They are calling for far greater scrutiny of the 34-lot residential subdivision, proposed for 20 Forbes Street. Consultants, Laterals Planning, has lodged the development application on behalf of a client who wants to subdivide the land, immediately north of the historic Lansdowne Park Estate, into lots ranging form 700 square metres to 1.13 hectares. The development, on R2 - low density and RU2 rural landscape land, adjoins housing to the east and north.

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The application has substantially changed a 30-lot subdivision approved on the site in 2013. The proposal also includes six duplexes and a ring road with access from Hercules, Emma and Leeson Streets.

Emma Street resident of five years, Marion Chaaya said neighbours opposed it then with a petition. She told The Post that Eastgrove residents had previously found Aboriginal artefacts in the general area. An Aboriginal camping ground and a burial ground were also located on a hill above the Lansdowne Park homestead, and a now destroyed bora ring, or ceremonial site was nearby, a 2012 heritage study stated.

"I think that what was once a rich area for Aboriginal cultural heritage has been buried," she said.

"One of the bora rings is now a carpark. A women's ceremonial circle has been built over (by All Saints Church in Emma Street) and a site marked as significant on this plan has a house proposed over it. I just think what's the point? We are the first inland city and I don't believe this heritage is being valued enough."

Ms Chaaya has lodged an objection requesting a more thorough Aboriginal heritage assessment, given it was part of the 1825 Lansdowne Estate before its subdivision. Lansdowne was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999.

The consultants acknowledge the adjoining Heritage Conservation Area but state that the "status of any heritage item on the property (subdivision) is not clearly identified."

"However it is clear that (Goulburn Mulwaree) Council considered the heritage values of the property when development and title change was undertaken," a statement of environmental effects stated.

The Pejar Local Aboriginal Land Council (Pejar LALC) undertook a brief cultural heritage as part of the DA in 2019. It identified evidence of Aboriginal land use at two sites near three proposed lots. Four stone artefacts were found.

The report also noted that Aboriginal sites had been located on the nearby Tall Timbers subdivision (in 2004) and that an area within Lansdowne Estate was a burial ground.

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The study recommended all future landowners be informed that "there are Aboriginal artefacts located within their property and that they have been recorded and protected."

Further, an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit must be obtained from the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) before any works commence. A Pejar LALC representative must also be onsite during any earthworks near the registered sites.

Importantly, if any previously undetected Aboriginal site or relic is found during activities, work must stop and advice sought on appropriate action from OEH and Pejar LALC.

But Mulwaree Aboriginal Community Inc public officer and Ngunnawal woman, Jennie Gordon said more investigation was needed. The group has lodged an objection to the DA.

"Twenty Forbes Street was a part of the Lansdowne Park Estate," she said.

"It is well documented that Lansdowne Park is the last place our Aboriginal people camped and lived after colonisation and that was because the estate's owners enabled it."

Mrs Gordon said it was also well known Ngunnawal and Gundungurra country.

A 2012 Goulburn Mulwaree Aboriginal heritage study stated that Gundungurra Burra Burra clan chief 'Kugolgon,' and other Aboriginal people were known to have been buried in raised graves on the hill to the east of Lansdowne homestead.

Writing in 1907, historian Charles Macalister also described it as a burial place.

Mrs Gordon said while it wasn't the subject land, it was all part of the original Lansdowne estate.

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"So there would be artefacts on that land and if we are looking for them after the event, how can we do that if May Street is an example of what we can expect?" she said.

Mrs Gordon was referring to heavy clearing on the site of a 28-lot residential subdivision in May Street. Torrential rain has washed large amounts of topsoil into the wetlands below in recent months.

The 2012 heritage study also found that artefacts were most likely to be found "on gentle, well-drained lower slopes within 100m of water." The Mulwaree Ponds is opposite the Forbes Street site.

In addition, the study reiterated that 298 stone artefacts were identified during an archaeological survey of the Tall Timbers subdivision, to the northeast of Landsdowne Park in 2004.

"It was recommended that the surface artefacts be collected and a sample of the sub-surface artefacts salvaged through excavation," the authors stated.

"This is one reason that this area was identified as culturally sensitive during consultation for this study, and it is believed that further archaeological material may be present in the immediate locality."

The 48-lot Tall Timbers estate was approved in 1988 but the artefacts only discovered in 2004, when work was in its final stages. Numerous lots had already been sold and the council asked owners to each pay a $1250 fee to cover archaeological work.

Mrs Gordon would like to see OEH involved in the Forbes Street DA's assessment. Like Ms Chaaya, she believes it is an integrated development, requiring OEH's concurrence.

But the application states the development will have "minimal impact on heritage conservation" and that mitigation measures will be implemented during construction. The report says only NSW RFS and Water NSW concurrence is required.

Laterals Planning director Keith Allen said it was inappropriate to comment in detail before the council assessment. However he recommended people provide their feedback to the planning department.

"All referrals and consultation with government agencies are a matter for the council and aren't determined by the applicant," he said.

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The council's environment and planning director, Scott Martin, said submissions only closed on January 19. Staff would assess whether it was integrated development, requiring OEH concurrence, and if so, would refer it accordingly.

Ms Chaaya says she loves the area and its rich flora and fauna. She lamented 'destruction' of the wildlife corridor from clearing below Rocky Hill.

"I moved here because of the beauty," she said.

"Development has to happen but we also have this beautiful heritage. Goulburn has so much going for it with its history and it would be a shame to see it destroyed."

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