Grants to preserve and protect Aboriginal sites

The Preserve, Promote and Protect our Aboriginal Sites program provides grants to Aboriginal organisations for projects that protect Aboriginal sites and support Aboriginal people in managing their cultural heritage throughout Western Australia.
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Preserve, Promote and Protect our Aboriginal Sites program

The program provides up to $50,000 exclusive of GST to incorporated not-for-profit Aboriginal organisations to manage Aboriginal sites listed on the Register of Aboriginal Places and Objects.

Previously funded projects included:

  • The remediation of registered Aboriginal burial sites, including memorials plinths and reflection places.
  • Development and installation of interpretive and truth-telling signage.
  • Fencing, including repair and installation.
  • Removal of invasive weeds, rubbish and graffiti.
  • Digital promotion of cultural information for existing registered sites to a broader audience.
  • Construction of meeting places and improved site accessibility at registered Aboriginal Sites.
  • Employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people in delivering on-the ground project work, such as site clean-ups and remediation.
  • Historical research to identify and repatriate historical images and information connected to an existing registered Aboriginal site.

Since the commencement of the grants in 2014, the Western Australian Government has committed more than $2.5 million in its continued support of Aboriginal people in managing their cultural heritage throughout Western Australia.

2023-24 grant recipients

Applications for the 2023-2024 round of the Preserve, Promote and Protect our Aboriginal Sites program closed on 24 March 2024.

This year, nearly $500,000 was awarded to seven not-for-profit Aboriginal organisations for 11 projects to protect significant Aboriginal heritage sites across Western Australia. Each project was funded up to $50,000 for on-the-ground works.

Grant Recipient

Project

Grant Amount

Project Summary

Budadee Aboriginal Corporation

(Pilbara)

Tambourah Spring Cultural Heritage Maintenance Project$48,085The Woodstock Abydos heritage and Tambourah Spring sites have suffered incidental damage. Installation of signage at Tambourah Spring will help inform visitors about the cultural heritage values in the area and discourage them from disturbing the site.

Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation

(Pilbara)

Yindjibarndi Tablets$49,000Protect the important sites connected to the Yindjibarndi people and inform visitors by producing and installing signage at Wuyhumarri; Driller’s Hole, Millstream; and Pila Thalu.

Mirning Traditional Lands Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

(Goldfields)

Mirning Repatriation Project$46,940Repatriate and rebury eight Mirning Ancestors who are currently being held by the West Australian Museum and DPLH. Cultural mapping of the Mullamullang Cave, documenting further site information and recommending management and mitigation actions.

Nowanup Noongar Boodjar Ltd

(Metro/South West)

Carlawilgieup Rockhole Restoration$49,962Bring Elders to the Carlawilgieup Rockhole accompanied by an anthropologist/historian and an ecologist, to record stories and knowledge and develop appropriate site protection and rehabilitation measures.

Wanparta Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

(Pilbara)

Ngarla Shellborough Site Maintenance Project$50,000Mitigate risks to Ngarla cultural heritage through stabilisation of the ancestral remains at Shellborough site, coupled with the installation of signage and fencing. Signage will be installed at five different locations along the dunes, Geotextile sandbags and coir matting will be utilised to stabilise any exposed ancestral remains, and fencing will be installed.

Yued Aboriginal Corporation

(Metro/South West)

Yued Aboriginal Heritage Site Assessments (Noongar Land Estate) 1$45,456Initial site assessment of the Mogumber Burial site for heritage and environmental conditions, identifying threatening or damaging processes and recording digital stories of the area. Remediation work, including fencing, site clean-up, weed control, and installation of signage and security cameras.

Yued Aboriginal Corporation

(Metro/South West)

Yued Aboriginal Heritage Site Assessments (Noongar Land Estate) 2$46,396Initial site assessment of the Mogumber Cemetery for heritage and environmental conditions, identifying threatening or damaging processes and recording digital stories of the area. Remediation works, including fencing, site clean-up, weed control, and installation of signage and security cameras.

Yued Aboriginal Corporation

(Metro/South West)

Yued Aboriginal Heritage Site Assessments (Noongar Land Estate) 4$39,305Initial site assessment of the Walebing site for heritage and environmental conditions, identifying threatening or damaging processes and recording digital stories of the area. Remediation works, including fencing, fire-break establishment and weed control.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

(Mid-West)

Fencing at Lyndon Station: Coria Springs - Budina Aboriginal Corporation$32,775Investigate and install fencing options at Lyndon Station protecting important rock art from livestock. 

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

(Mid-West)

Rehabilitation of Nungingay Springs - Nanda Aboriginal Corporation$44,148Rehabilitation of the culturally significant Nungingay Springs to protect the registered site from further damage by feral livestock; and to restore the site as close as possible to its original state. This includes removing old fencing, concreting, and miscellaneous debris; and installation of appropriate fencing for feral animal control.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

(Pilbara)

Djadabunna Trapyard - Ngarlawangga Aboriginal Corporation$25,300Water monitoring program at the Djadabunna Trapyard water source with the possibility of fencing to protect from cattle.

Who can apply

Incorporated Aboriginal not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply. Individuals and local, state and federal government agencies are not eligible for grant funding through this program; however, joint submissions with other organisations may be made.

If a joint application is made, the eligible Aboriginal organisation must be listed as the applicant, with the other organisation(s) listed in the application form. An organisation that may not have capacity to manage any resultant funding may wish to partner with an organisation that will manage the financial aspects of the project (an auspicing body). The auspicing body must agree to receive the funds and to administer the grant in accordance with the terms and conditions of the signed grant agreement.

Project evaluation

Projects are required to demonstrate the following outcomes:

  • Sustainable, long-term heritage benefits.
  • Public benefit and increased awareness of Aboriginal heritage.
  • Opportunities and benefits for Aboriginal people and organisations.
  • Primary use of funding for physical works.
  • Meeting eligibility guidelines including the written endorsement of the landowner, relevant Indigenous Land Use Agreement group or Native Title Prescribed Body Corporate.

Find out more

Applications for the 2023-24 program have closed. For more information on the program contact:

Senior Heritage Officer
Phone: (08) 6551 8000
Email: HeritageGrants@dplh.wa.gov.au

Contact