Queensland

There is consistent pressure on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage due to increased general land use activities.

Cultural heritage search requests processed for land users increased by 25.5%, from 27,242 searches in 2019 to 34,204 in 2024.

A land user can request a search of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage database and register to assist them in considering the cultural heritage values of a particular area.

A search of the database and register helps satisfy, in part, the cultural heritage Duty of Care established by the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003.

The increased number of search requests suggests increasing land use activity and greater awareness among land users of their Duty of Care obligations.