Guiding a Sensitive Ancestral Remains Discovery to a Culturally Led Outcome in Northern Victoria
Goulburn-Murray Water is the rural water corporation responsible for storing and delivering water across northern Victoria. Its network includes major storages, thousands of kilometres of channel and a large program of regulating structures, weirs and pipelines supporting irrigation, stock and domestic supply throughout the region.
In 2011 Goulburn-Murray Water engaged Australian Cultural Heritage Management to complete a Complex Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the replacement of the Box Creek Weir, a structure that was 100 years old. The Cultural Heritage Management Plan was approved and construction began. During very early works, human skeletal remains were exposed.
ACHM was engaged to manage the community and government consultation that followed. Discussions were held with Traditional Owners over a 12 month period so that the long term management of the Ancestral remains was determined by the people with cultural authority for that Country, not by a construction timetable. Alongside that process, ACHM and Traditional Owners undertook a comprehensive archaeological investigation and recording of the burial site. The burial was found to be undisturbed, and excavation was conducted so that it remained in situ. Freshwater mussel shell found in direct association with the Ancestral remains returned a radiocarbon date of 12,500 years, placing the burial within the age range of numerous other interments fringing Ghow (Kow) Swamp.
Traditional Owners resolved that the remains should not be disturbed. Goulburn-Murray Water and its construction partners redesigned the weir structure to avoid impact, allowing the replacement to proceed on a basis Traditional Owners, the regulator and the client could all stand behind.
Client
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW)
Location
Ghow (Kow) Swamp, Victoria
Sectors
Public Sector
Infrastructure
Services
Results Delivered
Resolving a Sensitive Ancestral Remains Discovery Through Aboriginal Archaeological Assessment During a Water Infrastructure Replacement
When human skeletal remains were exposed during construction of the Box Creek Weir, Australian Cultural Heritage Management led twelve months of consultation with Traditional Owners and undertook the archaeological investigation that confirmed the burial’s age and integrity. Goulburn-Murray Water redesigned the weir structure in response, delivering critical water infrastructure while honouring the wishes of Traditional Owners in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if human remains are discovered during a Victorian infrastructure project?
If human remains are discovered, works must stop immediately in the area and the discovery reported to the Coroner and to First Peoples State Relations. Where the remains are Aboriginal, their management is then determined through consultation with Traditional Owners under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. At the Box Creek Weir, Australian Cultural Heritage Management managed twelve months of consultation with Traditional Owners following the discovery of Ancestral remains, ensuring their wishes guided every subsequent decision.
Can a water infrastructure project continue after Ancestral remains are found?
In many cases, yes, once Traditional Owners have determined how the remains should be managed. At Box Creek Weir, an archaeological investigation confirmed the burial was undisturbed and, following extensive consultation, Traditional Owners resolved that it should not be disturbed. Goulburn-Murray Water redesigned the weir structure in response, allowing a critical piece of water infrastructure to be delivered while the burial remained protected in place. Learn more about our archaeological assessment services.
How are Aboriginal burials dated by archaeologists?
Aboriginal burials are typically dated using radiocarbon analysis of organic material found in direct association with the remains, such as shell or charcoal, rather than the remains themselves. At Box Creek Weir, freshwater mussel shell recovered alongside the Ancestral remains returned a radiocarbon date of 12,500 years, placing the burial within the age range of the wider Ghow (Kow) Swamp burial landscape. Australian Cultural Heritage Management undertakes this kind of specialist archaeological investigation as part of our excavation services.
Why does an approved CHMP need an unexpected finds protocol?
An unexpected finds protocol sets out, in advance, the steps a project must follow if Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered during construction, including cessation of works, notification and agreed consultation with Traditional Owners. Without one, a discovery like the Box Creek Weir burial can bring a project to a standstill with no clear pathway forward. Australian Cultural Heritage Management prepares unexpected finds protocols as part of every CHMP we deliver, and provided the on ground response that guided Goulburn-Murray Water through this discovery.
What role do Traditional Owners play in decisions about Ancestral remains?
Traditional Owners hold the cultural authority to determine how Ancestral remains connected to their Country are managed, and their decision takes precedence over programme or design considerations. At Box Creek Weir, that meant twelve months of sustained consultation before a course of action was agreed, and a construction redesign once it was. Australian Cultural Heritage Management facilitated that process for Goulburn-Murray Water, ensuring Traditional Owner decision making was properly supported.
