What is a cultural heritage survey?
A cultural heritage survey aims to identify and protect places of cultural heritage significance to the Traditional Owners (TOs) of a specific area. In collaboration with TOs, the survey assesses the cultural heritage significance of an area under Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tradition, custom or history. Management plans to protect cultural significant sites and areas are put into place before any activities commence on the land.
Cultural Heritage survey results for Crystalvale
A Traditional Owner-led assessment of Aboriginal cultural heritage on the land has been completed to identify and map sites or artefacts of cultural significance and inform the development of a management plan for carbon and cattle activities.
Findings
Facilitated by Umwelt and in collaboration with TOs, relevant sections of of open rural and pastoral grazing land in the Crystalvale property was mapped and photographed with certain flora and fauna found to have cultural significance to the Wik and Wik Way people, including endangered orchid and bat species.
Results
The survey has confirmed that proposed economic activities on the property are unlikely to damage or disturb the Aboriginal cultural heritage identified and there were a few key actions undertaken in collaboration with the traditional owners to ensure this including:
Realigning a boundary fence to ensure the continued protection of a significant cultural site on the Crystalvale property.
Creation of buffer zones around identified Sugar Bag trees.
Employing Traditional Owners as cultural monitors during dozer/tree clearing works and future activities.
