Protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage
Cultural heritage
The Department of Transport and Main Roads recognises the significance of different cultures and the importance of managing Indigenous, historical, shared and natural heritage. This includes material remains such as:
- places and built structures
- landscapes and ecological communities
- documentary records and works of art and non-material culture such as religious beliefs and folklore
- ideas
- memories and skills
- practices.
Indigenous cultural heritage
Georgina River Bridge There are two major pieces of legislation that govern Indigenous cultural heritage in Queensland — the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003. Both are administered by the Department of Environment and Resource Management. The Acts recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the primary guardians of their cultural heritage.
The Acts contain Duty of Care provisions that require those conducting activities in areas of significance to take all reasonable and practicable measures to avoid harming cultural heritage.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has developed Indigenous cultural heritage policies and guidelines that complement the legislation.
These documents provide direction for:
- statutory obligations
- engagement with Indigenous people
- roles and responsibilities
- managing projects by incorporating processes for Indigenous cultural heritage into project management
- entering agreements with Indigenous parties
- a range of templates for use in development projects.
The department's policies and guidelines make a major contribution to the Queensland Government's initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The department has worked with Indigenous communities on many projects to deliver necessary infrastructure while considering important cultural considerations for the local community. One such project is the Georgina River Bridge where the Barkly Highway crosses a significant cultural area.
Historical cultural heritage
Deebing Creek Bridge Historical cultural heritage includes places and items relating to the occupation of the state by groups such as Europeans, Chinese, South Sea Islanders and other peoples. It may also include places such as missions, which have a heritage shared between these groups and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Historical cultural heritage also includes shipwrecks.
The main state historical cultural heritage legislation is the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, administered by the Department of Environment and Resource Management. It provides for the conservation of historical cultural heritage by protecting all places and areas entered in the Queensland Heritage Register.
The Act also regulates the discovery of historical archaeological artefacts and shipwrecks older than 75 years.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is responsible for a number of heritage-registered places, including roads, bridges, war memorials and other places throughout Queensland. One example is the former Deebing Creek Mission, near Ipswich, which was entered in the register for its historical significance to Indigenous people and its archaeological potential.
Approval may be required from the Queensland Heritage Council before undertaking work on these special places.
Cultural heritage general enquiries:
Environmental Sustainability Unit
Phone: +61 7 3032 3486
Fax: +61 7 3032 3415
Email: TMR.heritage@tmr.qld.gov.au
To access detailed maps of both cultural heritage and native title interests, visit the cultural heritage and native title entitlements page on the Department of Environment and Resource Management website.
