The Willandra Lakes Ancestral Remains Reburial Project proposal was open for public consultation between 1 November 2021 and 31 January 2022. The consultation has now closed.
The public consultation allowed the community to have their say on the proposal to rebury 108 Aboriginal Ancestors, including Mungo Man and Mungo Woman, at 26 sites across Mungo National Park and 4 Western Land Lease properties in NSW. The reburial project is the final stage in the return of the repatriated Ancestors who have been held in secure storage at Mungo National Park.
The proposed action was determined to be a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The controlling provisions are World Heritage properties (Chapter 2, Part 3, Division 1, Subdivision A, sections (ss) 12 & 15A) and National Heritage places (Chap 2, Pt 3, Div 1, Subdiv AA, ss 15B & 15C).
A notice was published in accordance with section 95B(2) of the EPBC Act that requires the publication of preliminary documentation following the consultation period.
The Willandra Lakes Ancestral Remains Reburial Project: Summary of public submissions contains a summary of all public submissions received and where relevant, how they have been addressed.
The application for the reburial project was approved on 31 March 2022 by the Australian Government under the EPBC Act.
Details of the process and approval are available on the EPBC Public Portal, search for referral number 2021/8951.
Background documents
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act referral (PDF 380KB)
- Attachment A (Part 1), Review of Environmental Factors: Willandra Lakes Aboriginal Ancestors Reburial Project 2021
- Attachment A (Part 4), Review of Environmental Factors: Willandra Lakes Aboriginal Ancestors Reburial Project 2021 – Appendices 3–18 (PDF 7.2MB)
- Attachment B, Determination letter: Willandra Lakes Aboriginal Ancestral Remains Reburial Project 2021 (PDF 70KB)
- Attachment C, Determination Notice: Willandra Lakes Aboriginal Ancestral Remains Reburial Project 2021 (PDF 140KB)
- Attachment D, Application approval under section 60 of the Heritage Act 1977: Willandra Lakes Aboriginal Ancestors Reburial Project (PDF 180KB)
- Attachment E, Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area Draft Plan of Management 2014 (PDF 3MB)
- Attachment F, Our Past Our Future, The Willandra Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area Three Traditional Tribal Groups Plan of Management 2004 (PDF 23.6MB)
- Attachment G, Key Outcomes Report, Willandra Repatriation Forum Mildura 2015 (PDF 1.5MB)
- Attachment H, Key Outcomes Report, Repatriation Forum Buronga 2016 (PDF 5.4MB)
- Attachment I, Key Outcomes Report, Willandra Repatriation Forum Buronga 2017 (PDF 4.5MB)
- Attachment J, Repatriation of Cultural Materials and Human Remains to Willandra: A brief review 2016 (PDF 13.9MB)
- Attachment K, Mungo Statement: Towards a Reconciliation 1989 (PDF 110KB)
- Attachment L, Willandra Lakes Region Aboriginal Advisory Group Research Code of Practice 2021
