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ARTICLE · 30 AUGUST 2023

What will the amended 1972 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act actually say?

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The Act has far-reaching consequences for all WA landowners of land greater than 1,100m² in size.

AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Murray Thornhill
Murray Thornhill
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The new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 (Act) will come into force on 1 July 2023, now being at the end of the 12 month transitional period from when the law was passed.

The Act is the result of bi-partisan parliamentary recommendations following what many agree is WA's history of a lack of care for and destruction of aboriginal cultural heritage. The most notable example is probably the recent destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters.

The Act has far-reaching consequences for all landowners in Western Australia of land greater than 1,100m2 in size. For example, from 1 July 2023, if you are:

  • a residential landowner, intending to dig a hole on your land and your land is more than 1,100m2 in size; or

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