Media releases

NT Local Court House sign

Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority v McArthur River Mine

media release
Today the Northern Territory Local Court heard the first mention of an alleged breach of section 34 of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (NT) (“the Act”) by McArthur River Mine. The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (the AAPA) alleges that McArthur River Mine worked on the Damangani sacred site without an Authority Certificate.
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Mindil Beach at sunset

Territory Day celebrations at Mindil Beach

media release
The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority has not provided any advice recommending Territory Day celebrations be moved from Mindil Beach. Any decisions regarding event planning and location are a matter for the organiser.
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Silhouetted people standing on the edge of the Gunlom Falls top pool

AAPA welcomes guilty plea from the Director of National Parks

media release
The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority today welcomed news that the Director of National Parks intends to plead guilty to breaches of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act.
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High Court of Australia Building

High Court rules National Parks is bound by Northern Territory law

media release
The High Court of Australia today ruled unanimously in favour of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) in the long-running legal battle with National Parks over the protection of sacred sites. The High Court found National Parks did not have crown immunity and can be prosecuted for offences under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (Sacred Sites Act).
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Publications

Man in high vis and cap crouched holding a device in front of fourwheel drive

Comment on the draft standard conditions and risk criteria for exploration and mining activities

Mining activities deemed low risk to the environment may still entail significant risk to sacred sites. Currently the processes for Standard Condition Licenses do not address this risk, nor do they provide a clear pathway to the Sacred Sites Act to mitigate this risk.
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Aerial view of the coastline at a section of Blue Mud Bay

Submission on whether the Sea Rights Yingapungapu should be permanently declared as a heritage place

The Sea Rights Yingapungapu is a permanent sand sculpture memorial created in 2018 for the tenth anniversary of the Blue Mud Bay decision, which recognised that Traditional Aboriginal Owners had exclusive rights to lands and waters within the intertidal zone in the Northern Territory. The Authority is supportive of declaring the Sea Rights Yingapungapu as a declared heritage place.
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Small tributary off the Roper River fringed by pandanus

Comment on the Draft Mataranka Water Allocation Plan 2024-34

All the Roper River tributaries in the Mataranka area have a high density of sacred sites. We are pleased that the new water allocation plan recognises the outstanding cultural value of the Roper River and tributaries in the Mataranka area, as well as its unique environmental values.
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Image of Casuarina Coastal Reserve used by NTG during publlic consultation

Comment on proposed changes to the Casuarina Coastal Reserve

The proposed park is within the area traditionally occupied by Larrakia people and retains significant cultural importance and a number of Aboriginal sacred sites. It is vital that consultation occurs with Larrakia in relation to the management of the park, to ensure that the cultural values and stories are recognised and protected appropriately.
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