Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p44
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 128936–132127

legal protection for sacred sites, defined as sites that are sacred to Aboriginals or otherwise of significance according to Aboriginal tradition. The Sacred Sites Act applies in relation to Kakadu except to the extent that it is inconsistent with the EPBC Act.

Values and condition

Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites:

    * represent a rich collection of sites that are imbued with strong spiritual associations including ceremonial sites, Aboriginal occupation sites, sacred sites, djang sites and traditional walking routes

    * include a great number of places with spiritual associations relating to creator beings that are connected to the continuing practice of traditional beliefs and religious practices

    * include some of the oldest known Aboriginal occupation sites in Australia

    * present a highly significant record of human occupation of a landscape that is rarely matched anywhere in the world.

    * The location and condition of many cultural sites is unknown. There has been damage to some recorded sites as a result of feral animals and visitor impacts (such as unauthorised entry).

Existing threats to values

  Loss of traditional knowledge (highly significant)
There are concerns among Bininj/Mungguy that many of the stories and knowledge of cultural sites are being lost. A breakdown in the transfer of knowledge between generations is contributing to this loss.

  Unauthorised access (highly significant)
There are strong concerns among Bininj/Mungguy about unauthorised access to sacred sites. This is particularly the case for djang sites and Sickness Country, where there are concerns about bushwalkers and fishers accessing closed sites.

  Feral animals (highly significant)
Feral animals can disturb and damage archaeological sites.

  Weeds (highly significant)
Weeds and other vegetation growing around and up through cultural sites can have an impact. Additional actions addressing weed and feral animal management are covered in Section 5.3.

Potential threats to values

  Climate change (highly significant)
Climate change is likely to impact on cultural sites in coastal and lowland areas through rising sea levels and saltwater inundation.

Actions

     5.1.12          Assist Bininj/Mungguy to access cultural sites in the park, to record cultural knowledge associated with them, and provide opportunities to pass this knowledge on to younger generations.

     5.1.13          Maintain and update the register of Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites in the park, including information on their condition, conservation works and associated cultural knowledge.

     5.1.14          Continue to work closely with the AAPA in park planning processes to increase the protection and registration of sacred and other cultural sites, recording and documenting information about them.

     5.1.15          In consultation with the AAPA, develop and undertake a programme of activities to address concerns about unauthorised access to cultural sites, including:

        (a)      reviewing and improving park protocols on access to cultural sites and the information about them where necessary, and manage sites, including Sickness Country, according