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There is evidence of Yuin, Ngambri and Ngunnawall people using this area dating back 20,000. They used the area for shelter, food, water and used resources for tools and weapons. They used the land to meet and perform ceremonies. The London Arch features in the Dreaming. Some of the archaeological sites were destroyed during white settlement of the area, or by flooding over time. Aboriginal people used firestick burning to maintain the health of the grasslands and woodlands in the area. It cleared debris and space for plants to grow, encouraging diverse plant and animals in the environment.

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Settlers came to the London Bridge area in the 1850s with the first stone cottage built in 1860. The land was originally used farm cattle, but this was difficult and instead they farmed sheep and wool. Settlers cleared the land to establish farms, which provided jobs and money for people in the community. Settlers planted trees that were not native to the area and Australia.

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The Queanbeyan river catchment is managed by NSW government, ACT government and by local governments. The London Bridge Homestead is listed as National Cultural Heritage and the London Bridge Arch is of cultural significance. There are management plans in place for the Googong Foreshore area as it is an important water source for people living in Queanbeyan and in neighbouring Canberra. The management plan includes scientific, geographical and historical research to ensure the land is managed sustainably. It also includes local Indigenous peoples advice and land management practices such as firestick burning.

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While the river catchment is being managed under plans, there are still many environmental issues that effect the landscape. There are a number of vulnerable species of vegetation and animals in the area due to human impact on habitat and ecosystems. There are also invasive plants that have been introduced to the area, and pests in the landscape, including the river itself.

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Pomaderris and Dillwynia species

the Silky Swainson-pea and Australian Anchor Plant

White Box-Yellow Box (Box-Gum) Woodland

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Threatened and vulnerable animals in this environment

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Threatened and vulnerable animals in this environment

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one of the few remaining wild populations of the threatened Macquarie Perch in the Queanbeyan River

the nationally vulnerable Pink-tailed Worm Lizard

Rosenberg's Monitor vulnerable in NSW

the Hooded Robin, Diamond Firetail, Brown Treecreeper and Speckled Warbler, vulnerable in NSW

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Aboriginal peoples used firestick burning to manage the landscape. They made small patches of fire so that large fires wouldn't occur. Fire encouraged new plant growth which ensured food for animals. Fire stick burning cleared the leaf matter from the ground so that plants could grow and removed weeds, ensuring a diverse range of animals had food and a healthy habitat.

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Aboriginal people lived on and used the area for thousands of years, using the sheltered river valleys for shelter, grasslands and woodlands had resources such as food, materials for tools and weapons and medicine (ERM, 2008). The water springs also provided foods unique to this area including frogs, fish, yabbies, and turtles (xx).

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How did Aboriginal peoples interact with the natural environment as first inhabitants of this area?

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How did Aboriginal peoples interact with the natural environment as first inhabitants of this area?

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What was the impact?

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How did settlers interact with the natural environment in this area?

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How did settlers interact with the natural environment in this area?

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What was the impact?

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How are we managing the natural environment in now? 

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How are we managing the natural environment in now? 

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Is the river healthy?
Are we interacting with it sustainably?

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It starts up in the mountains and travels towards Victoria. It is part of the Murray-Darling basin.

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Queanbeyan was settled and built around the river. It provided water for the population. The Googong Dam and Reservoir was built to ensure a clean water source for Queanbeyan and for neighbouring Canberra. The Googong foreshores in a state park.

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People fish from the river, canoe and kayak, and swim. People gather on the riverbanks for social events.

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It has many animals that live in it or around it.

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It has many animals that live in it or around it.

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Fish, lizards, birds, mammals, monotremes. Splash the Platypus is famous at our school. Kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, platypus, possums, fruitbats, ducks, swans, water rats, insects, cockatoos, kookaburras, galahs, parrots, magpies, crows.

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The town centre is located on the river and many buildings and services are built on either side of the river. The Dam and Reservoir at Googong was built in xx and ensures that we have clean water.