Joint media release: More than $3 million to better protect Australia's First Nations cultural heritage values

Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
Senator The Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians

The Albanese Government is delivering more than $3 million to better identify and protect First Nations cultural heritage values at existing World and National Heritage listed places.

While many iconic heritage sites are listed for their natural, cultural or historic value, First Nations cultural heritage values have long been under-represented.

The Albanese Government is committed to changing this – kickstarting 17 new projects in the second round of the $5.5 million First Nations Heritage Grants Program – helping to manage and protect the unique First Nations cultural heritage values at some of our most special places.

The program aims to support on-Country projects where First Nations people will lead the identification, assessment, recording and protection of First Nations cultural heritage.

Under Round 2, projects in Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia have been awarded up to $250,000 to carry out work at the World and National Heritage listed sites.

In WA, $200,000 is being invested to support the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation to identify and document First Nations cultural heritage values in Sea Country in the West Kimberley National Heritage-listed place. Project activities include technical workshops, facilitating knowledge transfer between elders and young people and the documentation of cultural sites.

In NSW, the Yanama Budyari Gumada Aboriginal Corporation will receive $250,000 to identify, document and protect previously unrecorded First Nations cultural heritage values at Mount Hay, located within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The work will be undertaken through a collaboration between Dharug Elders and archaeologists.

In QLD, the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC will receive $250,000 to identify new First Nations cultural heritage values at the Riversleigh World Heritage Area. Project activities include the collation and analysis of existing cultural heritage research, engagement and consultation with senior Waanyi knowledge holders, with the option for adding cultural values to the Riversleigh listing.

The First Nations Heritage Grants Program is an important part of the Albanese Government’s 2022 election commitment to add Indigenous cultural heritage values to World Heritage and National Heritage listed places.

There are currently 124 places included on the National Heritage List and 21 on Australia’s World Heritage List.

Further information and a full list of grant recipients can be found here.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:

“Australia is home to one of the oldest continuing cultures on Earth and it is important that we continue to recognise the value of First Nations heritage in Australia.

“This program improves the way we protect our listed First Nations heritage places and provides an opportunity to identify Indigenous values across other World and National Heritage listed sites.

“It is critical Traditional Owners are supported to lead work to identify and record these First Nations heritage values, so future generations can engage and learn about our rich history.

“This funding is just one part of the work the Albanese Government is doing to better protect heritage sites in partnership with communities across the country.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:

“The Albanese Government is committed to strengthening the recognition of First Nations cultural heritage values at existing World and National Heritage listed places.

“That’s why we are providing more than $3 million to identify and preserve the First Nations cultural heritage values of both Land and Sea Country for future generations.

“Our country is rich in natural and culturally significant locations for First Nations people which need our protection, and we are proud to be working with Traditional Owners at these special places to make this happen.”