Queensland

From April 2020 to June 2024, 79 cultural heritage management plans were approved under Part 7 of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003. This total represents a slight increase of 11% compared to the previous reporting period.

These plans must be developed and approved under Part 7 of the legislation for all projects requiring an environmental impact statement. Cultural heritage management plans can also be developed voluntarily.

Of the cultural heritage management plans approved since April 2020:

• around 30% relate to residential development projects
• around 25% relate to renewable energy projects
• 17.5% relate to extractive industries.

Since legislation commenced in 2004, 487 cultural heritage management plans have been approved across Queensland.

Land use activities may also result in various cultural heritage agreements with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties. There is no legislative requirement to record these agreements in the cultural heritage register.

The number of cultural heritage management plans approved since April 2020 is consistent with increased pressure on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage from major development projects in some parts of the state.