Aboriginal artifacts have been unearthed near the Lake Wyangan shoreline during a council clean up of the area.
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While tidying remnants of the fish kill which occurred in May, Griffith City Council were hampered by soft soil and damp conditions on the eastern side of the lake, with led staff to grade a track adjacent to the shoreline.
This process raised concerns that the track may have disturbed existing Aboriginal artifacts, prompting Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council intervention.
GLALC consultants surveyed the track and confirmed the presence of artifacts, which has since led to remediation work being conducted to restore the track to its previous condition.
Applications for Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permits are currently being prepared, which includes further survey work to be conducted before the construction of wetlands and sedimentation traps at Lake Wyangan.
Mayor John Dal Broi acknowledged the importance of the discovery for the Aboriginal community and the history of Griffith.
"The utmost care is being taken to ensure all Aboriginal artifacts found at the site are handled respectfully," Mr Dal Broi said.
"It means that work on the sedimentation traps and wetlands will be postponed, but this is unavoidable.
"Council is working closely with Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council on this matter."
Mayor Dal Broi invited GLALC chairwoman Vickie Simpson and CEO Stephen Young to become members of the Lake Wyangan Catchment Management Committee on a permanent basis.
Both agreed to contribute to solutions for the lake through the forum, with Ms Simpson welcoming the opportunity to work with council.
"While I am disappointed the Aboriginal artifacts were disturbed, these will be reinstated in an appropriate location at the lake under guidance of the GLALC," Ms Simpson said.
"The CEO and I are pleased to participate as members of the Lake Wyangan Committee and provide input to development of the site, respecting over 40,000 years of Wiradjuri culture."
The Lake Wyangan Catchment Management Committee met on August 4 in conjunction with the GLALC, looking for a way forward in future development for the lake's infrastructure, water quality and Indigenous recognition.
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