Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Site Protection
Nawa-Warrak places Aboriginal Site Protection at the heart of every project, ensuring culturally significant places, stories, and artefacts are respected and preserved for future generations. By working in partnership with Traditional Owner groups and following strict cultural protocols, we help land managers, councils, and contractors protect Country while meeting legal, ethical, and environmental responsibilities.
At Nawa-Warrak, Aboriginal Site Protection is not an add-on service - it is a core value embedded in every aspect of our land management and pest animal control work. As a proudly Aboriginal-owned and operated business, we take seriously the responsibility to protect culturally significant sites, honour ancestral knowledge, and ensure traditional stories, artefacts, and sacred places remain undisturbed for generations to come.
We work in close partnership with Traditional Owner groups, government agencies, and environmental contractors to ensure all activities on Country are conducted with cultural awareness, community consultation, and full compliance with Victorian Aboriginal Heritage legislation.
Respecting Country. Protecting Culture. Preserving Knowledge.
Disturbing Aboriginal cultural heritage sites, whether knowingly or accidentally can result in:
Aboriginal cultural heritage is deeply connected to land, water, and sky. These sites are not just locations - they hold spiritual, historical, and ceremonial significance, often tied to Dreamtime stories, traditional practices, occupation sites or strong cultural connections both physically and spiritually for future education and our generations.
Legal consequences under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Broken trust with Traditional Owner groups
Reputational damage to councils and land managers
Delays in project timelines due to emergency reassessments or penalties
By engaging Nawa-Warrak, you can move forward with the confidence that you are doing the right thing — legally, ethically, and culturally.
Our Aboriginal Site Protection Services
Cultural Risk Assessments
We provide culturally informed site protection services as part of both our pest animal control work and standalone consultancy, depending on the needs of the project or landholder.
Scarred trees
Before any pest animal control or ground works begin, we conduct a thorough cultural values assessment in consultation with Traditional Owners, using historical maps, lived knowledge, and ecological overlays to identify areas of potential cultural sensitivity.
On-Ground Site Identification
Our trained Aboriginal staff work on Country to identify and flag features such as:
Burial grounds
Rock shelters
Ceremonial sites
Artefact scatters
Water sources with cultural value
We use GPS mapping to record site locations and create clear exclusion zones where needed. During our work undertaken, we will also record any possible cultural findings that may need further investigation as per the Heritage Act 2017 and working with the Traditional Owners.
Working in Partnership with Traditional Owner Corporations
We don’t just report to Traditional Owners groups — we collaborate with them. Where possible, we support employment of local Aboriginal rangers and cultural monitors, and ensure the pest control strategies align with Traditional Owners objectives and local lore.
Local government officers developing pest animal plans
Advice for Government & Environmental Contractors
We regularly provide guidance to:
Catchment management authorities preparing grant applications
Contractors needing to comply with RAPs, CHMPs or cultural overlays
We help teams navigate the cultural landscape professionally and respectfully, reducing the risk of non-compliance or conflict.
Cultural Protocol Integration
All Nawa-Warrak work is conducted with appropriate cultural protocols in place — including Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremonies, and community permissions where required. Our team has internal cultural safety training and lives by a code of cultural respect and accountability.
Mounds
Midden sites
Why Partner with Nawa-Warrak for Site Protection?
Aboriginal-led and community connected with Traditional Owners groups
Deep understanding of Victorian Aboriginal cultural heritage and legislation
Hands-on experience protecting sites during invasive species control
Trusted by councils, environmental agencies, and Traditional Owner groups
Able to integrate site protection with broader land management outcomes
Site protection isn’t just paperwork — it’s walking with care, listening deeply, and acting with respect. Our work ensures the stories of this land are preserved while still allowing practical land management and pest control to take place.
Whether you manage crown land, road reserves, farmland, or ecological zones, we can help you build a plan that protects both the environment and the cultural legacy it holds.