Long before Comalco, long before European settlers landed in Sydney harbor, indigenous people, known in Australia as Traditional Owners, thrived on the lands where the Comalco Alumina Refinery is being built. In addition to protecting the natural environment, Comalco and Bechtel are taking pains to respect the cultural legacy.
Prior to any clearing and developing, the two companies worked in consultation with representatives of the Traditional Owners to identify culturally significant areas within project locations. The resulting Cultural Heritage Management Plan includes:
- Provisions for Traditional Owner representatives to undertake a detailed survey of significant areas before and after earthworks
- Protocols for handling archaeological material that may be unearthed during construction
- Cultural awareness training for construction employees
“The indigenous Traditional Owners have been closely involved in cultural heritage activities to ensure that areas to be disturbed are carefully inspected and to raise awareness of indigenous people’s culture, traditions, and history,” says Art Bursle, general manager of technology for Comalco.
