Facilities to be removed at Kow Swamp

16 September 2019 - Media release

Campaspe Shire Council has approved the removal of outdated facilities on the Kow Swamp Lions Park site, including the toilet block, BBQ shelter and BBQ.

Mayor, Cr Adrian Weston said Kow Swamp, a large water storage area about 10 kilometres north east of Gunbower, has been recognised at a state and national level as a high value site with respect to Aboriginal cultural significance. It is located within the footprint of the area now registered to the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation.

“The site is of national and international significance as the largest burial site from the Pleistocene era, with found remains dating back more than 20,000 years,” Cr Weston said.

Campaspe Shire, as a member of the Goulburn Murray Water – Kow Swamp Land and On-Water Management Plan Implementation Group, is working very closely with key state government departments including Goulburn Murray Water Authority, North Central Catchment Management Authority and the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation to improve the management, protection and preservation of Kow Swamp.

“Through development of the Land and On-Water Management Plan it was identified that the varying water levels have impacted the land causing bank erosion and exposing burial sites,” Cr Weston said.

“This information would make it very difficult to secure both environmental and cultural permits to replace the outdated facilities.”

“Council has therefore approved to remove the facilities which have been out of action since early August.”

Campaspe Shire will continue to work with the Implementation Group to address the environmental and cultural degradation at the site.

The facilities will be removed within the next six months. A letter has been sent to the Leitchville Lions Club and Gannawarra Shire advising of the need to remove the facilities.