Bunjils 1

Bunjils Shelter

Responding to wildfire threats and measuring visitor impact- recording a much loved and visited site will help monitor its future health.


Client

Parks Victoria

Location

Western District, Victoria

Services provided

  • Archival photography
  • Rock art recording
  • Post disaster auditing
  • Conservation planning
  • Disaster Risk Management plans
  • Strategic and policy advice

This project involved the recording and photographic survey of a well-known, often visited and publicised Aboriginal rock art site in the Victorian western district. It was conducted as part of a ‘Future Directions Plan’ following wildfire in 2006. NOHC conducted an archaeological survey of the reserve, a baseline recording and condition report of the Aboriginal rock art and prepared a site monitoring plan to facilitate future condition monitoring. Our component of the plan was commissioned by Gondwana Consulting, on behalf of the proponent, Parks Victoria, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.

Wildfires have always been a feature of the Australian environment however, climate change outlooks predict more frequent and more intense wildfires in our future. Understanding the vulnerability of Aboriginal rock art and ensuring our management plans maximise resilience and mitigation is essential to safeguarding these irreplaceable sites. 

We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their many diverse communities across our nation and their rich culture. We pay respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s first peoples and as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and water across the Australian landscape and seascape. We recognise and value the ongoing contribution of Aboriginal people to Australian life and how their contribution continues to enrich our society.