Cowarra Dam Public Art Project Booklet.pdf (1.17 ... - Hastings Council

Cowarra Dam Project

Artwork by Maria Ritchie.

Contents
INTRODUCTION 2
BIRPAI NATION 3
BUNYAH LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL 4
BUNYAH JIMMEY 5
BUILDING BRIDGES AND A BIG DAM 6
WORKING TOGETHER 8
INDIGENOUS HERITAGE 9
CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 10
RECYCLING AND REUSING 11
PUBLIC ART PROJECT 12
THE ARTISTS 15
PROVIDING A DROUGHT SECURE FUTURE 16
COWARRA DAM DETAILS 18
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 20

Introduction
The Cowarra “Off-Creek Storage” Dam is located
in the coastal ranges between Port Macquarie
and Wauchope on the New South Wales Mid-
North Coast. It was built on the upper catchment
of a small unnamed tributary of King Creek
approximately 4km south of the Oxley Highway
and 3km west of the Pacific Highway.
As guardians of the land and waterways in
the Wauchope area, Bunyah Local Aboriginal
Land Council (LALC) worked closely with
Hastings Council during the development and
construction of the Cowarra Dam.
This booklet was written to remind people how
the dam came about and to tell the story of the Bunyah people’s
cooperation and active involvement in the Cowarra Dam and the
strong partnerships that developed during its construction.
Map depicting Local Aboriginal Land Council areas.
It also explains why a new dam was needed to help ensure a drought
secure future, while protecting environmental flows in the Hastings
River and how a public art project was developed to celebrate these
positive partnerships and give meaningful recognition to the long
term existence of the local Aboriginal community.
2

Birpai Nation
The land and waterways of the Hastings are part of
the Birpai Nation which consisted of three groups.
The Northern group was located on the coast north
of the Wilson River; the Central, on the Hastings and
Camden Haven Rivers; the Southern, to the south and
west of the Manning River. Originally Port Macquarie and
Wauchope areas both came under the Birpai Local Aboriginal
Land Council (est. early 1980’s).
There are a number of variations on
the spelling of the Birpai tribal name
including Biripi.
3
Original design by Lois Davis.

Bunyah Local
Aboriginal Land Council
In 1985, Bunyah LALC was set up to meet the needs
of Birpai people living in the Wauchope area.
Bunyah LALC currently represents over
200 members and is active in pursuing
housing, employment, education and
training opportunities and the return
of land under the 1983 Land Rights
Act for its people. It is responsible
for protecting Aboriginal sites
and preserving Aboriginal history,
traditions and customs.
The Bunyah LALC is the custodian of the
land and waterways in the Wauchope area
including the Cowarra Dam site.
Founding members of Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council:
Frank and Isabell Moran (left), Frances & Amos Donovan (above).
4

Bunyah Jimmey
Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council was named
after the legendary koori “Bunyah Jimmey”.
According to Bunyah LALC, Bunyah Jimmey was
the leader of his people during the 1800’s and his
movements ranged from the Wauchope to the
Camden Haven areas including the Cowarra area.
It is believed he was always at the head of the line
when his people moved camp, indicating that Bunyah
Jimmey was a respected leader and elder.
He led his people through many turbulent times
and earned the title “Bunyah Jimmey – King of the
Hastings”. He is thought to have been more than 100
years old when he died in 1905.
Elder and leader Bunyah Jimmey
5

Building Bridges
and a Big Dam
Water is a precious resource especially during times of drought.
Back in 1985, Hastings Council realised it needed a long-term strategy
for drought-proofing Hastings’ water supply and decided that the
growing district would need a second “off-creek storage” dam. Research
indicated that Cowarra State Forest offered the best site.
Aware that Bunyah LALC was the custodian of the land in this
area, Hastings Council and the Department of Works and Services
representatives (now Department of Commerce) approached the Land
Council to seek support for the project and discuss how they might
work together.
These discussions identified that training and employment
opportunities were a high priority for the Land Council and once
sufficient trust and understanding was established, an agreement was
reached. Bunyah LALC assisted in the process of extinguishing native
title on the site to allow the Cowarra Dam to proceed and opened the
doors to employment and training opportunities on the project for
Bunyah people.
6

The Bunyah people believe that
water is an important resource to
us all and that the Cowarra Dam
would ultimately benefit everyone.
“We have a positive relationship
with Hastings Council Water Supply
people. The thing that won us over
was the way they approached us,”
a Bunyah spokesman said. “The
Cowarra Dam Project has built
bridges between Hastings Council
and Bunyah LALC”.
Left: Photograph from the Thomas
Dick Collection has been reproduced
with permission from the Birpai Local
Aboriginal Land Council and the
Queensland Museum. This image was
used to inform design development of
some of the ceramic mosaic works.
7

From the early planning stages Bunyah LALC was
actively involved in investigating, developing and
constructing Cowarra Dam. Along with Hastings
Council, they worked closely with the Department
of Commerce, who managed dam design and
construction.
Bunyah people were contracted on works including
construction of the access road, water supply
trunk mains, dam embankment and Koree
#3 Pumping Station. They also undertook
site clearing and erosion control,
catchment weed management, grass
and tree planting.
Ray Donovan
Cooks Construction, which undertook the major
construction works over a two-year period, also
employed members of Bunyah LALC as clerical
assistants, trade assistants and field staff during the
construction of the dam embankment.
Bunyah still has the important job of water
sampling. Workers take water samples from
downstream and upstream of the dam on a
monthly and event basis. The data on water
quality gathered throughout the construction
and today is vital to monitoring the dam’s
impact upon the environment.
Tash Chatfield & Casey Roberts
Working Together
8
Chris Donovan, Trevor Roberts and Stanley Chatfield

Anthony
Gray
Bunyah LALC members involved
in the Cowarra Dam Project:
Karen Baz, Rhonda Baxter,
Warren Baxter, Cathy Chatfield,
Tash Chatfield, Stanley Chatfield,
Amos Donovan (Mossy),
Ray Donovan, Pat Donovan,
Jamie Donovan, Chris Donovan,
Luke Donovan, Troy Durose,
Anthony Gray, Nicholas Gray,
Michael Gee, Bill Lee,
Will Lee (Wonk), Fred Miller,
Leanne Miller, Jennifer Morris (Annie),
Sue Morris, Jodie Morris,
Casey Roberts, Trevor Roberts
and Trevor Roberts Jnr.
Indigenous Heritage
Bunyah LALC Sites Officers, Fred Miller, Trevor
Roberts and Troy Durose, worked with consultant
archaeologist, Jacqueline Collins, to survey the area
before and during construction of the dam.
10 Aboriginal sites including an open campsite
were discovered, most of which showed
evidence of tool making.
The 39 artefacts found on the site are discards
from stone tool making, a process which
applied force to stones in certain ways to
control the natural fracture process to create
a range of flaked stone implements.
The artefacts were removed before the dam was
built and given to Bunyah LALC for safe keeping.
9
Cathy Chatfield, Tash Chatfield & Pat Donavan

Caring for the Environment
Hastings Council has taken an environmentally sustainable
approach towards ensuring a secure water supply for the
Hastings rapidly growing population.
The Bunyah people respect the environment and are closely
connected to the land. They were very supportive of the
project when they became aware that the Cowarra Dam was
being built to save the Hastings River.
The health of the Hastings River has been
of paramount importance in all aspects
of planning. The new Koree Island #3
Pumping Station just west of Wauchope
is designed to pump larger volumes of
water to Cowarra Dam when the river
has a good flow.
During times of drought when river flow
is low, Council stops pumping from the
river and relies on Port Macquarie and
Cowarra “Off-Creek Storage” dams to
meet consumer needs.
This operating arrangement also helps
protect the platypuses, aquatic plants
and fish passage in the river, which
are regularly monitored by scientists
employed to research how much
water can be taken from the
river without causing additional
stress on the aquatic and riparian
environments.
Council is also developing reclaimed
water supply schemes in the Port
Macquarie, Wauchope and Camden
Haven areas, to provide an alternative
source of water. Advanced Reclaimed Water Plants will purify
up to 20% of our wastewater, creating a win-win situation for
the community and the environment.
To minimise any environmental impact at the dam site,
clearing was done in stages. Trees were left along creek beds
and around the top of the dam to reduce the risk of erosion
and run-off. Identified habitat trees were not removed and
protected from disturbance until inhabitants had relocated
elsewhere in the catchment.
Bunyah workers spread grass seed and erected silt control
fencing as each area was cleared to reduce the impact of soil
eroding and “running off” into the waterways. They also hand
cleared Lantana from steep hillsides so that chemical sprays
were not needed.
10

During construction, site
clearing was only carried out
from September to February
each year so as not to disturb
the Glossy Black Cockatoo
breeding season.
Tree seeds were collected on site
so that the local flora could be
replanted. The seedlings were all planted
in drought time after completing major
construction works. The average
success rate for the seedlings has
ranged between 50 % and 70 %.
A total of 5,000 native trees were
replanted in the catchment area
including Ironbark, Tallowwood,
Turpentine and Casuarinas.
Approximately 70% of the tree seedlings
planted were Casuarinas selected because their
seed cones are the Glossy Black Cockatoos’ prime
food source.
100 rare Eucalyptus bancroftii (Orange Flower
Gum) seedlings were replanted to replace
14, which had to be disturbed for the
construction of the southern access road.
Recycling & Re-using
About 80 % of the timber from site
clearing was recycled and reused.
State Forestry logged some
of the trees, others were used
as fence posts. Turpentine
trees were salvaged by local
oyster farmers and firewood
suppliers salvaged other
waste timber.
The sculptural totems
overlooking Cowarra Dam
picnic area were carved using
timber cleared from the site.
All timber cleared from the
southern access road was chipped
and mulched and used on other Council
landscaping projects and by members of the
community who were invited to take mulch
for their gardens.
The remaining 20% of wood and timber waste
from the clearing was burnt and the ashes
buried on site.
11

Public Art Project
From the outset, the Cowarra Dam project recognised
the traditional custodians of the site.
In 2004, Hastings Council’s Water Supply Section
commissioned local artists to create public artworks
to acknowledge and respect aboriginal cultural
heritage and contribution to the dam, reflect the
importance of water in our lives and enhance the
dam’s public access area.
The Cowarra Dam Public Art Project was also Section
Manager, Murray Thompson’s vision for a special
way to recognise Bunyah
LALC’s ongoing involvement
in developing the dam and
the strong partnerships that
developed during that time.
The project was initiated with
the support of Hastings Council’s Cultural Services
section and involved project partners including
Bunyah LALC, WaterWise NSW and Wauchope
Campus, North Coast Institute of TAFE.
In July 2004, NSW Premier, Bob
Carr inspected the Cowarra
Dam and met with local
artists working on the
project.
12

The project involved Wauchope TAFE Fine Art students
and local Aboriginal artists who were employed as
trainee public artists to work with experienced public
artists and project mentors Stephen Killick, Guy
Crosley and Jacky Beckhurst.
Bunyah LALC nominated Aboriginal artists Lois Davis,
Isabell Moran, Frank Dargin and Maria Ritchie to
develop designs which were incorporated into public
art installations for the picnic area overlooking the
dam. The design artists studied Fine Art at Wauchope
TAFE.
A series of colourful and unique artworks were
created which recognise the site’s significance, reflect
local identity and create a sense of community
ownership of the Cowarra Dam.
Ceramic mosaic installations
and seating benches
coordinated by Guy Crosley,
comprise four mosaic panels
of handmade tiles and two
ceramic boomerang viewing
benches. The ceramics team
included trainee public artists:
Des Chapman, Olga Davis, Elaine
Morris and Brett Ritchie.
The Sculptural Poles installation coordinated by
Stephen Killick comprises 20 carved and decorated
totems which stand like sentinels overlooking the
dam. The trainee public artists team of Gary Chapman,
Amos Donovan, Kylie Dyson,
Maria Ritchie and Shane
Shields carved and painted
the poles using timber
reclaimed from the site.
13

A stainless steel commissioned sculpture titled
“The Drip” by Wauchope artist Peter Allison is
appropriately located over the inlet chute,
channeling water into the dam from the
pumping station at Koree Island.
Wauchope TAFE was a key project partner,
having an existing Aboriginal Arts and
Cultural Practices course and a good
working relationship with many local
indigenous artists.
The project also provided a rare opportunity for Aboriginal artists and
students to be mentored and gain hands-on work experience on a
public art project and to learn public art skills such as working with
local government, responding to a brief, developing a budget and
maintaining a schedule. Through this experience, local Aboriginal artists
have enhanced their skills and confidence assisting them to play an
active role in future public art projects.
The project has also been referred to as “reconciliation in
action”, promoting an active dialogue between past and
present and helping strengthen trust and understanding
between different groups.
“Drip”
by Peter Allison
14

The Artists
Lois Davis
Frank Dargin
Isabell Moran
Frank Edward Dargin -
Frank belongs to the Wauchope Reconciliation
Group and hopes that the artworks will help
to bring people together. He was born near
Dubbo in 1941 and lived in Newcastle before
moving to Wauchope in 1996.
Lois Davis - Lois is one of the recognised
Birpai Elders, her father Cecil Davis’ ancestors
Amos Donovan
farmed the Rollands Plains in the 1800s. Born
in Taree in 1937, Lois has called Wauchope and Port Macquarie
home since the 1980s and refers to this area as Ngamba. The design
on the front gate of the dam is Lois’ work.
Isabell Moran - Isabell belongs to the Thungutti people and has
ancestors from the Rollands Plains area. She grew up in Kempsey
and moved to Wauchope when she married. She established the
Bindi Aboriginal Heritage and Culture Centre in Wauchope.
Maria Ritchie - Maria from Kendall, is Isabell Moran’s
daughter and helps to run the Bindi Aboriginal Heritage
and Culture Centre. Maria has a chainsaw license and was
one of the five artists employed to carve the poles.
Stephen Killick, Gary Chapman, Kylie Dyson & Shane Shields
PUBLIC ARTISTS & ARTIST MENTORS:
Guy Crosley, Stephen Killick
& Jacky Beckhurst
TRAINEE PUBLIC ARTISTS:
Sculptural Poles:
Gary Chapman, Amos Donovan,
Kylie Dyson, Maria Ritchie
& Shane Shields
Ceramic Artworks:
Des Chapman, Olga Davis,
Elaine Morris & Brett Ritchie
COMMISSIONED SCULPTURE:
“Drip” by Peter Allision
PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
Kim Freeman & Janet Cohen
Jacklynn Travers, Des Chapman, Jacky Beckhurst, Kylie Dyson,
Elaine Morris, Ron Naden, Olga Davis, Guy Crosley & Michael Dumas
Maria Ritchie
15

Providing a drought secure future
The Cowarra “Off-Creek”
Storage Dam is part of the
Hastings District Water Supply
Augmentation Scheme.
Port Macquarie Dam
It was built to meet the
predicted long term urban growth demands for
water supply, and will cater for a population of
120,000, which is expected to be reached by 2025.
Since 1985 Hastings Council has progressively
developed a strategy for the augmentation of the
water supply scheme. The dam was designed to
protect environmental flows in the Hastings River
and provide the Hastings area with a reliable water
supply even during times of drought.
The Cowarra “Off-Creek” Storage Dam is filled by taking
water from the Hastings River at the Koree Island
pumping station located just west of Wauchope.
During times of drought when river flow is low,
Council can stop pumping and rely upon the dam
to meet consumer needs. The Cowarra Dam is a
key component of the Council’s plan to provide the
Hastings with a drought secure future.
The design and project management
for the dam construction was
undertaken by the NSW Department
of Commerce. Work on the
foundations commenced on 11th
January 1999, with the storage dam
being completed on time on 12th
October 2001.
Left - Koree Island Pumping Station
Below - Cowarra Dam, Wauchope
The dam is large enough to hold 10,000 megalitres of
water, which is equivalent to 6,700 Olympic swimming
pools.
16

The Cowarra Dam supplements
the 2.5 megalitre Port
Macquarie Dam which was
constructed in 1978. The two
dams provide water for the
Port Macquarie, Wauchope and
Camden Haven areas.
WaterWise Hastings Council
has been actively involved
in the Cowarra Dam Project,
conducting informative public
tours of the Cowarra Dam site
since the beginning of the
construction phase.
They also provide community
education on the need for and
means of water conservation
both on a domestic and
commercial level.
Main map - Reservoirs and trunk mains
of the Hastings Water Supply System.
Inset Map - Road access to Cowarra Dam.
17

Cowarra Dam Details
The 10,000 megalitre Cowarra “Off-Creek” Storage
Dam is located 5 kilometres south east of Wauchope
in the Cowarra State Forest. Water needed to fill the
dam is pumped from the Hastings River at Koree
Island, just west of Wauchope. The dam supplies
water to the Wauchope, Camden Haven and Port
Macquarie areas.
Gross Capacity: 10,000 megalitres
Full Supply Level (FSL): 58.8 metres (AHD)
Catchment Area: 110 hectares
Surface Area @ FSL: 70 hectares
Main Embankment Wall
Type:
Earthfill with clay core and sand filters
Volume of Material: 1,200,000 cubic metres
Height:
43 metres
Length:
545 metres
Width at Top: 6 metres
Width at Base: 250 metres
Saddle Dam
Type:
Earthfill, similar to main embankment
Volume of Material: 28,000 cubic metres
Height:
17 metres
Length:
130 metres
Width at Top: 6 metres
Width at Base: 160 metres
18

Spillway
Type:
Width:
Outlet Channel:
Concrete chute with crest weir
6 metres
Gabion rock filled mattress channel
discharging into upper tributary of
Sarah’s Creek through the Cowarra
State Forest
Inlet Chute
Type:
Width:
Depth:
Length:
Outlet Tower
Type:
Access:
Outlet Pipe:
Concrete chute channel with energy
dissipation baffles
2.4 metres
0.75 metres
150 metres
Circular concrete tower (3.6 metres in
diameter) with vertical openings for
selective withdrawal of water
Steel walkway from main embankment
Steel pipe 911 mm diameter encased in
concrete under dam wall embankment
19

Acknowledgements
Booklet compiled by with input from:
Connie Chatfield
Geoff Chenhall
Janet Cohen
Michael Dibbs
Amos Donovan
Kim Freeman
Meredith Robertson
Murray Thompson
Photos:
Geoff Chenhall
Gordon “Squeak” McWhirter
Murray Thompson
20

Handmade lizard tiles by Frank Dargin.
Boomerang by Olga Davis.

HASTINGS COUNCIL
CNR LORD & BURRAWAN STREETS
PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444
PHONE: 02 6581 8111
www.hastings.nsw.gov.au
M&S OFFSET - WAUCHOPE - 38293/01/05