Some Aboriginal cultural heritage places are of particular significance to Aboriginal people and the broader Victorian community, and require special protection. The Minister for Treaty and First Peoples is able to declare such places ‘protected areas’, to be protected and preserved for future generations.
Landowners and managers are also able to enter into voluntary formal agreements with a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) to manage and protect important Aboriginal places on their properties.
The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 allows the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples to make declarations, which preserve important Aboriginal cultural heritage places as ‘protected areas’.
There are two types of declarations — Interim and Ongoing Protection Declarations.
Interim Protection Declarations
The Minister for Treaty and First Peoples can place an Interim Protection Declaration over an area to protect it while an assessment is undertaken, to see if it needs permanent protection.
The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council (VAHC) or any RAP is able to ask the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples to make an Interim Protection Declaration.
An Interim Protection Declaration:
- Operates for 3 months (and can be extended only once, by a further 3 months).
- Prevents specified activities within that area while the declaration is in force.
- Applies maximum penalties for contravention of 1,800 penalty units for an individual; or 10,000 penalty units for a corporation.
After the assessment is complete, the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples may then decide whether the area warrants an Ongoing Protection Declaration.
Ongoing Protection Declarations
The Minister for Treaty and First Peoples may make an Ongoing Protection Declaration for an Aboriginal cultural heritage place or object of significance to Aboriginal people.
The VAHC or any RAP may ask the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples to make an Ongoing Protection Declaration.
An Ongoing Protection Declaration is a permanent declaration that:
- Protects the area from activities likely to harm its Aboriginal cultural heritage values.
- Provides for any necessary maintenance or management activities.
- Applies maximum penalties for contravention.
Cultural Heritage Agreements
A Cultural Heritage Agreement is a voluntary agreement between two or more parties relating to the management or protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage. One of the parties must be a relevant RAP.
Can the Agreement ‘run with’ the land?
A Cultural Heritage Agreement may be registered on the land title, if the landowner wishes to do so.
Do I need a Cultural Heritage Permit or a Cultural Heritage Management Plan for my activity if I make an Agreement?
A Cultural Heritage Agreement cannot substitute for a Cultural Heritage Permit or a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP). A Cultural Heritage Agreement cannot allow harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage, rather it can formalise the ongoing management of that heritage.
However, a Cultural Heritage Agreement might eventuate as a result of the preparation of a CHMP or Cultural Heritage Permit.
Example Cultural Heritage Agreement scenario
A landowner wishes to protect an Aboriginal stone arrangement on her property. She wants to ensure that the place remains protected into the future. She contacts the relevant RAP to discuss options, and the RAP suggests making a Cultural Heritage Agreement. The Agreement allows the RAP to have access to the place four times a year to conduct maintenance such as weeding, and to observe ceremony. The landowner has to ensure that her stock does not damage the place. Under the Agreement the landowner is to erect a fence around the place.
The Agreement is entered on the land title, and the Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet is advised of this when the Agreement is lodged. The Secretary then submits the Cultural Heritage Agreement to the Registrar of Land Titles, and the Agreement is attached to the land. Any covenants relating to the Aboriginal stone arrangement will then remain in place, even if the land is sold.
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