners throughout Victoria play a central role in the protection and

management of their heritage.

The VAHC is responsible for determining applicants to be registered as RAPs and the

operations of those RAPs. Once registered a RAP will make decisions on Cultural heritage

permit applications. Where no RAP exists the VAHC will make those decisions on cultural

heritage permit applications.

The VAHC are responsible for Ancestral Remains and protection of burial places, secret

or sacred objects and managing the Victorian Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund to

provide initiatives to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.

The VAHC also promote understanding and awareness of Aboriginal cultural heritage in

Victoria.

Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018

The Aboriginal Heritage Regulations (Regulations) provide the operational guidelines to

implement the requirements of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, and include:

Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMP)

Developments and activities proposed in culturally sensitive areas can potentially cause

harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage. In these instances a Cultural Heritage Management

Plan (CHMP) will be required to ensure land use and development is correctly managed

and mitigation measures applied to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage within the

development area.

The Regulations outline the circumstances when a CHMP is required and what the report

should contain, including an assessment of any potential impact a proposed

activity/development may have on Aboriginal cultural heritage. It can provide measures

to be taken before, during and after an activity/development.

CHMP’s are required if a development is classed as a ‘high impact activity’, these

activities include, but are not limited to the construction of 3 or more dwellings on land

more than 0.11 hectare, extractive industry, walking and bicycle tracks longer than 500

metres.

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Where existing land uses occurred prior to the Aboriginal Heritage Act (28 May 2006),

such as recreation reserves or facilities, upgrades to those facilities do not require

preparation of a CHMP (r. 46 [3]). Land that has been mechanically disturbed is also

exempt from preparation of a CHMP.

Areas of Cultural Heritage Sensitivity

A registered cultural heritage place is an area of cultural heritage sensitivity, as defined

in the Regulations. Part of the land within 50 metres of a registered cultural heritage

place is also included as part of the area of cultural sensitivity, unless there has been

significant ground disturbance within that area.

A waterway and land within 200 metres of a waterway is also an area of cultural heritage

sensitivity. If the land within the 200 metre area has been subject to significant ground

disturbance that area is not considered to be of significance.

Within Brimbank, Aboriginal places have been recorded and registered on the Victorian

Aboriginal Heritage Register (Register), and considered of cultural heritage sensitivity.

The Register is managed by Aboriginal Victoria and places have been identified for their

high cultural, scientific and archaeological significance and Aboriginal heritage values.

Places are mapped on the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Register and Information System

(ACHRIS), a mapping system which is not available to the public. Aboriginal Victoria do

make a map available to the public that shows areas of cultural heritage significance

associated with waterways and areas with a 50 metre buffer area around registered

places.

The Burra Charter

The Australia International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Charter for Places

of Cultural Significance, generally known as the Burra Charter 2013, provides guidance

and principles for the conservation and management of places of cultural significance

(including cultural heritage places). The Charter also sets a standard of practice for those

who provide advice, make decisions about, or undertake works to places of cultural

significance, including owners, managers and custodians

The Charter can be applied to all types of places of cultural significance including natural,

archaeological, Indigenous and historic places and landscapes with cultural values.

Brimbank Planning Scheme

The framework for the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage is included at Clause 15

and Clause 43.01 of the Brimbank Planning Scheme.

•

Clause 15.03-2S Aboriginal cultural heritage

This clause provides the policy basis for the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage

for the state of Victoria, as follows,

Objective

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Strategies

Ensure that permit approvals align with conditions of a Cultural Heritage

Management Plan approved under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

Policy guidelines

•

•

•

•

Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS)

Clause 21.06-1 of the current MSS states,

The MSS focus has been on built heritage, such as buildings, precincts, structures,

post-contact heritage rather than places of intangible and spiritual significance.

The Local Policy section of the planning scheme should be amended to include

specific consideration and policy direction for Aboriginal heritage.

•

Heritage Overlay

Clause 43.01 of the planning scheme is the Heritage Overlay. The purpose of the

overlay is to:

•

•

•

•

, it states,

No other guidance is provided for Aboriginal heritage.

The schedule accompanying this Clause specifies heritage places, sites and objects

that have been identified as having heritage significance within Brimbank. There are

no places of aboriginal cultural heritage significance that are included in this overlay.

•

Council’s Statement of Commitment and Reconciliation Action Plan

In April 2012, Brimbank City Council adopted the Reconciliation Statement of

Commitment which laid the foundation for the first Reconciliation Action Plan (2013 –

2017). Both the Statement of Commitment and the Reconciliation Action Plan have

contributed to the ‘reconciliation journey’, both within Council, as well as with the

Aboriginal community.

In the Draft Reconciliation Action Plan 2019 – 2021, it is proposed that Council commits

to facilitating whole-of-community action towards reconciliation, imbedding reconciliation

across all aspects of Council’s operations. The proposed Action Plan included in the Draft

Reconciliation Action Plan 2019 - 2021 commits Council to continue developing

relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live, work or study in

the municipality, as well as building long-term relationships with Traditional Owner

organisations based on mutual respect and trust.

•

Creating Better Parks Policy & Plan (Updated 2016)

Creating Better Parks Open Space and Playground Policy & Plan (the Plan) provides a

vision and blueprint for transforming the Brimbank park network.

The Plan recognises that well-developed parks contribute to the physical and mental

health of residents, create better connected communities, make a significant

contribution to the character of neighbourhoods and help protect natural

environments and cultural heritage.

The Plan identifies the need to reflect the cultural heritage values of Traditional

Owners spatially in parks and waterway areas. In order to articulate the cultural

landscape values of the Traditional Owners, the following attributes need to be

considered in future open space projects, where appropriate:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Council will continue its ongoing dialogue and engagement with Wurundjeri Traditional

Owner representatives, or other groups claiming traditional and/or familial links to

Brimbank, to ensure that interpretive spatial outcomes are supported by Aboriginal

people with cultural connections to this municipality.

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5. Identify places, areas and objects of Aboriginal

Cultural Heritage Significance

5.1 Purpose

Identify Aboriginal places and objects of significance within Brimbank to ensure their

conservation and protection.

Ensure that relevant Aboriginal heritage places and objects are correctly identified and

mapped so that Aboriginal heritage can be taken into account at an early stage in all

land-use planning development assessments and the re-zoning of land within Brimbank.

5.2 Key Considerations

Brimbank has a rich Aboriginal cultural heritage, with both Aboriginal cultural and

archaeological places recorded within the municipality and included in the Victorian

Aboriginal Heritage Register. Examples of these include Organ Pipes National Park,

Brimbank Park and Horseshoe Bend Park and sites along the Maribyrnong River and

Kororoit Creek.

These places characterise the complex and changing lifeways of Aboriginal people

through many hundreds/thousands of years. They represent a wide range of heritage

values including scientific and cultural significance, educational, aesthetic and historical

importance within Brimbank.

While these places and landscapes are recorded by Aboriginal Victoria and protected

under the Aboriginal Heritage Act, the mapping and location of these places is not

publically available and they are not mapped in any Council mapping system or provided

statutory protection through inclusion in the Heritage Overlay in the Brimbank Planning

Scheme.

Having places and objects of Aboriginal heritage significance correctly mapped on

Council’s Geographic Information System (GIS), (even if only used by Council staff) will

ensure that heritage values and issues associated with each place will be identified early

in the planning and building process.

If the places are included in the Heritage Overlay, statutory protection will be provided

to ensure minimal disturbance or damage to places and objects of Aboriginal heritage

significance.

However, not all the places included in the Aboriginal Heritage Register may need to be

identified and mapped. For example, the places where minor surface scatters have been

identified or in areas of high ground disturbance may not warrant inclusion in a mapping

layer as the heritage value of the place may have been compromised.

It is important that Council works with Aboriginal Victoria, the RAP and Traditional

Owners to determine the criteria for inclusion of new places that could be protected by

the Heritage Overlay. In identifying these places, a rigorous assessment of the types,

size and range of places, the condition of the places and the intactness of the

landscape(s) in which they occur will be assessed. This work will need to be undertaken

by heritage experts in the field of Aboriginal heritage.

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There are some places that are of such spiritual and sensitive significance that

Traditional Owners do not wish them mapped or be publically identified. Where

development that includes ground disturbance, on or near these places is proposed,

Council will ensure a referral to Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victoria for advice and

direction.

There may be other areas of potential Aboriginal significance within Brimbank that have

not been investigated, particularly if the place is located in proximity to a waterway. For

example, many of Brimbank’s existing industrial areas have been developed adjacent to

waterways. If development that includes ground disturbance is proposed within these

areas, some preliminary survey or investigation works should be required to ensure

potential Aboriginal heritage artefacts or objects are not present or to determine if there

appears to be some scatters or objects on site.

5.3 Actions

1. Create a mapping layer for Aboriginal heritage places, landscapes and

objects to be shown on Council’s Geographical Information System.

2. For the mapping of new places of Aboriginal heritage significance:

•

Liaise with Aboriginal Victoria, the RAP and Traditional Owners (as

required) to determine the correct locations of places and objects of

Aboriginal heritage significance.

4. Work with the RAP, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victoria (as required)

to provide direction and advice to Council, developers and landowners where

places of spiritual significance are not publically mapped.

5. Require new staff to undertake training for the ACHRIS mapping system

subject to the approval of Aboriginal Victoria.

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6. Conservation & Protection of Aboriginal Cultural

Heritage

6.1 Purpose

To provide statutory protection of Aboriginal heritage places, landscapes and objects,

identified by the RAP, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victoria, in the Heritage Overlay

of the Brimbank Planning Scheme.

To prepare guidelines on the appropriate conservation of Aboriginal heritage assets,

when Cultural Heritage Management Plans are required and what they entail.

To liaise with Traditional Owners on the appropriate management of areas of

significance.

6.2 Key Considerations

Having places and objects of Aboriginal heritage significance correctly identified and

mapped is important and any future work requires engagement with the RAP, Traditional

Owners and Aboriginal Victoria to determine those places that could be protected by the

Heritage Overlay.

The inclusion of these places and objects in the Heritage Overlay (the Overlay) of the

Brimbank Planning Scheme provides statutory protection and would also include the

location of the places on the Brimbank planning scheme maps.

This approach acknowledges Aboriginal heritage and ensures a greater understanding of

this heritage.

Under the requirements of the Heritage Overlay, a planning permit is required to:

•

•

o

o

•

•

Clause 43.01-7 of the Overlay relates specifically to Aboriginal heritage places and

requires:

The Overlay itself focuses primarily on post-contact heritage and provides little guidance

on how to protect and conserve Aboriginal heritage, and it will be important to establish

the requirements of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 in relation to heritage protection.

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The inclusion of places, landscapes and objects of Aboriginal heritage significance in the

Overlay will fill a number of ‘gaps’ in how Aboriginal heritage has been addressed in

Brimbank in the past. Similarly, any changes to the significance or status of an object or

place of heritage significance should be recorded to allow the Heritage Overlay and/or

Aboriginal Heritage Register to be updated.

There are a number of additional processes that can be developed to further ensure the

protection of these heritage assets. This includes guidelines to assist future owners and

developers on the appropriate process for the conservation, protection and management

of Aboriginal heritage places and objects. Guidelines will also assist in improving the

understanding of Aboriginal heritage and ensure that future development respects this

heritage. This approach would replicate the use of heritage guidelines currently operating

for heritage precincts that are included in the Heritage Overlay of the Brimbank Planning

Scheme.

Where development is proposed on identified places and landscapes of Aboriginal

significance in Council ownership, Management plans or Cultural Heritage Management

Plans may be required to ensure both Council and external contractors are aware of the

significance of the place . Plans could also identify areas of the place that must not be

disturbed, areas of the place that can be developed and to identify a process which must

be followed if further artefacts are found etc. These plans would be developed in

consultation with Traditional Owners and/or the RAP and Aboriginal Victoria. These plans

could also be included in the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay as Incorporated

Documents, and also be provided to the relevant Council departments to ensure that the

areas are managed and developed appropriately.

The location of significant places and landscapes of Aboriginal significance do not always

fall neatly into municipal boundaries. Liaison and co-ordination of policy and

management with adjoining councils and other authorities may promote a regional

approach to heritage protection.

Although there has been a considerable level of research undertaken into Aboriginal

prehistory and culture in the Brimbank region, there are considerable gaps in the

archaeological data. For example, there is as yet no real timeframe for human

occupation of the region. The geomorphological context of Pleistocene Aboriginal cultural

material is poorly understood and there is a poor understanding of past Aboriginal use

and settlement on the volcanic plains.

Research is an essential component of Aboriginal cultural heritage management, as more

detailed and accurate information on the extent, contents and values of a place can

then inform ongoing management decisions.

6.3 Actions

1. Assess all relevant places, landscapes and objects of Aboriginal heritage

significance for inclusion in the Heritage Overlay (as a staged process), and

undertake an amendment to the Brimbank Planning Scheme.

2. Ensure changes to the significance or values of any place or object of

heritage significance is recorded and the Heritage Overlay and Aboriginal

Cultural Heritage Register updated.

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3. Prepare heritage guidelines for developers and land owners in consultation

with the RAP, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victoria (as required), to

provide appropriate guidance on matters including:

•

the conservation, protection and management of Aboriginal Heritage

•

impacts to and mitigation of development on Aboriginal heritage assets

•

determining when survey work of a place is required and how it

should be undertaken.

4. Where required, prepare Management Plans or Cultural Heritage

Management Plans for each area of significance owned and/or managed by

Council. These should be developed in consultation with the RAP, Traditional

Owners and Aboriginal Victoria (as required). The Plans can also be included

in the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay as Incorporated Documents.

5. Monitor funding and grant opportunities to support the identification of

places of potential Aboriginal heritage significance including:

•

Gap heritage studies

•

Archaeological information.

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7. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Policy and Procedures

7.1 Purpose

To ensure Council policy for Aboriginal heritage is reviewed and updated.

To provide guidance on policy and procedures to the community and developers for the

identification and protection of places and objects of Aboriginal heritage significance.

To provide requirements for development and works within areas of Aboriginal heritage

significance to ensure the area or objects are protected from harm or damage.

To provide guidance for acknowledgement and engagement with Traditional Owners and

Aboriginal Victoria.

7.2 Key Considerations

While there is overarching State-wide policy direction for the protection of Aboriginal

cultural heritage, the planning scheme provides limited guidance or direction at the local

level for the identification, conservation and management of Aboriginal heritage.

The current Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) focusses primarily on post contact

heritage and the story it tells of the development of Brimbank.

Objective 1 of Clause 21.06 of the MSS states:

The strategy to achieve this objective is to:

aboriginal

The remaining policy direction within this section of the MSS deals with alterations to

heritage buildings and places and how new development should address existing

heritage buildings and features. No differentiation between Aboriginal heritage and post

contact heritage is provided. There is no guidance provided for Aboriginal heritage in

relation to significant landscapes, objects and intangible heritage and how new

development should respond and protect this heritage.

The Local Planning Policy Framework in the Brimbank Planning Scheme can be amended

to introduce specific policy direction in relation to Aboriginal heritage including what it

encompasses and strategies for how it can be protected.

Guidelines can also be developed to assist landowners, developers and maintenance

contractors on the correct procedure to undertake if potential artefacts are discovered

during earthworks or development.

If potential new places or objects are discovered during preliminary development,

construction or earthworks in areas of cultural heritage sensitivity (CHS), like areas close

to waterways, guidance on reporting disturbance and/or discovered artefacts should be

provided to ensure the risk of damage to any artefacts is minimised.

Such a process would require a Cultural Heritage Management Plan that includes referral

to the RAP and Traditional Owners and their potential registration and mapping.

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Similarly, where works include ground disturbance, including landscaping and

revegetation, in areas of known Aboriginal heritage significance, a checklist and/or

procedural manual can be developed to ensure the works do not damage or harm the

heritage site, place or object.

Each of these procedures should be developed in consultation with the RAP and other

traditional owner organisations claiming traditional and/or familial links to Brimbank.

When conducting meetings or community consultation, Council officers are sometimes

unsure whether to or how to acknowledge Traditional Owners. Council has the Brimbank

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Protocols Framework and Traditional Owner

Frequently Asked Questions guide that assists with:

•

how to acknowledge Traditional Owners at meetings, events and other formalities,

•

information about Registered Aboriginal Parties and other Traditional Owners

claiming traditional and/or familial links to Brimbank

•

significant dates for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Aboriginal Victoria also has available on their website, advice on Welcome to Country

and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and a map identifying RAP areas.

Council currently has a Memorandum of Understanding with Wurundjeri that specifies in

part how consultation will occur, on what matters and when permit applications for

works, disturbance should occur. A clear consultation process has been established and if

required, this process allows joint management agreements and information sharing.

Council can also develop formal communication procedures with other organisations

claiming traditional and/or familial links to Brimbank and Aboriginal Victoria to ensure all

groups are correctly engaged and/or referred to when seeking advice on Aboriginal

heritage matters.

7.3 Actions

1. Introduce objectives and strategies within the Brimbank Planning Scheme to

specifically address Aboriginal heritage protection and conservation.

2. Develop guidelines and procedures, with the assistance of the RAP,

Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victoria (as required) that provide

guidance for landowners and developers on a correct procedure to identify,

report and protect potential artefacts discovered during development.

3. Develop guidelines and procedures for staff and external contractors, when

undertaking works within areas of Aboriginal heritage, to ensure their

protection from damage or harm.

4. Develop protocols for:

•

Acknowledging Traditional Owners at meetings and events

•

Engaging with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victoria when seeking

advice and referrals on matters of Aboriginal heritage.

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8. Education and Promotion

8.1 Purpose

To increase awareness of Aboriginal cultural heritage and promote Aboriginal culture and

history in Brimbank.

Provide opportunities for educational programmes about Aboriginal cultural heritage in

Council libraries and public spaces.

Encourage the development of an Aboriginal Interpretation Centre within Brimbank.

8.2 Key Considerations

The understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage and the management of places is

limited within the municipality. There is an opportunity to inform and educate the wider

Brimbank community about Aboriginal heritage and the many positive values of that

heritage.

There is currently limited educational and interpretive material information on Aboriginal

culture in display centres throughout the Brimbank municipality. Some information is

presented at the Brimbank Park visitor centre. Parks Victoria has previously received a

proposal for a visitor centre focusing on Aboriginal heritage and archaeology in the Keilor

Archaeological Area at Horseshoe Bend Park (a Parks Victoria asset) in Keilor.

There is a need to better understand and evaluate the materials and resources that

Council has with regard to Aboriginal heritage and where it is located, what it is used for

and how it is catalogued.

Increasing awareness of Aboriginal places and reaffirming the traditional links with the

land within Brimbank could be improved in a range of ways, including considering the

renaming of places back to reflect their original Aboriginal place name. Work of this

nature would need to be done in conjunction with the RAP, Traditional Owners and the

approval of the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation of Languages.

Further review of education materials and information on Aboriginal cultural heritage is

required to ensure accuracy and consistency of information presented to the community.

This includes displays of Aboriginal heritage in Council centres to ensure they are co

ordinated and complement one another and involve consultation with the Aboriginal

community.

Further promotion can include informing the community about this Strategy, and

improved notification and promotion of Aboriginal cultural events i.e. local history

societies, local school groups and settlement service providers.

There are a number of active heritage societies within Brimbank that have an interest

and knowledge on Aboriginal heritage. Council could facilitate meetings with these

groups, RAP and other Traditional Owner organisations claiming traditional and/or

familial links to Brimbank to exchange information and extend knowledge. The Brimbank

Heritage Advisory Committee is an additional resource to disseminate information about

Aboriginal heritage, and includes a member of the Aboriginal community.

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Council has a designated officer whose responsibility is to communicate, provide

information and consult with the RAP and Aboriginal communities, particularly in relation

to Aboriginal cultural heritage. Council officers can also improve their knowledge of

Aboriginal heritage by undertaking cultural heritage awareness training.

8.3 Actions

1. Continue to implement the Creating Better Parks Policy & Plan 2016, which

seeks to increase the recognition of Aboriginal Cultural heritage values in a

spatial form within our parks and open space areas.

2. Conduct an audit of display materials and information and develop a catalogue

that can be used for future displays and educational purposes, and ensure

these materials are appropriate and housed in a safe and secure location.

3. Develop an annual calendar of events for Aboriginal activities and promote

through the Council website, other heritage and community groups and

encourage community and staff participation.

4. Provide Aboriginal Cultural Heritage training for staff of Brimbank City Council

on a bi-annual basis.

5. Monitor funding and/or grant opportunities for conservation, further

assessments, education and promotion of Aboriginal heritage.

6. Investigate the renaming of places and places of Aboriginal significance from

their European name to their original Aboriginal name, in consultation with the

RAP and approval of the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation of Languages.

7. Develop educational material about Aboriginal heritage within Brimbank and

the wider region to make available to the community in consultation the RAP,

Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victoria (as required).

8. Work with local historical societies and ensure website material is regularly

updated to extend information and interest in Aboriginal heritage and develop

improved links with these groups, the RAP and Traditional Owners.

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9. Strategy Review

To respond to changes in legislation and Government policy, new information about

Aboriginal heritage and the addition of new places, objects and landscapes into the

Register of Aboriginal heritage, the Brimbank Aboriginal Heritage Strategy should be

reviewed every 5 years.

The review should:

•

Audit the operation of the Strategy and assess the implementation of the Actions;

•

Evaluate and revise content, priorities and policy;

•

Respond to changes in legislation and policy frameworks;

•

Consider new place records and additional places of Aboriginal heritage

significance;

•

Consider the views of relevant Aboriginal communities and the RAP, and

•

Review resourcing requirement.

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10. Action Plan

All actions will be subject to resources being made available through Council’s annual

capital works and operational budget process.

The timeline for actions includes:

Short – to be completed within 2 years

Medium - to be completed within 2 - 4 years

Long – to be completed within 5 years

Some actions occur on an ongoing basis through the life of the Strategy. Where

appropriate Council will implement actions in consultation with the RAP, Traditional

Owners and Aboriginal Victoria.

Actions

Responsibility Timeline Performance

indicators

Identify

1 Liaise with Aboriginal Victoria,

Wurundjeri, Bunurong and

Boon Wurrung Traditional

Owner organisations (as

required) to identify all places

of Aboriginal heritage.

City Strategy Short

Completed list

of places,

landscapes and

objects

2 Map all places, landscapes &

objects of Aboriginal heritage

on Council’s mapping

programme.

Asset and

Property

Services /City

Strategy

Medium

Mapping layer

completed and

functional

3 Arrange annual training of

ACHRIS mapping system with

the approval of Aboriginal

Victoria (for new staff).

City Strategy Ongoing

Attendance

Conserving

4 Pursue an amendment to the

Heritage Overlay to the

Brimbank Planning Scheme to

include all places, landscapes

and objects of Aboriginal

heritage significance, in

consultation with Aboriginal

Victoria, the RAP and/or

Traditional Owner to ensure

their support.

City Strategy Long

Planning

Scheme

Amendment

completed

5 Develop heritage guidelines to

provide guidance on

appropriate conservation,

protection of places,

landscapes and objects of

Aboriginal heritage

significance.

City Strategy Short

Guidelines

completed and

available to the

public

6 Prepare Heritage Management

Plans or Cultural Heritage

Management Plans for each

area of Aboriginal heritage

significance owned by

Brimbank City Council, as

required.

Asset and

Property

Services

/Major Projects

Ongoing

Management

Plans

completed

7 Monitor funding opportunities

for:

City Strategy Ongoing

Heritage

studies

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•

The identification of places

of potential Aboriginal

heritage significance to

support further heritage

studies

•

Archaeological

investigations.

completed

8 Prepare a business case to

inform a budget decision to

extend heritage advisory

services to including Aboriginal

Cultural Heritage.

City Strategy /

City Planning

Short

Completed

business case

Policy

9 Pursue an amendment to the

Brimbank Planning Scheme to

provide policy guidance for

Aboriginal heritage protection

and conservation.

City Strategy Short

Planning

Scheme

Amendment

completed

10 Prepare guidelines that will

provide guidance for

landowners and developers on

a correct procedure to identify,

report and protect potential

artefacts discovered during

development.

City Strategy Short

Guidelines

completed

11 Develop and promote

guidelines for staff and

external contractors, when

undertaking works within areas

of Aboriginal heritage, to

ensure their protection from

damage or harm.

Asset and

Property

Services / City

Strategy

Short

Guidelines

completed

12 Develop protocols for:

•

Acknowledging

Traditional Owners at

meetings and events

•

Engaging with

Traditional Owners and

Aboriginal Victoria when

seeking advice and

referrals on matters of

Aboriginal heritages.

Community

Planning and

Advocacy

Short

Protocols

completed

Education and Promotion

13 Undertake an audit of

materials and objects of

Aboriginal heritage and

information owned by Council.

Develop a catalogue of

education material that can be

used for future displays,

Council website content,

promotion and educational

purposes.

Community

Planning and

Advocacy /

City Strategy

Short

Audit

completed

14 Prepare an annual calendar of

events for Aboriginal activities

and promote participation

through the Council’s website

and heritage and other

community groups.

Community

Planning and

Advocacy

Ongoing

Annual

calendar of

events

prepared

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15 Arrange Aboriginal Cultural

Heritage training as required

(new staff).

Community

Planning and

Advocacy

Ongoing

Training

programme

implemented

16 Monitor funding/grant

opportunities for education and

promotion of Aboriginal

heritage

Community

Planning and

Advocacy

Ongoing

Successful

grant/funding

applications

17 Develop educational material

about Aboriginal heritage for

areas within Brimbank and the

wider region

Community

Planning and

Advocacy

Short

Educational

material

developed for

use

18 Promote Aboriginal Heritage by

including information on

Council’s website including

working with local historical

societies

Community

Planning and

Advocacy

Ongoing

Hits on Council

website

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