Canning River Regional Park - Department of Environment and ...

Part C Conservation
(1991). At the time of European settlement,
the Swan and Canning basins supported a
population of Aborigines. At least six family
groups are thought to have claimed territorial
rights to the land which is now the
metropolitan area. The wetlands were
important to Aborigines for food and materials
for shelter and artefacts. The Department of
Aboriginal Sites has identified an
archaeological site (S1989) within the Park.
Numerous other sites have been recorded
outside the boundaries of the Park. Other sites
may exist within the Park, so it is important
that people involved with park management
and the Canning River Volunteers (in liaison
with the Aboriginal custodians) should be
familiar with the identification of sites and
artefacts and be acquainted with the Aboriginal
Heritage Act 1972-1980.
STRATEGIES
1. Ensure that management
obligations are fulfilled
according to The Aboriginal
Heritage Act 1972-1980, before
any development takes place.
(CC and CALM)
2. Arrange for an Aboriginal site
study of the Park to be
undertaken and ensure
Aboriginal consultation is part
of the process. (CC and
CALM)
3. Incorporate information on the
Aboriginal history of the Park
into interpretive material where
appropriate. (CC and CALM)
19.2 EUROPEAN AND ASIAN
HISTORY
The objective is to protect and where
appropriate interpret European and
Asian historical features of the Park.
An Historic Survey of this section of the
Canning River was carried out by Richards
(1991) which " is not a history of the Park
itself but rather a guide to the reference
material and sources of information about how
the area now occupied by the Park was used
and settled in former times ".
This document makes fascinating reading and
provides ample material for the preparation of
interpretation material, park signs,
information displays and for the Canning
River Volunteers. The information served as a
valuable reference during the development of
the Recreation Development Plans.
A historic walk has been established in Adenia
Reserve which identifies a number of different
features in that area including a Sikh
Cemetery. Plaques associated with this walk
have been vandalised and need to be
maintained. An information shelter is in place
but requires information panels.
One prominent historic site with strong
associations with the Canning River is
Woodloes Homestead located in Woodloes
Street. The property is significant locally and
to the State. The homestead is owned by the
City of Canning and is open to the public.
With the rear of the property to be included in
the Park, a site plan is needed so that
connections between the homestead and the
river can be maintained. See also Section 26.
STRATEGIES
1. Continue to collate information
on historic sites located in the
Park and establish an archive of
visual and written material
including
calibrated
photography to be available for
interpretive use and
conservation. (CC, Historical
Societies and CALM)
2. Nominate sites for heritage
listing on either the Municipal
Heritage Inventory, or State and
National Heritage Lists. (CC
and CALM)
3. In accordance with the ICOMOS
Burra Charter, develop
management guidelines for any
historic sites in consultation
with other appropriate
conservation bodies, such as
the WA Museum, WA Maritime
Museum, National Trust,
Australian
Heritage
Commission and historical
societies. (CC and CALM)
4. Identify, and conserve or restore
important sites such as the clay
pits, old bricks and Sikh burial
ground in Adenia Reserve, the
tank stand in Ferndale flats and
the wharf near Wharf St. (CC
and CALM)
5. Where appropriate, incorporate
information on the European
and Asian history of the Park
into interpretive material. (CC
and CALM)
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