Deebing Heights
Background and cultural heritage information
November 2022
Stockland Botanica is a new masterplanned residential community planned at Grampian Drive, Deebing Heights.
Across our many years of planning, we have undertaken sustained engagement with Yuggera Ugarapul (YUP) Traditional Owners.
This engagement is in recognition of the cultural heritage significance of the locality to Traditional Owners, our commitment to cooperatively agree to a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) and Relationship Agreement with the YUP.
Following the peaceful protests held at the Stockland Botanica site recently, a decision has been made by Stockland to pause works temporarily to maintain safety of the site.
Stockland respects the history of the area and over the many years of planning, a significant amount of work has been undertaken to ensure the local cultural heritage values of the land are recognised and respected, as well as the registered Traditional Owners’ connection to it.
We are taking this time to further engage with and work alongside the Yuggera Ugarapul People (YUP).
Stockland has engaged in good faith with YUP representatives over many years. The YUP are the recognised traditional owners for the locality, including our landholding.
We recognise the YUP have close cultural connection to the locality and have obligations to care for country, which we support.
Together we agreed and completed a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) and Relationship Agreement in late 2020.
Through the Relationship Agreement we are seeking to deliver our residential project in a culturally sensitive way, as guided by YUP representatives.
We have established a reference group with the YUP to facilitate ongoing communications and identification of opportunities and benefits for the YUP.
The project site has primarily been used for grazing, with historic removal of vegetation.
Stockland commissioned independent cultural heritage assessments of the property during 2013, 2021 and 2022.
As part of the site investigations, YUP representatives participated in cultural heritage surveys and studies, as well as ground test pit surveys. From this, it was determined that the site had limited Aboriginal cultural heritage values and clearance was provided by the YUP for Stockland to commence works.
The Cultural Heritage Management Plan ensures compliance with the duty of care to preserve Aboriginal cultural heritage
During site assessment Aboriginal artefacts such as stone flints were identified in some areas, particularly along the watercourse which is common across the district. These artifacts were retrieved by YUP members conducting the surveys.
Yes, a section of Deebing Creek is located on the site.
Our masterplan ensures we will not interfere with the integrity of Deebing Creek. This is also controlled by State and local Government conditions of development.
Our plans include creek rehabilitation and the creation of vegetated buffers to protect in-situ cultural heritage values.
These measures have been implemented through consultation with YUP representatives.
A CHMP is a legally binding document with strong legislative requirements to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Stockland’s CHMP has been negotiated with the YUP Traditional Owners. As this document has been executed, Stockland is legally bound to comply with all requirements.
This CHMP includes the requirement for Stockland to actively assess areas for artefacts, and carefully collect and store any identified artefacts to ensure protection. We are also obliged to report any cultural heritage ‘finds’ which are thought to be significant.
A CHMP is a legally binding document with strong legislative requirements to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Stockland’s CHMP has been negotiated with the YUP Traditional Owners. As this document has been executed, Stockland is legally bound to comply with all requirements.
This CHMP includes the requirement for Stockland to actively assess areas for artefacts, and carefully collect and store any identified artefacts to ensure protection. We are also obliged to report any cultural heritage ‘finds’ which are thought to be significant.
Stockland and its contractors will comply with the requirements to protect and gather any Aboriginal artefacts which may be found.
All artefacts will be provided to the YUP who will store and protect these artefacts.
All Stockland contractors will be fully inducted to ensure compliant and sensitive cultural heritage management.
The CHMP and Relationship Agreement are practical demonstration of Stockland’s corporate commitment to reconciliation, in addition to a registered Innovate RAP. Our current RAP is our third registered RAP since 2014.
Our Innovate RAP is implemented by an active RAP action group, with initiatives including procurement of services from Aboriginal businesses, student scholarships and employment, and recognition of country.
