An agreed plan to relocate the skeletal remains of indigenous people found buried at a South Australian housing development has caused division among the local indigenous community.
The 450-ha Riverlea housing project, situated 30km north of Adelaide, is set to become South Australia’s largest master-planned estate, with the construction of 12,000 properties for 40,000 residents over the next 14 years.
But sections of the development ground to a halt earlier this year when excavators discovered the remains of Kauna ancestors at two confined burial sites, one of which had already been sold off to homebuyers.
An archaeological assessment conducted by respected anthropologist and archaeologist Neale Draper has since concluded the remains were buried with traditional Kauna burial practices.
Kaurna Yerta elders approve relocating remains
It has now been announced the approximate 27 Aboriginal remains found at the Riverlea development site will be relocated with the blessing of community elders after consultation with the developer Walker Corporation.
In a statement provided to Built-it on Thursday, Tim Agius, chairperson and elder of the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation, said a decision had been made to exhume the remains and rebury them nearby.
“The community’s preferred position was that the ancestors remain in their burial ground and not be removed from Riverlea,” he said.
“However, under the circumstances and with the support of Kaurna Elders, we have made the difficult decision to respectfully exhume the remains to ensure their protection,” he said.
Mr Agius said the Kaurna Yerta were working alongside developer Walker group to find a suitable reburial site for the ancestors.
“We are following a process that has been endorsed by our Elders for 30 years. When
ancestors are found, they are relocated to a safe location near the development,” he said.
“At Riverlea, we are working to identify an area to rebury our ancestors as close as practical to where they have been discovered.”
Indigenous community members claim decision was made without consultation
However, not everyone is satisfied with the decision, as some Kaurna community members say they weren’t consulted and demand that the remains be placed back.
Protesters converged on the Riverlea development last weekend with activist and Kaurna, Narungga, Ngarrindjeri and Nyoongar woman Natasha Wanganeen denying the results of the archaeological assessment commissioned by Walker Corporation, alleging the graves to be “massacre sites”.
“Anyone thinking of buying a home here you are putting your spirit and soul at risk,” she said.
“You all have family buried out there in Adelaide. What would you do if I went out there with a shovel and started digging them up, bagging them up, and telling you: sorry, I want to put my house there?”
The “massacre site” claims were quickly quashed by the Kauna Yerta Corporation this week, who stated the evidence clearly showed otherwise.
“Initial cultural heritage surveys undertaken with Kaurna participants suggest the remains and artefacts pre-date colonisation,” the statement read.
“Further archaeological investigations indicate the area was not a massacre site, with the placement of individual remains being consistent with traditional Kaurna burial practices.”
Walker Corporation spokesperson told Build-it the company had total confidence in the archaeological assessment conducted after commissioning the government’s preferred assessor.
The spokesperson said all works have been placed on hold at the two burial sites while the developer awaits government authorisation for continued development and further guidance from KYAC and Kaurna Yerta elders.
“Construction continues in all other areas of Riverlea, safely away from these halted areas,” they told Build-it.
City of Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty told Build-it that Walker Corporation was working with the South Australian government to resolve remaining concerns.
“The Council understands that there is currently a process underway between the State Government and the developer to work through matters at the Riverlea development,” he said.
South Australia Native Title Services told Build-it they aim to fulfil the wish of Kauna community members who have asked for a memorial garden and reflection centre at the estate to honour and pay respects to the ancestors.
Build-it has yet to receive a response from the South Australian Government or Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher, who will have the final approval on exhuming the remains.
