Appendix C - Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment - Peabody Energy

Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment
North Wambo Underground Mine Modification
Survey Unit 1
This survey unit was in the south western part of the project area and focused on the lower slopes directly
above the terraced area along the northern banks of Stony Creek, upstream from its convergence with South
Wambo Creek to the south of the project area. The north-eastern creek bank was terraced with a south
westerly aspect while the south western bank extended into a flood plain and gently sloping toe slopes.
The terrace lay just outside the project area boundary and there was evidence of repeated flood events in
the sediments along the creek bank. The area was inspected as part of a buffer zone around the project
area boundary. Wambo Site 349, an artefact scatter, was identified to the north west of the fence line and
was associated with a dirt access track. This site was within the project area but outside of the MA. Other
artefact sites within the project area but outside of the MA on the elevated banks on the northern side of
Stony Creek included Wambo Sites 49 and 50, which had all been previously registered on the AHIMS
database with the same AHIMS number (#37-5-0192). These sites were not within the MA and therefore
would not be affected by any potential subsidence impacts (MSEC 2012). Wambo Site 51 (also AHIMS #37-
5-0192) was situated just south west of the project area boundary along a creek bank. Two recorded sites,
Wambo Site 350 an artefact scatter located northwest of a fenceline and existing farm track, and Wambo
Site 355 an isolated find located on the creek bank were also outside of the project area and would not be
impacted by the proposed NWUMM. All these sites had been disturbed by previous farming practices
including fencing and dam construction works. There was also extensive sheet wash and gully erosion in
this area.
Survey Unit 2
This survey unit encompassed the low lying, open, cleared land on northern bank of Stony Creek close to the
confluence of Stony Creek with South Wambo Creek and the gently sloping toe slopes and the lower to mid
slope areas. No Aboriginal cultural heritage sites were identified in the low lying part of the survey unit
probably due to the high levels of disturbance associated with extensive land clearing and previous farming
practices, in addition to the marshy characteristics of the low lying ground. It was considered that there was
a low potential for subsurface artefacts to occur in this area. This extensive floodplain was marshy and was
intersected by a number of ephemeral drainage lines which flow into the high order creeks.
However, a number of sites were identified on gently sloping toe slopes and the lower to mid slope areas to
the north of Stony Creek and to the north of the flood plain. Sites identified included previously recorded
sites: Wambo Sites 45 (AHIMS#37-5-0293), 46 (AHIMS#37-5-0294), 47 (AHIMS#37-5-0192), 48
(AHIMS#37-5-0192) and Wambo Site 333 also known as HV 52 (AHIMS#37-5-0273). In addition to the
previously recorded sites, three additional sites were identified in the area, Wambo Site 354 (AS D) in the
disturbed soils associated with a small dam, Wambo Site 338 (AS G) in an erosion scour to the north of an
access track and Wambo Site 358 (IF Y) on the edge of an access track. These areas had been highly
disturbed by livestock, vehicles and works associated with fencing and dam construction and maintenance.
The majority of this survey unit comprised eroded, exposed soils.
Survey Unit 3
Survey unit 3 comprised the hilly, low lying crests, mid and upper slope areas in the central part of the project
area. The area has high archaeological potential due to its proximity to Stony Creek and South Wambo
Creek for procurement of resources and elevation above the flood plain. A number of previously recorded
sites were identified in this area: Wambo Sites 54 (AHIMS #37-5-0297) and newly recorded site Wambo Site
347 (AS H) (within the project area outside of the MA), together with Wambo Sites 57 (AHIMS #37-5-0300),
58 (AHIMS #37-5-0301), 59 (AHIMS#37-5-0302), 60 (AHIMS#37-5-0303) and newly recorded sites Wambo
Site 348 (AS E), Wambo Site 351 (AS A) and Wambo Site 356 (AS P) in the MA. Other sites in this area
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