This is the second of three reflections written as a set, for more start here. The prompt was “Take a moment to consider a culturally significant site near where you live.”
Copyright © 2017 Barangaroo Delivery Authority.
In this reflection, I focus on the Barangaroo Reserve, a land that was industrialised and stripped bare of its original standstone and any native flora. As stated by the NSW Gov Barangaroo reserve is "a concrete container terminal has been imaginatively reborn as a naturalistic rocky outcrop, sensitively landscaped with more than 75,000 native trees and shrubs." (NSW Gov Barangaroo.com Website, Accessed 2020, Emphasis Added)
The headland redevelopment itself is a significant change to the site; Though it is by no means a reinstatement of what had been their, being mostly a concrete shell concealing the 'cutaway' and a carpark, it is an acknowledgement of the countries character previous to colonialisation.
Formally, the Barangaroo Delivery Authority (BDA) have worked hard to integrate knowledge and history into the site, through physical plaques, events, and the name itself. Gaining its namesake from the "powerful Cammeraygal leader" Barangarooas stated by NSW Gov. BDA make a clear reference to Bennalong point, both to provide a name of significant Aboriginal history and for being her second husband (though significant in her own right).
"Highlights the role of (Aboriginal) land council... to ensure that the correct narrative is written about these sites." as stated by Nathan Moran during their interview. Aboriginal art and events are hosted on the site such as the Blak markets.
These efforts by BDA are are a good start, though the majority of the site is funded through the commercial developments nearby, it does set a precedent for recovering land 'lost' to industrialisation. It is not so much a reinstatement or making good, but rather a physical manifestation of the upheaval that had happened.
Going forward, Barangaroo reserve must maintain as Moran stated "the buy-in of the government" to ensure the reserve remains a well utilised public space and can perform as a platform for Aboriginal culture and events. For more specific an example, more art instillations such as Wellama, a video work installed at the site that reimagines a welcome to country is a great example of what should be one of many works funded and performed on or integrated into the site. Increased signage denoting local native flora, in the Sydney language would reinforce the land being a reference to what had been there.
The NSW Gov must ensure it is managed with local Aboriginal people, so that knowledge of the sites significance as well as the local culture it hosts are preserved and fostered for future generations.