Dharawal, Gundungurra groups say no to development on Appin Massacre land

The Dharawal and Gundungurra people are fighting back against potential plans to development the land their ancestors were slaughtered in a massacre in the 1800s.

Indigenous groups and First Nations families affected by the Appin Massacre in 1816 are opposing all development on the land where their ancestors were killed.

Local Dharawal man Daniel Chalker kickstarted a petition saying the area where a group of First Nations people were killed should never be built on after he found out environmental and cultural assessments were being completed by varying departments on the land.

The petition says all Dharawal and Gundungurra family groups “reject” all proposals and investigations by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW for future development opportunities.

“The broader community don’t know much about it so we’re trying to keep up with their planning and inform people,” he told the Macarthur Chronicle.

Dharawal and Gundungurra family groups “reject” all proposals and investigations by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW for future development opportunities. Pictured: Appin Massacre Ceremony at Cataract Dam 2021.

“With something like this, most of the community only find out when it’s approved and then it’s too late.”

Mr Chalker himself had ancestors killed in the Appin Massacre and says the land is very significant to Aboriginal people and their culture.

The Appin Massacre occurred in the early hours of April 17, 1816, and was the outcome of a military reprisal raid against Aboriginal people ordered by Governor Lachlan Macquarie.

Up to 14 Aboriginal men, women and children were killed when soldiers under the command of Captain James Wallis shot at and drove them over a gorge of the Cataract River.

“This was co-ordinated murder, ordered by Governor Macquarie with the express purpose to ‘rid the land of troublesome blacks’,” the petition states.

As a member of a Registered Aboriginal Party, Mr Chalker is often alerted when companies want to complete works on surrounding land.

Aunty Glenda Chalker at the site where the Appin Massacre took place. Picture: Robert Pozo

“We have raised concerns about this being a sensitive area but they are moving along with the assessment and there’s no mention on their part, which is pretty concerning,” he said.

“There’s other lands within that proposed area that they put forward that are state heritage listed and significant already.”

A spokesman for Wollondilly Shire Council said it was working with the State Government on the growth area to “make sure the voice of the community is heard”.

“Through this process we aim to protect what makes Appin unique so that the natural and historical assets that characterise the village are not lost,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment confirmed assessments were being completed on the land.

She said the department was not previously aware of the petition but “values and respects” Aboriginal heritage and culture.

“The site was identified in the supporting work undertaken for the Greater Macarthur 2040 Interim Plan and the Department is committed to further investigation to verify the site and measures for its long-term protection,” she said.

“As part of investigations for the structure plan for Appin, technical studies are being undertaken, and an Aboriginal Culture Heritage Assessment study will form part of this work.”

The petition has received more than 9900 signatures in under two weeks, with Mr Chalker saying it is a representation of people wanting to help where they can.

But he insists his main goal is to keep the community aware of what is happening and what is being proposed.

Mr Chalker said the land was culturally significant for not only Aboriginal people but also the history of colonisation.

“It’s still recent history,” he said.

“This is one of the last bases where our people were pushed to the extremities and murdered, so it’s relevant to us all whether you have a cultural background or are part of the community now.”

“A part of reconciliation is acknowledging what has happened in the past.”