Divisions ~ Aboriginal Heritage Office
The Aboriginal Heritage Office serves a broad regulatory and land management role within the Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment for Aboriginal heritage places, landscapes and values.
The Office focuses on increasing the engagement with Aboriginal and non Aboriginal community organisations, through joint projects with community groups. The Office is also currently putting in place policies and administrative systems to meet high standards of Aboriginal heritage management, including developing budgets, project plans, forward planning documents, managing staff, and administrative services under the Aboriginal Relics Act 1975.
Another key role of the Office is to maintain a permanent record of identified Aboriginal heritage places as a vehicle for management, research, public interests and accountability, including maintenance of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Site Index.
The Office identifies Aboriginal places, landscapes and values, including developing management recommendations, and undertaking field and thematic surveys. These activities are closely associated with preventing natural and human actions from adversely affecting Aboriginal heritage places and values. An aspect of this task is undertaking cyclical and catch-up maintenance works.
A high level of importance is placed on working with the public and on conserving, developing and promoting the interaction of the public with key Aboriginal heritage places and values. Integrating the values of Aboriginal heritage with other community values is also a key focus, and this aim is furthered through the establishment of working partnerships with corporate and Government organisations.
For example, advising Government departments and external organisations of the appropriateness of mitigation measures for Aboriginal heritage prior to development and operational activities is a core role for the Office.
The Office also focuses on increasing the awareness of Aboriginal heritage values through education and interpretation projects, by developing interpretation, educational and promotional material on Aboriginal heritage. A strong emphasis is placed on the uniqueness of Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage and the importance of managing this heritage to ensure it is available for future generations.
The Office is pursuing a number of key objectives, which focus upon identifying, conserving and understanding Tasmania’s Aboriginal heritage. The Office strives to facilitate a community engaged and educated in Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage and develop policies and processes of the highest standards that are clear, equitable and accessible to all. The Office aims to foster sustainable management of Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage assets consistent with legislative and statutory obligations, along with fostering a skilled and motivated Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage industry.
Website:
www.aboriginalheritage.tas.gov.au