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The debate over the fate of Barangaroo seems to be just heating up. Among the many issues – but one largely overlooked so far- is the impact on the indigenous heritage of the site. MARIE GEISSLER looks at this issue, along with a few others.

INDIGENOUS MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND CULTURE MOOTED FOR BARANGAROO

Barangaroo, which effectively bookends to the west the Opera House site of Bennelong Point, is Sydney Harbor’s most contentious development site. There is widespread public criticism, in particular from indigenous leaders that would rather see an indigenous museum for all Australians there, instead of what is planned. Barangaroo was named after the second wife of Bennelong. Through the patronage of Governor Phillip she learnt English, and was able to bridge the cultural gaps that existed between the white settlers and the Eora, the indigenous people of the Sydney area.

Barangaroo on the other hand was a ‘determined and independent’ Cadigal woman. Aborigine scholars claim on the state-funded Barani website, that she hated Europeans and was totally opposed to Bennelong's ‘conciliatory efforts with the European invaders and the Governor’. Aboriginal scholars claim she was against any form of negotiation and although encouraged to drink wine and dress in European garb she refused. For this she was violently chastised by Bennelong. Her hostility to Europeans was to eventually lead to her death. When about to give birth, Barangaroo wanted to use the Governors residence because she thought the hospital was a place of death. Using it was for her a way of connecting to country.

Highly respected Aboriginal/Kanak Elder and artist Shireen Malamoo, offers a powerful and insightful indigenous perspective. Commenting on the development in her 3 August 2010 Sydney Town Hall protest lecture, she said the hotel tower proposed represented a ‘phallic symbol of greed and kitsch with a vengeance’ and that ‘Barangaroo would mourn the killing of the water and marine life and the endless sea of plastics cause by the hotel development.’

She advised that in consultation with Aboriginal people, an indigenous inspired museum should be taken up as an idea for Barangaroo. She says, ‘….there is a need for a place similar to the Smithsonian National Museum of American Indians in DC: the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance; the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC. Grow up! This place must be in the Eora way at Barangaroo. ….’ Addressing the development authority that approved the development she said, ‘This is not your playground. We must have a legacy for all Australians.’ She went on to remind Australians that, ‘ Aboriginal people are still hosts – hosts of monumental forgiveness and nobility – and that it is ‘to our detriment’ that this is not acknowledged. She concluded, ‘This kitsch abomination on the harbor is not creating a space for people to live. It’s creating a commercial precinct. If the plan goes ahead it will create an unnatural population in a space that should be reserved for all of us. It must be inclusive space rather than an exclusive one.’

Supporting this, Indigenous business leader Warren Mundine said ‘It’s a timely and culturally transformational idea that needs support from the best minds in the country to ensure it happens.’

‘Barangaroo has witnessed thousands of years of our great Indigenous lifestyle and as such is a fitting site for a Museum of Indigenous History and Culture.’

‘Like the beauty of the beaches, forests, waterways and architecture that attract people to this country, a well designed museum that not only responds inspirationally to the site on this incredibly beautiful CBD location, but celebrates Aboriginal culture in all its greatness and diversity, would enhance the beauty of the city and represent a huge economic bonus to the tourist industry not only for the city but the state and nation.’

Alison Page, Trustee of the Australian Museum, board Member of the Museums and Gallery Association of NSW and Panelist of the ABC New Inventor’s program, says ‘It is timely that an Aboriginal debate on the Barangaroo development should take place as this site is of enormous indigenous cultural significance and should honor Indigenous culture with a landmark building. The debate will ensure that a culturally appropriate process will define the way forward.

‘The inspiration for such an institution should be the teaching of the history of Aboriginal land and human occupation through experientially designed spaces. We should take inspiration from the Americas and use the talents of indigenous architects like Dillon Kombumerrie to lead the design team.’ The Native American architect Douglas Cardinal designed The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington and the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. ‘Such a building would give indigenous Australians a sophisticated contemporary platform from which to engage with the cultures of the world.’

‘Interactivity and experiential spaces would be paramount in the design to ensure that the spirit of our storytelling is reinforced and there is an opportunity for our culture to evolve and grow.’

Roger Barrett, Australian designer for the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, identified by Time Magazine in 2010 as one of the Great Buildings Of the World, comments, ‘The stunning harbourside position of the Barangaroo site along with its strategic CBD location offers a wonderful opportunity for a Museum of Aboriginal Culture. It will give prominent visibility to the rich Aboriginal culture that has been part of the Australian landscape for over 40,000 years. Such a site demands an iconic building like Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim in Bilbao or Daniel Libeskind’s Jewish Museum in Berlin.’

The Lend Lease redevelopment accepted for Barangaroo, is a plan a which seriously contravenes the planning guidelines for the area. Under its terms, a section of the harbor will be infilled to create a 150 meter long peninsula and a 230 meter hotel tower which exceeds by 50 meters the prescribed limit.

Critics of the Lend Lease plan have been quick to deny that the infilling of Botany Bay for the third runway had set any valid precedent in allowing a developer such as Lend Lease to ‘privatize the harbor’ by building a hotel in it. They have also been less that impressed by the Lord Richard Rogers designed tower, dubbing it as an example of the worst of Dubai, ‘look at me’ architecture.

Defender of the project, Chris Johnson, chairman of the authority's design review panel, a former government architect, said the building had 'a good pizzazz about it', and while it was not good to fill in the harbor this project was 'the exception to the rule'. He said his approval was given on the basis that the building would be 'incredibly well designed and incredibly accessible to the public', and that it would include viewing platforms and a series of other public spaces that could be 'a bit like the Ivy in George Street'.

Warmly embracing the project, former Prime Minister Paul Keating, who has fought successfully for the northern headland to be returned to its pre-settlement shape says, 'The scheme is a scheme right outside the paradigm - this is what Sydney needs,' He continues, 'It needs to be grand to do the job.’ A view supported by many others who view the proposal as an ‘iconic design that the site deserved’.

It remains to be seen where the current controversy will lead for Barangaroo, and in particular, if in the final solution, a visionary building and precinct for a Museum of Aboriginal culture becomes a tangible reality.