Funding for cultural heritage sites in SA

The federal government has committed $720,000 to help restore and preserve some of Australia’s oldest cultural heritage sites in South Australia, including Koonalda Cave, which was vandalised by trespassers last December.

Located within the Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area, Koonalda Cave is home to ancient finger markings and unique archaeological deposits that provide evidence of Aboriginal culture from over 22,000 years ago.

Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek, said part of the funding will be used to protect and conserve Koonalda Cave in partnership with the Mirning people and the South Australian government.

“It was devastating to hear about the vandalism that occurred late last year. This grant of $400,000 will assist in protecting the caves by installing enhanced barriers and a state-of-the-art security system,” Ms Plibersek said.

“We’re working with Traditional Owners, conservation groups, volunteers and the state government to ensure this precious site can still be visited by future generations.”

South Australian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher, said the funding will be used to install a stateof-the-art security system that will protect the site into the future.

“We are constantly surrounded by evidence and reminders of the oldest living culture on the planet. South Australia is home to many places of rich cultural heritage sites of particular importance to Aboriginal communities.

“It is crucial that these important places are protected and the project at Koonalda Cave funded by the Australian Heritage Grants program will provide meaningful action.”

The federal government’s Australian Heritage Grants program will also fund two additional South Australian projects. These grants will protect places that offer a rare glimpse into our geological and historic heritage at the Ediacara Fossil Site at Nilpena and the Australian Cornish Mining site at Burra. The projects are:

$180,000 for Paxton Square Cottages – external wall remediation and renewal delivered by Regional Council of Goyder at Burra Australian Cornish Mining site.

$150,000 for Nilpena Ediacara National Park Oral History Project and First Nations Stories delivered by the South Australian government at Ediacara Fossil Site – Nilpena.

This funding is part of the $5.57 million Round 5 of the Australian Heritage Grants program to protect, restore and manage Australia’s unique National Heritage listed places.

Further information about the Australian Heritage Grants program can be found here: www.dcceew.gov.au/parks-heritage/heritage/ grants-and-funding/australian-heritage-grants