Carbon Positive Australia and Yued Aboriginal Corporation sign heritage protection agreement

Media statement

“Surely you can’t harm cultural heritage by planting trees?” you might ask.

When people think about harming cultural heritage they might think about digging up burial places, chopping down sacred trees or, in extreme cases, blowing up ancient caves.

But this doesn’t consider cultural heritage that limits who is allowed to even enter certain places. By now, almost everyone knows that some places are sacred for women and some for men, but without proper guidance most non-Aboriginal people wouldn’t know where to avoid.

That’s where the Yued Heritage Protection Agreement comes in. It establishes the processes by which consideration is given to activities planned by project proponents. It gives non-Aboriginal people an important opportunity to learn from Yued knowledge holders about how to work respectfully in locations governed by Yued cultural protocols.

Under a YHPA, proponents submit their planned Activity Notice which is considered by YAC’s Cultural Advice Committee (CAC). The CAC then provides advice to YAC’s management team on how to best ensure that cultural heritage is identified and protected.

That way, non-Aboriginal people can make sure that men aren’t going into women’s places, and vice versa.

Comments attributable to Rewi Lyall, Chief Executive Officer, Yued Aboriginal Corporation

“The processes under a Yued Heritage Protection Agreement give clear guidance about where non-Aboriginal people should steer clear and where they need to be accompanied by Yued.

“Carbon Positive Australia knows that asking for this advice is integral to a respectful relationship.”

Comments attributable to Joe Heffernan, Chief Executive Officer, Carbon Positive Australia

“Carbon Positive Australia is proud to be working collaboratively with Yued Aboriginal Corporation, recognising Yued People's ownership and deep knowledge of their Country across thousands of years.

“We believe that restoring native ecosystems and looking after Country is an urgent priority for Australia, and that this agreement represents an exciting step as our organisations progress a shared vision of cultural and ecosystem protection and restoration across Yued Boodja.”

 Download: Yued Aboriginal Corporation media statement (PDF 395KB)