Nihon University Newcastle Campus

Thanks for the opportunity to provide comment on the proposed Nihon University in Newcastle East. I have reviewed the associated heritage statement prepared by John Carr Heritage Designs. This document makes no reference to Aboriginal heritage nor does it refer to the City of Newcastle's (CoN) Heritage Strategy 2013-2017 or CoN's Aboriginal Heritage Management Strategy 2018-2021 (AHMS). The reader is left with the impression that the site's history began in 1821 when in fact it began some thousands of years earlier. Given that CoN has recently invested significant resources in successfully preparing a range of Aboriginal cultural heritage initiatives including the aforementioned AHMS and the gazettal of Aboriginal dual naming of eight land forms I would request that this significant omission be rectified and the heritage statement amended accordingly. There is an opportunity to tell appropriate stories of Aboriginal cultural heritage in the fabric of the proposed development so that we improve awareness of and respect for the Awabakal people's ongoing links to the land. Interested Aboriginal parties would be able to assist in this endeavour. Ian Rhodes 27 May 2019