Kogan Solar Farm.

The project

Origin Energy’s Kogan Solar Farm Project is situated approximately 16 km southeast of Kogan, Queensland adjacent to the Darling Downs Power Station.

Our role in this project

Niche was engaged by Origin Energy to undertake a Cultural Heritage Field Assessment (CHFA) of the proposed solar farm location with representatives of the Barunggam People and the Western Wakka Wakka People. The work was undertaken to ensure Origin Energy complies with the statutory requirement of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (ACHA) and the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. In accordance with the ACHA, the project was assessed against the Duty of Care Guidelines and found to be a Category 4 activity requiring further cultural heritage assessment.

A physical inspection of the Project area was undertaken in March 2016. The inspection method was structured to cover as much of the ground surface as possible, focussing on areas that will be impacted by the proposed Project.

The survey consisted of walking straight-line, parallel transects within the Project area boundaries. During the inspection, all visible ground surfaces were inspected for cultural heritage material. Mature trees were inspected for cultural modifications (i.e. scarring). Site locations were recorded by a handheld GPS unit and all cultural material and landscape contexts were photographed. A description of the current condition of the Project area, including any visible and recent significant ground disturbance, was recorded.

A highly successful collaboration between Niche, Origin Energy, the Barunggam People and the Western Wakka Wakka People.

Results

During the inspection, a total of 84 Aboriginal cultural heritage sites of significance were identified. Of these, 80 were stone artefacts, two were relocation points and two were scarred trees. No historical heritage places, objects or features were identified during the field inspection. Discussions with the Aboriginal Parties identified that all sites had cultural heritage significance. No intangible/spiritual/non-physical places were identified.

The distribution of cultural materials suggested that past Aboriginal activities focussed on the hydrological features in the Project area, namely the tributaries of Braemar Creek. The presence of a scarred trees was indicative that these sites were a common feature of the cultural landscape prior to extensive clearance activities that took place during the past 150 years.