FIRST CULTURAL HERITAGE BODIES FORMALISED FOR TORRES STRAIT

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today congratulated two corporations on becoming the first formally registered Torres Strait cultural heritage bodies.

Minister Wallace said the registration of the Torres Strait's Masigalgal and Dauanalgaw Corporations brought the total number of registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait cultural heritage bodies in the north to 13.

Mr Wallace today met with representatives from the Masigalgal and Dauanalgaw Corporations in Cairns to honour the registration of the two bodies.

"This registration is not just about forming two new bodies but about improving access to Government funding for regional people. This is one of the Bligh Government’s key aims under Towards Q2 - protecting our lifestyle and making sure our regions are properly resourced," he said.

"The role of cultural heritage bodies includes identifying the correct Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander party or family who talk for country and to provide certainty about how cultural heritage is managed on their traditional land.

"In addressing the management of their traditional lands, cultural heritage bodies can be involved in a range of activities such as site surveys, monitoring, development of cultural heritage management plans, cultural heritage studies and the recording of cultural heritage sites.

"This means that cultural heritage bodies are the first point of contact for land users in addressing their Duty of Care for cultural heritage. The area of land for a cultural heritage body is not limited in size or to a native title claim area."

Mr Wallace said there were numerous advantages for a prescribed body corporate that officially registered as a cultural heritage body, including access to funding under the Cultural Heritage Bodies Grant Program.

"Under this program the Queensland Government is offering registered groups funding of up to $10,000 to purchase equipment that will help them address cultural heritage issues.

"This funding can be used for mapping programs, GPS and/or computers, or other items that are required to assist in the assessment and management of cultural heritage.

"Last financial year NRW's Cultural Heritage Coordination unit processed $100,000 in grant money for seven cultural heritage bodies. I am pleased that the newly registered Masigalgal and Dauanalgaw Corporations will now be able to apply for funding under this years grant program and all future appropriate funding programs."

Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office, 3896 3688.