Australian heritage law facts for kids
Australian heritage laws are like special rules that help protect important places and objects across the country. These laws exist at the national level (for all of Australia) and also in each state and territory, like New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
Generally, there are two main types of heritage laws. One set of laws protects the cultural heritage and sacred sites of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Another set of laws protects historical places and objects that came after European settlement. Local councils also have rules to protect heritage through their planning.
Contents
Why Heritage Laws Matter
These laws help us protect, save, share, and teach others about Australia's amazing natural places, cultural traditions, and historical sites. They make sure these important parts of our past and present are kept safe for future generations.
National Heritage Protection
Australia's national government has laws to protect heritage that is important to the whole country.
Protecting Indigenous Heritage
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 is a law that allows the Australian government to step in and protect areas and objects that are very special to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This helps keep their cultural heritage safe.
Protecting Natural and Historic Places
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 protects places that are important globally (like World Heritage sites), nationally, and those owned by the Australian government (Commonwealth Heritage).
- The Commonwealth Heritage List includes places like old telegraph stations, defence sites, lighthouses, and important government buildings such as Parliament House.
- The Australian National Heritage List includes natural areas, historic buildings, and Indigenous places that are super important to Australia's story.
Caring for Our Natural Environment
The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) was started in 1997. Its main goal is to look after Australia's natural environment. Money from the NHT helps fund projects that protect the environment, support sustainable farming, and manage natural resources. Community groups often receive funding for these projects. As of 2020, the NHT helps fund the National Landcare Program, which supports people caring for the land.
Other National Laws for Indigenous Heritage
Other national laws that help protect Indigenous cultural heritage include:
- Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976
- Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986
- Native Title Act 1993
State and Territory Heritage Protection
Each state and territory in Australia also has its own laws to protect heritage within its borders.
New South Wales Heritage Laws
New South Wales (NSW) laws aim to save and manage the state's cultural and natural heritage. This includes places, objects, and features that are important for their culture, science, architecture, or social meaning, including those important to Aboriginal peoples. These laws also help people learn about and appreciate these special places.
- The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and its updates help protect natural areas and wildlife. It also allows for Aboriginal ownership of land that is culturally important.
- The Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) helps protect environmental heritage items across the state.
- The State Heritage Inventory is a big list of heritage items in NSW. It includes Aboriginal Places, items on the State Heritage Register, and items important to local councils.
Northern Territory Heritage Laws
The Northern Territory Heritage Register is an official list of protected places in the Northern Territory. It is managed under the Heritage Act 2011 (NT).
Queensland Heritage Laws
The Queensland Heritage Register is an official list of places in Queensland that are protected by the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. The Queensland Heritage Council looks after this register. Local councils in Queensland, like the Brisbane Heritage Register, also keep their own lists of local heritage sites.
- The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 was passed in Queensland to protect all Aboriginal heritage across the state, even if it wasn't officially listed before.
- There is also the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 for Torres Strait Islander heritage.
South Australia Heritage Laws
The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 in South Australia aims to protect and save the state's Aboriginal heritage. This law protects all Aboriginal heritage, whether it's on a register or not. It also created an Aboriginal Heritage Committee made up of Indigenous people to advise the government.
Tasmania Heritage Laws
Tasmania's Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995 helps protect and save places that are important for their historic cultural heritage. This law created the Tasmanian Heritage Council and the Tasmanian Heritage Register.
Victoria Heritage Laws
Victoria has laws to protect both Aboriginal and historical heritage.
- The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 protects all culturally significant Aboriginal sites and objects in Victoria. It also set up the Aboriginal Heritage Council, which works with major Aboriginal communities (called Registered Aboriginal Parties) to guide heritage protection.
- The Heritage Act 2017 protects historical places and objects. It created a Heritage Council and the Victorian Heritage Register, which lists important places in Victoria. This Act also protects archaeological sites and objects older than 50 years, and historic shipwrecks.
- The Planning & Environment Act 1987 also helps protect heritage by allowing local councils to list important places in their planning schemes.
Western Australia Heritage Laws
In Western Australia (WA), the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 protects Aboriginal heritage sites and objects.
See Also
