COM: Seaford Rail Extension | $291m | 5.5km

[skyliner]

Why was'nt something said during the one year opportunity for public consultation I ask. Bit like the secret women's business of Hindmarsh Is. (known about all over Aust.). Seems odd that this issue NOW comes up.

SA - STATE ON THE MOVE

[Will]

Why was'nt something said during the one year opportunity for public consultation I ask. Bit like the secret women's business of Hindmarsh Is. (known about all over Aust.). Seems odd that this issue NOW comes up.

SA - STATE ON THE MOVE

My thoughts exactly. If the area where the bridge will be built was sacred, then why have they just realised it?

[The Scooter Guy]

Construction should begin 'bout soon!
Everyone will do their best not to ruin the sacred areas of the 'Woman's River'!

[drsmith]

It's nothing more than an argument over the amount on the cheque.

[The Scooter Guy]

Kaurna threat to sue over rail extension:
The Kaurna National Cultural Heritage Association will take legal action against the State Government if approval is given for ancient Aboriginal sites to be destroyed to make way for the Seaford rail extension.
The association says a 1.2km rail bridge over the Onkaparinga River a vital part of the $291 million project will damage sites more than 30,000 years old, including an ancient women’s camp.
Chairwoman Lynette Crocker told the Southern Times Messenger last week the Kaurna traditional owners had advised the Transport Department they were not authorised to damage any Aboriginal sites along the rail corridor.
She said the association would take legal action if works proceeded.
“Obviously, the best option would be to renegotiate an alternative,” Ms Crocker said. “We just want this put right people should see what they’re doing is a mistake and try to rectify it. That’s what reconciliation is all about.”
Under Section 23 of the State Aboriginal Heritage Act, the Transport Department has applied to the Aboriginal Affairs Minister for approval to disturb Aboriginal sites, objects or remains along the rail corridor.
“We’ve been trying to register the Onkaparinga River (Ngankiparringa) as a sacred site but they’re treating us like the enemy,” Ms Crocker said.
“We’re talking about major, major sites and whether they’re registered or not they still have that significant heritage.”
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Grace Portolesi said the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee met to discuss the issue on Friday, March 26. “I have been advised that I will be receiving their advice soon and will then consider it before taking any further steps,” she said.
Early works on the 5.5km extension have already begun, with the first sod turned at the site of the Goldsmith Drv road bridge last month.
Major design and construction works, including the rail bridge, are expected to start in September and train services to Seaford will be operating by 2013

[The Scooter Guy]

From RailSA.org:
The Kaurna community is calling on the Federal Government to stop the Seaford rail extension, after approval was given at the state level for the $291 million project to proceed.
Elders from the Kaurna Nation Cultural Heritage Association want Federal Heritage Minister Peter Garrett to intervene to protect ancient Aboriginal sites along the rail corridor.
“Having to prove once again our heritage, our existence and who we are is the lowest of lows,” association chairwoman Lynette Crocker said. “We are really devastated – it seems there is no respect for Aboriginal culture.”
The Southern Times Messenger first reported in March calls by the Kaurna people for an alternative route for the rail extension because of sacred Aboriginal sites along the Onkaparinga River.
State Aboriginal Affairs Minister Grace Portolesi last week authorised the Transport Department to go ahead with the project, which includes a 1.2km rail bridge over the river.
Ms Crocker said the association would try to evoke the Federal Aboriginal Heritage Protection Act as well as dispute the State Government’s decision in court.
“There is a very ancient women’s site in that area and I thought in the spirit of reconciliation there might be a window of opportunity to protect it. But we were never even given the opportunity to negotiate any other options.”
Transport Minister Patrick Conlon last year applied to the Aboriginal Affairs Minister, under Section 23 of the State Aboriginal Heritage Act, to disturb Aboriginal sites, objects or remains along the 5.5km rail corridor.
Ms Portolesi, who recently took over the portfolio from Jay Weatherill, said she made her decision based on consultation with the Kaurna community and advice from the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee.
She said she expected some “disagreement” but every effort would be made to respect Aboriginal culture throughout the works.
Transport Department spokeswoman Bobbie-Jean Stevens said an Aboriginal Heritage Plan was being developed for the project, which would include using Kaurna monitors, stop-work procedures for the discovery of significant items and Kaurna place names, artwork and cultural mapping for the Onkaparinga Estuary.
Mr Garrett’s office could not be contacted before the Southern Times Messenger’s deadline.
Major design and construction works, including the rail bridge, are expected to start in September and train services to Seaford will be operating by 2013.

[Xaragmata]

Goldsmith Drive bridge, Thursday:













http://xaragmata.dyndns-web.com/album/r ... index.html

[rhino]

I'm assuming the extension is going to be dual track?

[The Scooter Guy]

First pics of construction! Hoping there will be no protests from the Aboriginal people!

[skyliner]

I'm assuming the extension is going to be dual track?

As far as I know it is. V poor if not. Got to check on this again myself for more info though.

SA - STATE ON THE MOVE

[AtD]

Much appreciated Xaragmata!

[Xaragmata]

I'm assuming the extension is going to be dual track?

As far as I know, yes. The bridge will easily accommodate two tracks.

[Norman]

The line will definitely be double track all the way to Seaford.

[iTouch]

why is it still considered "proposed", judging from the pictures, it looks like it'd be "approved" now.

[AtD]

why is it still considered "proposed", judging from the pictures, it looks like it'd be "approved" now.

Well spotted.