Cultural values assessment mapping

Yarns Parai (Stories on country). detail, Saretta Fielding

Transport has engaged an Aboriginal-owned business and a team of local Aboriginal people to undertake an Aboriginal cultural values assessment for the proposed Lower Hunter Freight Corridor.

Previous investigations undertaken by Transport indicated the potential corridor routes – for a dedicated freight rail line between Fassifern and Hexham, bypassing Newcastle – could pass through areas of cultural and archaeological sensitivity.

In developing the preferred option Transport wanted to ensure that the process was fully informed of the Aboriginal cultural landscape and Aboriginal community aspirations.

The values assessment integrates the ethno-historic record with oral tradition and uses artwork and digital materials to present findings and assist in passing the knowledge collated back to community in a meaningful way.

The project has improved connections between Transport strategic planners, Aboriginal business and cultural knowledge holders.

As part of the strategic planning for the Princes Highway Upgrade, Transport is also engaging with Aboriginal communities from Nowra to the Victorian border to better identify and map areas of cultural sensitivity within the landscape and reduce future impacts.

The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor will enable a future dedicated freight rail line to be constructed between Fassifern and Hexham; bypassing Newcastle while improving regional and interstate links.

Yarns Parai (Stories on country)
Artwork by Saretta Fielding