02/12/2005 - The Australian Government will provide $3.4 million in funding to improve the protection and management of Indigenous heritage in 2006–07, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, announced today.

“Community groups, organisations and schools can apply for grants of up to $100,000 for the identification, conservation and promotion of Indigenous cultural heritage values,” he said.

“The programme is an important part of the Australian Government’s commitment to identify and conserve Indigenous places around the country. In turn this helps all Australians better understand our nation’s Indigenous heritage.

“Eligible activities include projects to protect the heritage values of places, interpretative signage, facilitating access by traditional owners to conduct ceremonies and management practices at significant heritage places.”

Senator Campbell said the Indigenous Heritage Programme was funded annually through the whole-of-Government approach to improving delivery of services relating to Indigenous affairs.

More than 55 projects were funded through the programme in 2005–06 including:
• $50,000 to develop a detailed management plan to conserve and rehabilitate the Brewarrina Fish Traps in New South Wales - now included on the National Heritage List
• $43,000 to conserve around 36 rock holes in the Kaltukatjara area intrinsically linked to the Rainbow Serpent creation story (Northern Territory)
• $15,500 for a photographic exhibition featuring heritage places in Woorabinda and the Torres Strait (Queensland)
• $25,380 to enable the Kaurna people in South Australia to negotiate the care, control and conservation of their significant heritage sites
• $100,000 for the assessment of identified cave and engraving sites in Tasmania
• $60,000 for the restoration and transformation of the Karalundi Mission building into a museum (Western Australia).
“I encourage all Indigenous people, and other Australians interested in the promotion and protection of our Indigenous cultural heritage, to apply for these grants,” Senator Campbell said.

A total of $2.7 million will be available for grants through a competitive funding round, with the remaining funds being allocated through Shared Responsibility Agreements with Indigenous communities.
For further information about the programme visit http://www.deh.gov.au/heritage/programs
Applications close on 22 February 2006.