Archeological potential paves way for heritage recognition

20 December 2010

A new archeological study suggests that Northeast Business Park is likely to be home to a range of valuable artifacts that provide insight into life on a 19th century sugar plantation.

An Archaeological Management Plan has just been finalised for the Caboolture site that will allow it to be recognised on the Queensland Government’s Heritage Register.

Some of Northeast Business Park’s 760 hectares have a rich and diverse heritage, with the site being home to a major sugar plantation, Queensland’s longest privately owned railway and the Levi Walker gravesite (full coroner’s report in Latest News).

Timeline Heritage Consultants’ report documents the site’s European history and highlights a range of identifiable artifacts.

It also points to possible existence of many more remnants of the sugar plantation established on the Caboolture River in 1866 and owned by prominent businessman and politician George Raff.

Raff’s plantation cultivated sugar cane and produced rum until the mid-1880s, after which the land was owned by Australian Paper Mills and then cattle and dairy farmers.

CEO Jeff Smith said Northeast Business Park was aware of the site’s heritage, and was excited that a full archaeological investigation would unearth more areas of historic significance.

“This is an extremely significant site because it is a confluence of the heritage of various cultures represented in Caboolture today.  The site has remained relatively undisturbed and in private ownership since the start of the 20th century,” Mr Smith said.

“The initial archaeological site assessment showed that the area has strong archaeological potential.”

Mr Smith said Northeast Business Park is committed to protecting all of the culturally significant areas throughout proposed construction and believes there is a strong case for area to qualify for the Heritage Register.

“A place on the Queensland Heritage Register will ensure the long-term preservation and protection of Caboolture’s history.”

The Timeline Heritage Consultants’ report will be submitted to the Queensland Government in early 2011.