The Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review

The Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) is currently reviewing the performance of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) (PDF, 649 kB)* and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) (PDF, 657 kB)*

• Review paper: Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review (PDF, 82 kB)*

All interested parties are invited to comment on the review in relation to:

• whether the legislation has done what it set out to do
• what is working well, and why
• what can be improved, and how.

Submissions close 28 February 2009.

Visit the Queensland Government Get Involved website to make an online submission, or post, fax or email your comments to:

Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review
Department of Natural Resources and Water
GPO Box 2454
Brisbane Qld 4001

Telephone: (07) 3225 2714
Fax: (07) 3405 6899
Email Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review

All submissions will be treated confidentially and must include the name and address of the person making the submission.

Background

The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the primary authority on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage—aiming to facilitate the continuation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, traditions and customs.

The Acts were introduced to replace the Cultural Record (Landscapes Queensland and Queensland Estate) Act 1987 and their efficacy and efficiency must be reviewed by early 2009.

NRW is reviewing the Acts to determine if they are working as planned and fulfilling their main purpose—that is, to provide effective recognition, protection and conservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.

Consultation and involvement

To assist and inform the consultation process, a consultative committee comprising the following groups has been established.

• Aboriginal Consultative Group—engaging Aboriginal interests in the legislation
• Torres Strait Islander Consultative Group—engaging Torres Strait Islander interests in the legislation
• Stakeholder Consultative Group—engaging other users of the legislation.

Further information about consultation activities will be available as the review progresses.

Further information

For further information, contact the Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review at the above address.

• Fact sheet: Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review (PDF, 51 kB)*

*Requires Acrobat Reader