Working with Aboriginal people
Aboriginal People, the Environment and Conservation Principles and Working to Protect Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Guide
The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) developed a statement of five principles to guide the inclusion of the rights and interests of Aboriginal people into its work. The statement of principles, Aboriginal People, the Environment and Conservation (APEC), support OEH and Aboriginal people in jointly and openly identifying the level of involvement that Aboriginal communities would like in OEH's environmental management and conservation activities.
These Principles are a statement about how the Office will involve Aboriginal peoples in decisions about natural and cultural resource management. One of the most important parts of this statement is that it acknowledges the inseparable connection that Aboriginal peoples have with land, waters and natural resources.
As a land and water management agency, OEH has a special responsibility to acknowledge the positive effects that connection to Country has for Aboriginal peoples. Working to Protect Aboriginal Cultural Heritage is a document that elaborates on the implementation of the APEC principles and provides guidance for OEH staff when they conduct business with Aboriginal people. They apply only within the current legislative framework and to the areas over which OEH has control.
The Working To Protect Aboriginal Culture and Heritage guide describes OEH's commitment to the five APEC principles:
Further Information:
APEC Principles (APECPrinciples.pdf, 248KB)
Working To Protect Aboriginal Culture and Heritage (110760ProtACH.pdf, 1.5MB)
For further information contact OEH on (02) 9995 5000.
Page last updated: 07 March 2013
