|
Item 9.1 - Attachment 1 |
Minutes Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Advisory Committee meeting 22 February 2011 |
MINUTES OF THE ABORIGINAL
AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN GROUND FLOOR
MEETING ROOMS 1 AND 2, COUNCIL CHAMBER, PARRAMATTA ON TUESDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2011
AT 6:21PM.
______________________________________________________________
Bruce
Gale in the Chair, Donna-Lee Astill, Phillip Bradley (retired 8.14pm), Doug
Desjardines, Marcia Donovan, Lyn Leerson,
IN ATTENDANCE
Tracy
Appel (Department of Planning, Heritage Branch – retired 7.12pm), Grant Davies
(Minute Clerk), Tanya Koeneman (Department of Planning, Heritage Branch –
retired 7.12pm) and
1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF TRADITIONAL OWNERS THE DHARUG PEOPLE
2 WELCOME AND
INTRODUCTIONS
The
Committee welcomed Tracy Appel and
Tanya Koeneman from the Department of Planning, Heritage Branch.
3 APOLOGIES
An apology was received and
accepted for the absence of Bruce Astill, Shalini Kumari, Annie Nielsen, Anne
and Greg Stonham and Doug Wilson.
4 CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
There were no conflicts of interest at this meeting.
5 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
A copy of the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting held on 23 November 2010 had
previously been forwarded to each member.
RECOMMENDATION (Russo/Leerson)
That the
minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting
held on 23 November 2010 be taken as a true record of the meeting with the
following alterations:-
(i) In
Item 6, it be noted that the flags printed on the conference bags were approved
by the “LGAN” Executive.
(ii) In
Item 6, the word “leadership” be altered to read “communication”.
6 FEEDBACK – LISTING OF THE SAND
PLATFORM ON THE STATE HERITAGE REGISTER – TRACEY APPEL AND TANYA KOENEMAN FROM
THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, HERITAGE BRANCH
Tanya
Koeneman acknowledged that the land on which the Committee was meeting is Barramatugal
and paid respect to Elders past and present.
Further to the Department’s
Visit in October, Tanya advised that the purpose of tonight’s visit was to provide
advice on the results of the recently held auger testing and to talk about the reasons
for the proposed State Heritage Listing of the Sand Platform.
Tanya added that
consultation had been held with the Dharug and Deerubbin Land Councils, the
Council’s Heritage Advisory Committee and the Heritage Council’s Aboriginal
Advisory Panel.
The reasons for pursuing the
listing of the Sand Platform include:-
· Aboriginal
experience including both loss and destruction and also the discovery of
artefacts;
· Protection
and conservation. The area is unique, provides much archaeological information
and provides information on the Aboriginal lifestyle for the past 30,000 years.
It was noted that 6,500 artefacts were obtained from the Meriton’s site at the
corner of George and Charles Street, Parramatta;
· Conservation
will provide awareness and educational opportunities for all levels of
schooling;
· Will
provide a link to the continuous occupation of the Parramatta region;
· May
result in future sympathetic building design;
· Will
provide more information in relation to the sand body and may assist in future
strategic land use planning;
· Will
strengthen Aboriginal relationships in the area, particularly with Council;
· Will
remind persons that the natural environment is continually changing;
· The
inclusion of the marine barracks and garden will provided layered information
on the history of the area.
Tanya
indicated that there would be a public exhibition period advising of the intent
to list the Sand Body and seeking submissions. At this point, the Committee,
organisations or individuals may make a submission. The support of the
Council’s Heritage Advisory Committee to the proposal had been received and
would be reported to a Council Meeting in late March.
Tracey
Appel then provided a Powerpoint presentation to the Committee which provided a
recap on the formation of the Sand Body and on the excavation carried out at
the Meriton’s site.
In
addition, the presentation indicated:-
· The location and results of the auger testing;
· The proposed curtilage of the listing (northern portion of Robin Thomas
Reserve, extending to the 2 historic houses in this area);
· The location of the Sand Body, which may extend all the way to Purchase
Street;
· The Sand Body is being listed as a cultural landscape;
· Any relics located on site are protected under the Heritage Act and at
present would be stored at the Australian Museum;
· The nomination for the proposed listing will be considered for the State
Heritage Register in April, followed by public advertising for 28 days, likely
submission to the Heritage Council in June which will be followed by a
recommendation to the Minister for inclusion on the Register.
A
copy of the presentation and report on the auger testing were tabled at the
meeting and are available for interested members by contacting Maggie Kyle.
Ms
Koeneman and Ms Appel were thanked for their informative presentation and
retired from the meeting at 7.12pm.
Lyn
Leerson commented that this issue provided a great opportunity for Council to
seek more Aboriginal expertise within Council.
RECOMMENDATION (Desjardines/Russo)
That the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Advisory Committee strongly recommends that Parramatta City Council
support the application for the Parramatta Sand Body to be listed on the State Heritage
Register as soon as possible and also notes the support of the Council’s
Heritage Advisory Committee for the proposal.
7. BUSINESS
ARISING
7.1
Parramatta Girls Home
Maggie
Kyle advised that a special working group had now organised the previously
requested smoking ceremony, which is to be held on Saturday 26 February 2011.
Only those carrying out the ceremony are to attend. Requests to attend had been
received from researches and subsequently declined.
Following
the ceremony, a function will be held at 2pm and whilst formal invitations will
not be sent, anyone who feels the issue may be of personal significance may
attend the function. This information should be distributed via members’
networks.
Doug
Desjardines requested that thanks be extended to Maggie Kyle, Marcia Donovan,
Anne Stonham and Sue Pinckham for their efforts in organising the ceremony.
Maggie
added that the Department of Corrective Services had also been most helpful.
7.2 Joint Meeting of the Aboriginal and
Maggie
advised that this matter had not progressed and would be attended to in the
following month.
7.3 Passing
of Marilyn McGee
The
Committee was advised of the passing of former
Lyn
Leerson advised that a large funeral had been held in Holroyd and added that
the Committee’s condolences had been passed on.
Note
The Committee then observed one
minute’s silence in honour of the passing of Ms McGee.
7.4 Cross
Cultural Training
Maggie
advised that no further advice was available in relation to this issue.
Maggie
added that a new Manager Human Resources had recently commenced employment with
Council and it was hoped that the issue would be progressed shortly.
7.5 President
of the Local Government and Shires Association
Maggie
advised that a letter would be forwarded in the near future to Councillor Keith
Rhodes congratulating him on his appointment as the President of the Local
Government and Shires Association.
7.6 Burramatta
Walk Leaflet
Maggie
advised that the date for the official launch of the Burramatta Walking Tour
leaflet was not known as present but would be pursued with Michelle Desailly.
7.7 Site
Visit –
Maggie
noted that the Committee had previously been invited by Jillian Comber to
undertake a site visit of
Ms
Comber had now made contact with Council and requested the opportunity to
update the Committee on a number of the archaeological digs being carried out
in the area.
RECOMMENDATION
That Ms Comber be invited to attend the
next meeting of the Aboriginal and
8. GENERAL
BUSINESS
8.1 Foundation
Acknowledgement
Phil
Russo noted that at the recent Australia Day Celebrations held at Old
Government House, the Lord Mayor had carried out the Acknowledgement to the
Traditional Land Owners but had then carried out a Foundation Acknowledgement.
He noted that the Foundation Acknowledgement also now occurred at Council
Meetings.
Mr
Russo sought advice on how the Committee felt about the Foundation
Acknowledgement, especially as the Committee had not been consulted. He added
that he considered the Foundation Acknowledgement an insult to Aboriginals and
went against the grain of the Acknowledgement to the Traditional Land Owners.
RECOMMENDATION (Desjardines/Russo)
That the Committee expresses
disappointment that the decision to introduce a Foundation Acknowledgement was
taken without reference to the Aboriginal and
8.2 Respects
to Victims of the
Mr
Desjardines requested that the Committee pay its respects to the victims who
had lost their lives today in the
Note
The Committee then observed one
minute’s silence.
8.3 Aboriginal Heritage Operation Branch –
Possible Boundary Changes
John
Robertson noted that correspondence pertaining to this issue had been tabled at
the previous meeting and he had undertaken to investigate this issue and report
to a future meeting.
Mr
Robertson now advised that he had been in contact with staff from the
Aboriginal Heritage Operations Branch who had advised that staff were not
affected and believed that the actual boundary changes would not occur.
The
staff further added that they needed no further assistance from the Committee
in relation to this issue.
8.4
Further
to Item 5 as discussed at the previous meeting, Mr Robertson advised that a
meeting had now been held with the Lord Mayor in relation to various issues
pertaining to
The
meeting had been very positive with the Lord Mayor supportive of all issues
raised and recommendations to be proposed at tonight’s meeting.
The
Lord Mayor had also assured Mr Robertson that no major developments were
proposed at
The
Chairman of the Committee, Mr Gale, advised that he was unaware of the meeting
until after it had been held.
RECOMMENDATION (Robertson/Desjardines)
That the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Advisory Committee endorse, in principle, the proposed development at
1. The
development is no higher than the existing structures;
2. The development occupies no more of the
reserve than the existing fenced area (ie shadow);
3. That the development includes a
dedicated museum/keeping place which could display artefacts, stories, samples
of fauna and flora etc as appropriate of the Barramattagal and Dharug.
4. That the development incorporates an
area/facility which may be used as an educational resource/training/meeting
place.
RECOMMENDATION (Robertson/Desjardines)
That the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Advisory Committee strongly supports that Council reconsider the
position and employment of an identified Aboriginal Ranger/Guide to be engaged
full time on duties at and associated with Lake Parramatta, as a matter of
urgency.
RECOMMENDATION (Robertson/Desjardines)
That Council apply to the Heritage
Council of NSW to have
RECOMMENDATION (Robertson/Desjardines)
That an appropriate plaque be placed at
RECOMMENDATION (Robertson/Desjardines)
That a tree planting ceremony at Lake
8.5 Works
at
Maggie
advised that Sally Williams (Council’s Natural Resource Officer) had previously
requested approval from the Committee for certain works to be carried around
the perimeter of Lake Parramatta Reserve though no subsequent approval or
comment could be located on the issue. It was felt that perhaps the request was
directed to the Executive rather than the Committee.
In
any event, monies had now been received for the subject works, details of which
would be provided at the Committee’s next meeting, with a view to gaining the
Committee’s approval.
8.6
Maggie
advised that the Committee had been informed at its September Meeting in relation
to damage received by the Stone Goanna and the
Sally
Williams had indicated that the Stone Goanna would be repaired, but sought
advice in relation to the on going management of the
John
Robertson commented that he was unaware of the significance of the Stones and
added that he could not recall the Committee being involved in their ownership
or design.
RECOMMENDATION (McDonald/Desjardines)
The Committee raises no objection to
the removal of the
8.7 Guest
Speaker – Mr Paul Kennedy
Council’s
Project Officer, Mr Paul Kennedy, who is responsible for the Heritage Advisory
Committee, had sought this Committee’s approval to attend its next meeting to
discuss the review of Parramatta’s Heritage Listings and to discuss the
Committee’s views regarding the listing of Lake Parramatta on the State
Heritage List.
RECOMMENDATION (McDonald/Desjardines)
That Mr Paul Kennedy be invited to
attend the March meeting of the Aboriginal and
8.8 Kallico
Catering
Mr
Desjardines had recently sampled the catering provided by the subject firm and
noted that it had been excellent. Mr Desjardines further noted that the owners
were Aboriginal and, as part of the business, provided training for Aboriginal
women.
Mr
Desjardines suggested that the Committee consider the use of Kallico Catering
in future relevant functions such as NAIDOC Week.
8.9 Aboriginal Heritage Information held by the
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW)
Maggie
referred to an email previously sent to all members from Council’s Service
Manager Open Space and Natural Resources, Mr Neville Davis. The email sought
endorsement of Council’s submission to 3 local Aboriginal Lands Councils to
enable this Council to have access to Aboriginal Heritage Information held by
the DECCW relating to the Parramatta Local Government Area.
RECOMMENDATION (McDonald/Robertson)
The Committee raises no objection to Council
seeking access to the Aboriginal Heritage Information held by the DECCW relating
to the
8.10 Meeting
Schedule
Maggie
noted that the date of the 26 April 2011 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Advisory Committee Meeting was actually a public holiday.
RECOMMENDATION
That Maggie Kyle provide a replacement
meeting date to all members.
Note
Mr Phil Bradley retired from the
meeting at 8.14pm during consideration of this matter.
8.11 The
Apology and Beyond
Lyn
Leerson tabled information regarding a meeting organised by the Mt Druitt and
District Reconciliation Group on 13 February 2011. A copy of the information is
appended to these minutes as Attachment
1.
Lyn
thanked Doug Desjardines, John Robertson and Linda McDonald for their support
on this issue.
8.12 Australians
for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR)
Doug
Desjardines tabled information on behalf of Mr Bradley regarding the role and
functions of ANTaR. ANTaR’s goal is to undertake informed, specialised
campaigning and to mobilise support that achieves justice and self
determination for Aboriginal people in
The
brochure also invited membership to ANTaR.
RECOMMENDATION (Robertson/Desjardines)
That Council become a member of ANTaR and
purchase 3 years subscription with such subscription being provided for display
at the Council’s Central Library.
8.13 Christmas
Card
Maggie
Kyle tabled a Christmas card from Councillor Bide and his family to the members
of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.
8.14 Reorganisation
of
Maggie
advised that the Parramatta Central Library had recently been reorganised to
create more space. All resources, including Aboriginal resources, had been
culled in line with criteria that referred to documents for which multiple
copies were possessed, were out of date or were in poor condition.
The
NSW Lands Council had been contacted to see if they wished to utilise the
excess Aboriginal Resources for the “Books Behind Bars” program and had sent 2
persons to view the resources.
One
of the Lands Council representatives had expressed concern in relation to the
amount of Aboriginal material being discarded and they had been informed that
the same criteria applied to all material held by the Library.
The
Library has now been advised that it would be beneficial to speak to this
Committee prior to undertaking any reduction in Aboriginal Resources in the
future.
Mr
Desjardines noted that the Lands Council could also have spoken to this
Committee if it had concerns.
8.15 NAIDOC
Week
Lyn
Leerson asked when the issue of NAIDOC Week would once again be placed on the
Committee’s agenda.
Maggie
advised that the issue had been discussed with the Major Events Manager who had
indicated it would be late March before planning for this event occurred.
Maggie
added that a separate Committee meeting would be organised to discuss this
issue.
8.16 Apology
for March Meeting
Mr
Robertson submitted his apologies for the 22 March 2011 meeting.
The
meeting terminated at 8.27pm.