News

Vote YES for The VOICE on 14 October

The Aboriginal members of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority fully endorse the proposed Voice to Parliament and call on Territorians to vote ‘Yes’ in the 14 October Referendum.

High Court to hear appeal against NT Supreme Court ruling that the Commonwealth is free to damage sacred sites

Media Release 19 May 2023

Christmas Holiday Notice

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority offices and online services will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period from 26th December 2022 to 2nd January 2023 inclusive.

Kunmanara Hoosan

  The Chairman, Board, CEO and Staff of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority are deeply saddened by the loss of our Board Member, Kunmanara Hoosan.

Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v Alice Springs Sand Supply Pty Ltd

Media ReleaseDate: 2 November 2022Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v Alice Springs Sand Supply Pty Ltd

Media Release - Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority takes Gunlom case to the High Court

Media Release Date: 28 October 2022 The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority has today filed an application for special leave to the High  Court of Australia.  

AAPA Media Release - Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v Hayes Enterprises (NT) Pty Ltd

Media Release Date: 7 October 2022

AAPA Media Release - Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v Director of National Parks

Media Release  Date: 30 September 2022

AAPA Media Release - Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority welcomes Ministerial decision on MRM sacred sites agreement

Media Release Date: 15 February 2022

COVID-19 restrictions causing delays to the delivery of AAPA’s services.

For up to date information about COVID-19 management in the Northern Territory please visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) (nt.gov.au)

Closure of Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) over the 2021 Christmas holidays

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority offices and online services will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period from Monday, 27 December 2021 to Monday, 3 January 2022 inclusive.

AAPA Media Release - Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v Director of National Parks

Media Release Date: 8 October 2021

AAPA Media Release - Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v Vu Van Nguyen

Media Release Date: 31 August 2021

AAPA Media Release - Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v Director of National Parks - 05 August 2021

Media Release Date: 05 August 2021

AAPA Media Release - Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v Director of National Parks - 30 July 2021

Media Release Date: 30 July 2021

AAPA Media Release - Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v Director of National Parks - 30 April 2021

Media Release Date: 30th April 2021

AAPA Media Release - Gunlom Walking Track - 29 March 2021

Media Release Date: 29th March 2021 The matter of Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v the Director of National Parks was again listed today for a directions hearing in the Local Court in Darwin.

AAPA media statement - charge against Parks Australia - Gunlom walking track

Media Release Date: 15 September 2020 

COVID-19 restrictions causing delays to the delivery of AAPA’s services.

The restrictions associated with COVID-19 are causing significant delays to the delivery of AAPA’s services. We apologise for any inconvenience and ask for your patience through this difficult period.

Closure of Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) over the Christmas Holidays

Please be advised that AAPA will be closed over the Christmas/New Year period, starting from Wednesday 25 December 2019 and will reopen on Thursday 2 January 2020.

Improved Request For Information Process have been Implemented

AAPA is pleased to announce that an improved Request for Information process have been implemented from 1 November 2019.  AAPA has recently reviewed process for issuing an abstract of records under regulation 7 of the Northern Territory Abor

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) Launches AAPA Online

Accessing the AAPA’s key services has become faster and easier with launch of AAPA Online. The roll out of this new system allows Territorians to lodge applications for Authority Certificates and Requests for Information online.

Announcement – Appointment of Chair and Deputy Chair to the Board of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority

The Authority is happy to announce that on 14 November 2016, His Honour the Administrator appointed Mr Philip Wilyuka as Chair and Ms Valerie Martin as Deputy Chair of the Board.

Limmen Rock Art Project

The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory (PWCNT) has implemented a rock art survey project across the Limmen National Park to produce a comprehensive inventory of rock art sites with a view to increasing standards of cooperation and building stronger a

Alice Springs Mountain Bike Trails

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) has worked with the Parks and Wildlife Commission on multiple applications, including multiple jobs in Central Australia on works to upgrade existing mountain bike trails within the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historic

Ti Tree Proposed Residential Development

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) issued an Authority Certificate for a residential subdivision and development in the area of Lot 20, south of Monospar Road in Ti Tree in May 2015.  This certificate clarified the location of specific sacred site trees whi

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 was a combined Australian and United States (US) training activity which involved up to 30,000 personnel.

National Broadband Network

Since 2012 the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) has been working with the National Broadband Network Company (NBNCo) to provide sacred site clearance for NBNCo infrastructure in towns and regions of the Northern Territory.

Sea and Land Ranger Training - 2015 Highlight

In late 2014 the Authority’s Compliance Officer carried on site training for Djelk Sea Rangers at Maningrida. This training focussed on evidence gathering and investigation techniques.

AAPA Website 2015 Highlight

In April 2015 the Authority launched its new public website which was designed to be more user friendly and provide practical information about the services and functions of the Authority.

Annual Report released

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority’s Annual Report for 2014-15 has now been released and is available through the link below. Annual Report 2014-15 »

Performance tracker

A new initiative by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority is to provide basic performance statistics on a regular basis.

Chambers Pillars Decision

Today His Honour Magistrate Greg Smith handed down his decision in the matter of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v the Northern Territory of Australia. He found against the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority.

Historic conviction of miner for desecrating sacred site

The historic prosecution of a Singapore-based mining company for the desecration of an Aboriginal sacred site in the Northern Territory has prompted the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority to call for miners to respect the law and honour their agreements, in the middle

Tree Trimming Approved for Sacred Trees at Traeger Park

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) has today issued an Authority Certificate to the Alice Springs Town Council to allow maintenance works to be undertaken on two dead trees at Traeger Park.

Successful Prosecution for Damage to Alice Springs Sacred Site

In the Alice Springs Magistrates Court today, Mr Stephen Carson pleaded guilty to two charges under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act (SacredSites Act) for damaging a sacred site.

Successful Prosecution for Damage to Alice Springs Sacred Site

In the Alice Springs Magistrates Court today, Mrs Julie Sanderson was found guilty of a charge under Section 34 of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act for damage caused to a sacred site.

McArthur River Mine

Arrernte Council Guilty of Damage to Sacred Sites

In the Alice Springs Magistrates Court today, the Arrernte Council pleaded guilty to two charges under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act, contravening five conditions of an Authority Certificate.