Bligh Government grant helps traditional owners tap into technology

A Bligh Government cultural heritage grant has helped the Yumba Burin cultural heritage body set up its Central Queensland office.

The group has put its $10,000 grant to good use, purchasing new office and field equipment, including a laptop and GPS units, for its office in Springsure.

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said: “The Bligh Government is committed to helping indigenous groups preserve the cultural heritage of their areas.

“By providing funding assistance to Queensland’s cultural heritage bodies through the Cultural Heritage Bodies Grant Program, we are ensuring these groups can continuing to successfully run their operations.

"Funding provided under the program can be used for mapping programs, GPS, computers, or other items that are required to assist in the assessment and management of cultural heritage.

“With these important tools now on hand, I’m pleased the Yumba Burin cultural heritage body is now well placed to ensure the preservation and recognition of indigenous cultural heritage in the Central Queensland region.”

Mr Wallace said Yumba Burin became a registered cultural heritage body on February 13, 2008.

The role of cultural heritage bodies includes identifying the correct Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander party or family who talk for country and providing 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,’’ Mr Wallace said.

"This means that cultural heritage bodies are the first point of contact for land users in addressing their duty of care for cultural heritage.”

Yumba Burin chair Lindsay Black said the Bligh Government’s grant money had helped Yumba Burin set up its office and undertake business more effectively.

Prescribed bodies corporate that officially register as a cultural heritage body can seek funding under the Cultural Heritage Bodies Grant Program. For more information on the program visit www.nrw.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office – 3896 3688