Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Understand more about Aboriginal cultural heritage places and items
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
For thousands of years, First Nations people who identify as Guringai, Darkinjung, Darkinoog and Awabakal have known long-standing and continuing connections to land and water across the Central Coast. Their profound connection to the land is evident through enduring cultural sites, including rock engravings, shell middens, and ceremonial locations. These sacred sites offer invaluable insights into the spiritual and daily lives of the region’s original inhabitants.
Aboriginal heritage on the Central Coast is more than cultural sites and artifacts—it’s a living connection between people and the land. For Aboriginal communities, these places hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning, shaping identity, traditions, and the way stories are passed down through generations.
Heritage isn’t always something you can see, it can also be the stories and significance of a place. Some places are connected to creation stories, others are sites of gathering, ceremony, or survival. These places matter, not just to Aboriginal people but to all Australians, because they tell the story of this land and its First Peoples.
Managing Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 is one of the principal legislations protecting Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in NSW. This includes legislation with regard to works that potentially may harm Aboriginal sites, places and objects, maintaining information databases, and assessing applications and the issue of approvals and permits.
The Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) holds over 100,00 records and information about Aboriginal Places, objects and other significant sites across NSW. It is one of the first places to look to see if there is a potential significant Aboriginal Site or Place within the site you are working. You can access the AHIMS Database here: Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System | Heritage | Environment and Heritage
Development of properties within the Sensitive Aboriginal Landscapes, or near or in registered sites may require additional information, investigations and approvals. Development that may impact declared Aboriginal Places or any other Aboriginal object or site protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 will involve Heritage NSW.
More information can be obtained with reference to the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 - NSW Legislation, Section 3.6 - Heritage Conservation of the Central Coast Development Control Plan 2022, and the Due Diligence Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects in New South Wales | Environment and Heritage.