Parramatta Light Rail
Artefact was engaged by Transport for NSW to explore Aboriginal cultural values in and around the areas of the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 alignment.
The project
Location: Parramatta, Sydney on Dharug Country
The NSW Government built an integrated light rail service to support the growing population and business opportunities throughout the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula.
The project included the construction of a 10-kilometre, two-way light rail track, 14 light rail stops, several bridges, as well as transport interchanges subject to planning approval.
As part of the planning process Artefact was engaged by Transport for NSW to explore Aboriginal cultural values in and around the areas of the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 alignment.
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Greater Sydney Parklands
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Heritage Impact Assessment
Detailed heritage survey
Community consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders to establish local cultural values and guide archaeological excavations.
“With any major new infrastructure project, it’s important to understand Aboriginal views about the broader cultural and environmental context of the location involved. In our experience, engaging with Traditional Knowledge Holders typically leads to better project outcomes.”
Heritage solution
Our task was to identify the relationships Aboriginal People have to this area and provide insights to minimise the potential impacts of the project.
Artefact engaged Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) and Traditional Knowledge Holders through site visits and interviews to listen and understand their social and cultural connections to the area.
Drawing upon independent historical and anthropological research, transcripts (with quotations) of the interviews are at the heart of the report and inform our findings and recommendations.
Outcomes
A number of important themes emerged during the interviews in addition to the importance of Connection to Country - the cultural value and significance of waterways and sight lines was discussed as well as disrupted histories, and urban development that has occurred in the area.
Aboriginal People of note in the area were also identified for consideration.
From these themes we were able to present a range of project specific recommendations for consideration such as: the conservation of Joe Hurst’s art installation on Grand Avenue; regeneration of riverbanks; the celebration of local Aboriginal role models; Aboriginal histories and the use of Darug language on interpretation signage; and the inclusion of an Acknowledgement of Country at light rail stops.