TOMAKIN residents are frustrated with the delay in re-opening a parking area at the boat ramp, after a small amount of fragmented bone was found there nine months ago.
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Officers were inspecting a recently installed water connection to the fish cleaning tables at Tomakin boat ramp in October when they noticed shell material in the water service trench.
They believed the shell could be part of a midden – an Aboriginal site of shellfish debris and other food waste accumulated over time.
During a site inspection from an archaeologist, a small amount of fragmented and weathered bone was found in an area nearby.
A grassed area at the boat ramp, normally used for parking, has been fenced off since the remains were found, including over the busy summer season.
An Office and Environment and Heritage (OEH) spokeswoman said advice was sought from the NSW Coroner as to whether the bone material was human, but the tests were inconclusive because of the “highly degraded condition of the fragments”.
“The Australian National University will conduct new analyses on the bone because it is important to clarify their origins before permanent measures are put in place to reopen the site while protecting its Aboriginal heritage values,” she said.
“We expect these results within a few weeks.”
OEH has indicated to council that a temporary solution can be put in place to reopen the site while the results of the analyse are received.
“This would involve laying a protective cover of geotextile fabric and a layer of soil over the site,” the spokeswoman said.
“A more permanent solution such as placing an asphalt cover would require an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit to be issued because major ground disturbance would be required.”
Council’s director of infrastructure Warren Sharpe said council was in direct liaison with OEH.
“The bones came to the surface through natural wear and tear, people parking in that area,” Mr Sharpe said.
“We need to determine, in association with OEH, and that conversation is going on right now, as to whether we do a temporary covering, or we do some more permanent covering of that area.”
He hopes to have solution finalised by the end of August.
Tomakin Community Association president Debbie Campion said the association supported the investigation, however a long time had passed without any resolution.
“It’s been over nine months since the fence was erected,” Mrs Campion said.
“The area is well used by boaters and visitors to the beach, and local residents are keen to see some action to reopen the area.
“While council has said they hope to have a resolution by the end of August, does this mean funding will be available to allow the reopening of the area?”
Tomakin resident Bill McKenzie said the fencing was taking away parking space for the tourist that visit the boat ramp.
“It is serving no purpose that we know of,” Mr McKenzie said.
“We have been given very little information about what it is and why it happened.
“We would love to have the fence removed and we would like answers as