Lower Eyre Council (council) invites expression of interest from qualified Archaeologists to provide advice on and observe all ground disturbing works with in the Poonindie Cemetery.

Project details and History

In 2021, council established a 'Working Group' to assist in the development of plans for minor improvements to the Poonindie Cemetery. While a closed Cemetery, the Cemetery's association with the Poonindie Mission and the Indigenous Community make the site one of important historical value.

The cemetery is a determined Aboriginal site recorded on the Attorney-General’s Department, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (AAR’s) central archives as site 6028-1332 given its significance to Aboriginal history. As part of the development of the plan, the Working Group engaged Chantal Wight, Heather Burke and Ian Moffat from the Flinders University Archaeology Department to undertake a survey using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), to assess disturbances in the ground that could indicate the location of gravesites. The results suggest that there are 92 possible unmarked graves in the study area.

The survey was undertaken to provide assurance to the Working Group and AAR and State Heritage and place Council in the best possible position to avoid interfering with any remains, during the planned ground disturbing works. After lodging a request for authorisation with AAR, Council was granted an authorisation under Sections 21 and 23 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 to undertake the following project activities:

 Removing existing cemetery perimeter fencing

 Construction a new rabbit-exclusion fence alone the cemetery perimeter

 Creating a new gravel parking area and access track

 Installing a shelter, bench seats, and information signs

 Planting native trees

 Repairing warrants and depression

 Laying gravel to define designated walking paths and to delineate potential unmarked graves

Scope of works and requirements

As part of AAR’s Authorisation, it has been strongly encouraged and recommended that Council engage an Aboriginal representative to observe all ground disturbing activities. Council have determined that having more than one person available as a representative will lessen the burden on one individual, therefore multiple persons may be engaged under this Expression of Interest process.

Preference will be given to local Aboriginal persons due to travel / logistical limitations and to those individuals with an interest in, or connection to the cemetery.

The successful applicant/s must be willing to undergo a legislative awareness and heritage identification training session which will be facilitated by council in conjunction with AAR.

The successful applicant must also be willing to attend site at times arranged by Council (with notice). While Council will endeavour to align the work to occur on the same day, it is foreseeable that various aspects of the work may occur at different times / dates, depending upon the availability of council staff, contractors or the Archaeologist who will be on-site of ground disturbing works (further condition of the Authorisation).

A full copy of the authorisation outlining the conditions has been attached to this EOI to ensure the persons engaged understand and accept the breadth of the work required

Expressions of interests can be submitted electronically or hard copy using the below details.

Attention to Sacheen Hopewell

Director Corporate Service & Community

PO Box 41

Cummins SA 5631

Email: mail@lec.sa.gov.au

If you require further information or have any enquiries in relation to the EOI, please contact

Council on 8676 0400.