Cultural heritage registered areas
Each of the areas indicated has been recorded on the Cultural Heritage Register as part of the findings of a study undertaken in accordance with Part 6 of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003. The Register is intended to be a depository for information for consideration for land use and land use planning, and a research and planning tool to help people consider the Aboriginal cultural heritage values of particular objects and areas.
Under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003, important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander places can be listed on the Cultural Heritage Register.
The listing of important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander places:
- allows us all to appreciate, respect and enjoy Queensland’s unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage
- ensures that these important places can be fully protected against future harm
- provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are traditional owners of the area (the 'Aboriginal party' or the 'Torres Strait Islander party') the opportunity to be fully involved in the process of assessing their cultural heritage.
The results of the assessment are registered by the State so long as they are consistent with anthropological, biogeographical, historical or archaeological information.
Importantly, however, assessment of traditional/historical significance of cultural heritage is the responsibility of the 'Aboriginal party' or 'the Torres Strait Islander party'.
- Ban Ban Springs Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Area (PDF, 238K)*
Area description: Lot 13 on Plan MZ547 and attached map.
Story Place: A recognised dreaming Place formed by creator Spirits who brought the water to the Springs and the home to the rainbow Serpent.
Ceremonial Site: A sacred place tied closely with ceremonial activities that relate to birth, rites of passage and initiation that are conducted in the waters of the Springs and at nearby bora grounds.
(Report on the Cultural Significance of Ban Ban Springs November 2004J - John Richter, Senior Cultural Heritage Officer - Cultural Heritage Coordination Unit, NRW).
- Mount Mulligan Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Area (PDF, 113K)*
Area description: Part Lot 5112 on HG 843453
Ngarrabullgan contains the oldest known archaeological site in Queensland and one of the oldest in Australia (Ngarrabullgan Cave), one of the densest known concentrations of Pleistocene and early Holocene rock-shelters with cultural materials in Queensland and in Australia. It is to date the only example of a landscape whereby the history of Aboriginal spirituality has been archaeologically tracked back in time. It is today at the heart of Djungan country and cultural identity. Refer pp 13 – 39, Review of Scientific Research at Ngarrabullgan (Mt. Mulligan) and Statement of Significance.
(View of Scientific Research at Ngarrabullgan (Mt. Mulligan) and Statement of Significance, August 2004 - Dr Bruno David, Programme for Australian Indigenous Archaeology - School of Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University , Clayton, Victoria, 3800 and Dr Glen Ingram, Dr Mike Olsen and Gaven Renfrey - Biodiversity Assessment and Management Pty Ltd).
- Palm Island Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Area (PDF, 53K)*
Area description: Part Lot 38 on CWL 3324
The study area contains cultural and natural resources that are significant to the Manbarra Traditional Owners as a definite and tangible link to traditional and more recent aspects of their heritage. The area contains artefact scatters, shell middens, scarred trees and a dugout canoe. The sites all indicate a high degree of intactness and interconnectedness.
(Assessment of the Cultural Heritage values of a section of South Eastern Great Palm Island 2009 - Elizabeth Hatte, Northern Archaeology Consultancies Pty Ltd).
If you have difficulty downloading any of these documents, or would like a copy sent by mail, please contact:
Cultural Heritage Coordination Unit
Level 11 Mineral House
41 George Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
Phone: 07 3239 3647
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last reviewed 10 February 2012
Last updated 24 August 2010