2023-10-02
The ACT Government will build two new huts in Namadgi National Park in remembrance of the heritage listed stockman huts destroyed during the 2020 Orroral Valley bushfire.
Minister for Heritage Rebecca Vassarotti said the new works will be built near the original sites of the Demandering Hut and Max and Bert Oldfield’s Hut, which are part of a heritage listing of Stockmen’s Huts in Namadgi.
"These new projects represent the relentless will of our community to rebuild in the face of adversity. They stand not only as a tribute to what was lost, but as a testament to the universalising nature of our shared heritage.” Minister Vassarotti said.
“Earlier this year, the Government asked the community for feedback on a proposal to build new hut structures near the original sites of the Demandering Hut and Max and Bert Oldfield’s Hut.
“More than 90 percent of the 800 responses agreed with the proposal, proving the historical and cultural significance of both these sites.
“To complement this, the Government will also be initiating a Historic Huts project which received strong support from 97 percent of respondents.
“The project will bring together family and caretaker site knowledge with built heritage specialist and archaeological investigation, to build a single archival record that communicates the story of each original hut place.
“As part of the Historic Huts project, we will be engaging with First Nations people to include their stories of culture and occupation in the interpretive designs and construction of the new sites."
Learn more about the Namadgi National Park Huts proposal and how the community had their say on the ACT Government’s YourSay project page.