Box Creek Weir

Date: 2014 - Ongoing

Location: Kow Swamp, Victoria

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) engaged ACHM to complete a Complex CHMP for the Box Creek Weir replacement project in 2011. Following the approval of the CHMP, works commenced on site to replace the dilapidated 100-year-old weir. During very early works, human skeletal remains were discovered. ACHM were engaged to manage the sensitive process of community and government consultation with G-MW. Discussions were held over a 12 month period in order to fully and openly engage with the Traditional Owners and their wishes for the long term management of the remains. A comprehensive archaeological investigation and recording of the burial site were undertaken by ACHM and the Traditional Owners. The burial was found to be undisturbed, and archaeological excavation works were conducted in such a way as to ensure that the burial remained in situ. Freshwater mussel shell found in direct association with the remains was radiocarbon dated to 12,500 years of age, placing this burial within the Pleistocene age range of numerous other human interments fringing Kow Swamp.     

The Traditional Owners resolved that the remains should not be disturbed. G-MW and their construction partners subsequently redesigned the weir structure so as to avoid impacting the remains. The weir has now been constructed around the remains, which have been reburied in situ.