December 1999 David Rhodes, Taryn Debney and Mark Grist


Identified areas of potential Aboriginal archaeological sensitivity



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6.6Identified areas of potential Aboriginal archaeological sensitivity


Areas or landforms of potential archaeological sensitivity are those which are known to contain Aboriginal archaeological sites or which the regional data on site distribution suggests that buried deposits of Aboriginal cultural materials are likely to occur. These are shown in Figure 3. The assessment of land where sites are likely to occur is based on the distribution of known Aboriginal sites, surface visibility and land disturbance.

6.6.1Survey Area 1 – Stony Creek


Areas of potential archaeological sensitivity

No areas of potential archaeological sensitivity were identified in Survey Area 1.

Prior to European settlement of the Stony Creek area, it is quite possible that Stony Creek would have been frequented by Aboriginal people who were utilising the rich sources of food which would have been available there. However, the occupation and subsequent use of the area since European settlement for industrial and quarrying purposes would have disturbed any sites which were present there.

Background research into Survey Area 1 in Section 4.5.1 indicates that there may have been some less disturbed sections of Stony Creek. The section of creek west of Geelong Road was regarded as potentially having some less disturbed areas adjacent to the creek where Aboriginal archaeological sites might still be preserved. However, sites which might have been present such as stratified stone or faunal material, would have been disturbed by various other forms of disturbance such as drain excavation, bank straightening, excavation for industrial factories and deposition of fill adjacent to the creek banks, which were noted during the archaeological survey. These activities appear to have taken place at regular intervals, no areas of Stony Creek are considered likely to feature preserved, intact Aboriginal archaeological sites today.


6.6.2Survey Area 2 – Maribyrnong River valley from Braybrook to Maribyrnong


Areas of potential archaeological sensitivity

Many areas have been identified as being of potential archaeological sensitivity in Survey Area 2. These are defined in Figure 3.

In general, relatively undisturbed sections of the Maribyrnong River valley are considered to be of potential archaeological sensitivity for Aboriginal sites. Within the City of Maribyrnong, such areas only appear to be found within Survey Area 2, and might include the flood plain and alluvial terraces, valley slope and rim of the escarpment within the valley. In Survey Area 2, areas which have undergone major earth-moving activities such as storm water drain or building construction are unlikely to have any archaeological potential. Building construction is especially common on or near the escarpment, as the land is generally level and the location is preferred because of its proximity to the river. The escarpment of the Maribyrnong River valley therefore, has less potential to contain sites today.

Areas which have undergone minor disturbance should generally be regarded as having archaeological potential. Minor disturbances include:



  • bitumen path construction

  • pedestrian treadage

  • minor excavation for drains and dirt tracks

  • revegetation work

  • small scale earth moving, particularly over small areas

Today, Aboriginal archaeological sites are most likely to be found within the following areas:

  1. The linear municipal park running from the north end of Burke Street to the eastern end of the Medway Golf Club. This large area has a number of places which have been specifically identified in the ground survey as being of potential archaeological sensitivity (see Figure 3); which are:

  • The hill slope above site AAV7822/1091 (MRSAS-1) from which artefacts are likely to have eroded down hill

  • The hill slope and alluvial terraces between Butler Street and Cranwell Park

  • Cranwell Park (including hill slope, alluvial terraces and rim of escarpment)

  • Hill slope and alluvial terraces between Lacy and Evans Streets

  • Promontory north of Medway Golf Club

  1. The Medway Golf Club, particularly in areas closer to the Maribyrnong River where minor landscaping activities only have occurred (excluding excavation of bunkers and major earth deposition or removal)

  2. The Commonwealth EFM Facility and former explosives factory north of Raleigh Road and Cordite Avenue. Subsequent survey of this area in November 1999 has located an isolated artefact (AAV 7822/1119) on a north facing hillslope, immediately north-east of the stables. Archaeologically sensitive areas within the EFM and former explosives factories are considered to be;

  • Hillslope south of the ridgeline and south-east of the stables within the EFM factory.

  • North facing hillslope covering an area approximately 100 x 120 metres, immediately north-east of the stables and parallel with the former CSIRO factory.

  • Remnant alluvial terraces along the east bank of the Maribyrnong River and in the north-west quadrant of the EFM/former explosives factories.

6.6.3Survey Area 3 – Pipemakers Park


Areas of potential archaeological sensitivity

No areas of potential archaeological sensitivity were identified in Survey Area 3.

It is unlikely that any areas within Pipemakers Park might still contain Aboriginal archaeological sites. Prior to its present use as Melbourne’s Living Museum of the West, the land was used by the Melbourne Meat Preserving Company and Humes Pipe Works.

Prior to industrial use of the land, it is possible that Aboriginal sites might have been present, given the close proximity of the Maribyrnong River and its associated resources. The site prediction model outlined in Section 4.4.1 identifies the Maribyrnong River valley as an area of potential sensitivity for such sites. However, subsequent use of the land is likely to have disturbed any sites which may have been present. Background research (see Section 4.5.3) indicates that the swampy flood plain below the area used by Humes and the Melbourne Meat Preserving Company might still contain sites, although some parts of it were used more recently by MMBW to dump river sludge.

The ground survey demonstrated that this area is quite disturbed. The flood plain has been extensively landscaped and an artificial wetland has been developed. The river bank has been bituminised, widened and lined with basalt blocks. Grassed areas have been landscaped, lined with pedestrian pathways, and possibly graded and levelled. Any sites which were present would have been highly disturbed as a result of such activities and are very unlikely to still exist.

6.6.4Survey Area 4 – Footscray Park and Newell’s Paddock


Areas of potential archaeological sensitivity

Many of the areas inside Footscray Park appear disturbed. There are large sporting facilities in the northern corner and extensive tracts which have been landscaped along Ballarat Road. The flat below the park which was used as a garbage tip, and now comprises part of a bituminised road.

Newell’s Paddock has also suffered higher levels of disturbance on the flats, with the operation of a nightsoil depot there in the 1880s. Other areas of the park are unlikely to contain stratified sites, as landscaping and revegetation have affected large areas.

6.6.5Survey Area 5 –Red gums located between Londrew Court and Raleigh Road, Maribyrnong


Areas of potential archaeological sensitivity

No areas of potential archaeological sensitivity were identified in this Survey Area.


6.6.6Survey Area 6 –Red gums located between Bunbury street and Youell Street, Footscray


Areas of potential archaeological sensitivity

No areas of potential archaeological sensitivity were identified in this Survey Area.


6.6.7Survey Area 7 –Sandford Grove Park, Yarraville


Areas of potential archaeological sensitivity

No areas of potential archaeological sensitivity were identified in this Survey Area. This means that the potential for other sites to be located in the park is extremely low, given the high levels of disturbance.




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