A Transport Department spokeswoman confirmed work in the area where the remains were found on February 17 had been halted, but overall progress on the 5.7km extension had not been affected.

Archaeologists at the site – on the corner of Lovelock Dr and Honeypot Rd, Noarlunga Downs – are examining the remains prior to their reburial.

via AdelaideNow

The bones of three Aboriginal people, which are thought to be more than 300 years old, were found during excavation works in Noarlunga Downs on February 17, 25 and 26.

A smoking ceremony – attended by Kaurna people, Transport Department staff and archaeologists – was held at the site last week.

Kaurna senior Buster Turner, who has overseen siteworks, said the ceremony was to “release the spirits peacefully into the sky”.

She said the remains could be reburied where they were found if the rail route between Old Honeypot and River roads was moved slightly to the south.

“That site is sacred and significant to our culture,” Ms Turner told the Southern Times Messenger.

“We’re asking the Transport Department to move the rail route so we can leave the bodies where they are.”

The Kaurna Nation Cultural Heritage Association last year called for another route to be found for the 1.2km rail bridge over the Onkaparinga River amid fears it would destroy ancient sites.

Elders said at the time there was “women’s ground” along the rail corridor, within the Onkaparinga River National Park, including ancient artefacts and remains.

Ms Turner said the unearthing of the remains and the continuation of work on the site was “distressing” for the Kaurna community.

“A day or two after the first bones were found there were workers excavating again.

“I found that appalling and disgusting – there was no respect for our culture.”

Flinders University archaeology professor Claire Smith said the discovery of the bones was culturally and scientifically significant.

A Transport Department spokeswoman said work continued “in a manner which is respectful of, and sensitive to, concerns about the exposure of skeletal material”.

“The Aboriginal groups in attendance were given the opportunity to conduct appropriate ceremonies and to participate in securing the remains, pending burial,” she said.

In an emailed response, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Grace Portolesi said she had not intervened in the on-site works.

“The respectful and sensitive management of discoveries of Aboriginal remains during this project are governed by existing plans and agreements, which were negotiated between the Transport Department and the Aboriginal people concerned in recent years,” Ms Portolesi said.

Australian Cultural Heritage Management chief executive Dr Neale Draper, who will be examining the bones, declined to comment.

via Messenger News

An archaeologist visited the site on Old Honeypot Rd, Noarlunga Downs, on Tuesday, February 22, to survey the site and find the rest of the body.

It is understood construction workers came across the remains, including a leg, arm, hip and skull, on Thursday, February 17, while preparing the site for the 1.2km rail bridge to cross the Onkaparinga River.

Kaurna senior Buster Turner said the archaeologist had only been able to sift through the top soil because of on-ground works.

“We want work stopped until the archaeologist has had a chance to do their work,” Ms Turner said.

“They can’t do much because work is going on at the same time.

“The workers should stop to be respectful of a person that once walked this land – it’s really sad if they don’t.”

She said if work could not be stopped a 100m buffer around the location where the bones were found would be appreciated.

via Messenger News

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and state counterpart Pat Conlon said the $10.2 million project development contract for electrification had been awarded to Laing O’Rourke.

Mr Albanese said the company had over 30 years experience designing and constructing electrified rail systems nationally and overseas.

“The Adelaide rail electrification project will deliver long lasting benefits for the Adelaide transport network: modernizing the lines, benefiting the environment and enhancing lifestyle in Adelaide” he said.

“It is also delivering jobs and bringing international companies to SA.”

The system will cover over more than 100 kilometres of track from Gawler to Seaford, and Adelaide to Outer Harbor.

Mr Conlon said the next phase of the project would deliver about 100 jobs.

“This work represents the nuts and bolts of electrification the poles and wires and signalling and communication systems required to run a state-of-the-art electric rail system complete with brand new trains,” he said.

“In around two years electric trains will be part of a multi-billion dollar network providing faster, more efficient, greener, more frequent and safer bus, train and tram services.”

The first electrified services will run on the new Seaford rail line in 2013, and on the Noarlunga and Gawler lines later that year, with electrification of the Outer Harbor line to be completed in 2015.

The electrification project includes provision of a 25,000 volt overhead wiring system to the metropolitan passenger rail network.

via AdelaideNow

Announcing the contract today Transport Minister Patrick Conlon said major construction work on the $291 million, 5.7km extension of the rail line from Noarlunga Centre to the Seaford District Centre would begin early next year, with final design and preliminary works to start this year.

The Government is expected to announce the winning tender for provision of 70 new electric rail cars in the next few weeks and passenger services should begin operating on the extended line in 2013.

Forums: View the latest Seaford rail extension news, photos and updates.

The biggest part of the project will be the construction of the 1.2km Onkaparinga Valley Bridge, which will be the longest bridge in the state.

Mr Conlon said bridge building costs would account for about $250 million of the total $291 million project.

“It’s a very big bridge and the most important step in connecting Seaford with our rail system,” he said.

“The corridor goes over a meandering part of the Onkaparinga River and was purchased a very long time ago. I think it will be a great sight to see.

Mr Conlon said concerns from indigenous leaders that construction of the bridge, which will be longer than the Sydney Harbour Bridge, would disrupt significant cultural sites had been addressed.

“We’ve been very careful about the issues around the river,” he said.

“Obviously in a state with very few rivers, they’ve always been a centre of importance to aboriginal people and we’ve worked very carefully through those issues.”

Theiss has worked on projects including Victoria’s M80 ring road upgrade, while McConnell Dowell was responsible for the Bakewell Underpass.

Construction of the rail line and sleepers will involve enough steel to build 30 Boeing 747s and 11 hectares of vegetation will be planted along the corridor.

via AdelaideNow
 

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