The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 protects Aboriginal cultural heritage in NSW. We consider applications for proposals that may cause harm to Aboriginal objects and places. Harm is defined to mean destroying, defacing, damaging or moving an object from the land.
Harm to objects and places
If you are proposing works or an activity that may cause harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage, you need to apply for and be granted an Aboriginal heritage impact permit (AHIP) before the work or activity can take place. We assess applications to issue, transfer, vary and surrender AHIPs.
The Applying for an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit: Guide for applicants outlines when to apply and when a permit is not required.
Prepare your application
Before you apply for an AHIP you need to prepare essential supporting documents. This information is necessary so we can make decisions.
Your application must provide enough information for us to understand what you are proposing to do, and how any potential impacts to Aboriginal cultural heritage will be addressed.
Please ensure:
- you have all the information required, in digital format
- reports are the final version, not draft
- consultation is complete
- reports, plans and consents are consistent
- all documents comply with the appropriate Heritage NSW guidelines and codes of practice.
Hard copies of documents are not required.