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Aboriginal culture and heritage in NSW - legislative review and reform

Invitation to attend feedback forums

Community consultation workshops were held between October and December 2011 as part of Phase 1 of the reform of NSW Aboriginal culture and heritage legislation. A series of 11 forums are being held across NSW to provide feedback and further information on the NSW regime and a comparison with other Aboriginal heritage systems.

Feedback forums will take place at the following locations

Date	Venue	Time
June 5	Rooty Hill RSL, 55 Sherbrooke Street Rooty Hill	1:30 - 3:30
June 7	Yamaloong, 71 Prospect Road, Garden Suburb Cardiff	1:30 - 3:30
June 13	Nowra School of Arts, 12 Berry Street Nowra	1:30 - 3:30
June 15	The RB Smith Centre, 262 Crawford Street Queenbeyan	10:30 - 12:30
June 26	Coledale Community Centre, 2B Kenny Drive Tamworth	1:30 - 3:30
June 28	Coffs Harbour Ex Servicemen's Club, Vernon Street Coffs Harbour	1:30 - 3:30
July 10	Dubbo RSL Club, corner of Brisbane and Wingewarra streets Dubbo	1:30 - 3:30
July 12	Walgett District Sporting Club, Montkeila Street Walgett	1:30 - 3:30
July 17	Griffith Ex Servicemen's Club, Jondaryan Avenue Griffith	1:30 - 3:30
July 19	Bourke PCYC Club, Wilson Street Bourke	1:30 - 3:30
July 26	Broken Hill Musicians Club, 276 Crystal Street Broken Hill	1:30 - 3:30

The following Phase 1 feedback documents will be posted to the web shortly:

• NSW Aboriginal culture and heritage legislation reform 2011 - 2012 Phase 1 consultation - summary of responses report
• Aboriginal heritage legislation in NSW - how the Aboriginal heritage system works in NSW
• Aboriginal heritage legislation in NSW - comparing the NSW Aboriginal heritage system with other Australian systems.

For further information on the workshops please contact your local OEH Country Culture and Heritage Office

office location	contact number
Sydney	9585 6467
Griffith	6969 0718
Dubbo	6881 4609
Coffs Harbour	6659 8213
Queenbeyan	6229 7096

Reform of NSW Aboriginal culture and heritage legislation

Aboriginal culture and heritage provides essential links between the past and present. It is an essential part of cultural identity, connection and a sense of belonging to Country.

The effective protection and conservation of this heritage is important in supporting the right to the ongoing cultural self-determination of Aboriginal communities.

The commencement of a formal process leading to the broad reform of Aboriginal heritage legislation in NSW gained impetus from the passage of the National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act 2010 by the NSW Parliament in November 2010.

Consistent with the commitments made in Parliament, the Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Reform Working Party is reviewing options to report to the Minister for the Environment, the Minister for Heritage, and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, for potential stand-alone legislation. 

Goals of reform

• Recognise and delineate the role of Aboriginal people in the management of their culture and heritage as understood and culturally determined by them.
• Protect and manage NSW Aboriginal culture and heritage through a streamlined and flexible regulatory system.
• Link Aboriginal culture and heritage protection with NSW natural resource management and planning processes.
• Ensure effective mechanisms for the protection of Aboriginal culture and heritage with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all parties.
• Promote greater awareness and understanding of Aboriginal culture and heritage.
  

The current legislative regime

The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act), administered by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), is the primary legislation for the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage in NSW. Under part 6 of the NPW Act, the Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet is responsible for the protection and conservation of Aboriginal objects and Aboriginal places.

The NPW Act provides specific protection for Aboriginal objects and Aboriginal places by providing offences for unauthorised harm.

The Regulation of Aboriginal cultural heritage page provides further information about how the current regime operates.

Details about changes made to the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 in 2010 are also available.