PCCC becomes State’s 23rd cultural heritage body

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today congratulated the Port Curtis Coral Coast (PCCC) traditional owners on becoming the 23^rd cultural heritage body in Queensland.

Mr Wallace said the registration of the state’s newest cultural heritage body ensures a balance between tradition and progress can be kept in the growing Gladstone to Bundaberg region.

“The land of the Port Curtis Coral Coast people covers 19,279 square kilometres, stretching from Port Alma in the north to Burrum Heads in the south and Kroombit Tops, near Biloela, in the west,” Mr Wallace said.

“This region is undergoing major development, as the population continues to grow.

“It is essential we ensure the cultural heritage of this area is preserved during this period of immense growth and the Port Curtis Coral Coast Aboriginal Corporation is well placed to take on this role.

“PCCC are already active in the Gladstone region, assisting in monitoring developments on Curtis Island and the Wiggins Island Coal Terminal project – both located on their traditional land.

“These partnerships ensure the past is not lost as we build for the future.”

Mr Wallace said Queensland’s 23 Cultural heritage bodies work to identify the correct Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander party or family to talk for country and 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.

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 met with PCCC Chief Executive Brett Heath, while in Gladstone and Tannum Sands with the Premier, her Cabinet and the State's senior public servants for the Bligh Government's Community Cabinet.

"This is part of the Government's commitment to listening to Queenslanders concerns on their own home turf,” Mr Wallace said.

“It is part of taking on board their views as the Premier and Government plan for the future."

PCCC CEO Brett Heath said the organisation’s registration as a cultural heritage body had made a lot of his people feel as though their struggle had been felt.

“It may be a piece of paper to some people, but to us it is a piece of gold,’’ Mr Heath said.

“It is things like this that see a sparkle in the eye of our elders and encourages them to tell stories of their community.’’

Mr Heath said one of the main benefits would be the youth and elders now having a further sense of belonging, with formal recognition of their ties to the land.

“This places a sense of responsibility on PCCC to preserve and teach our culture to both our family and the wider community,’’ he said.

“Government, and non-government, agencies can now have some certainty in knowing they are dealing with the right people for the area.’’

Mr Wallace said Aboriginal Corporations officially registered as a cultural heritage bodies are able to apply for funding under the Queensland Government’s Cultural Heritage Bodies Grant Program.

Media Contact: Minister’s office – 3896 3689

December 8, 2008