(1) The purpose of reserving land as an Aboriginal area is to identify, protect and conserve areas associated with a person, event or historical theme, or containing a building, place, object, feature or landscape:(a) of natural or cultural significance to Aboriginal people, or(b) of importance in improving public understanding of Aboriginal culture and its development and transitions,so as to enable those areas to be managed in accordance with subsection (2).(2) An Aboriginal area is to be managed in accordance with the following principles:(a) the conservation of natural values, buildings, places, objects, features and landscapes of cultural value to Aboriginal people in accordance with the cultural values of the Aboriginal people to whose heritage the buildings, places, objects, features or landscapes belong,(b) the conservation of natural or other cultural values,(c) allowing the use of the Aboriginal area by Aboriginal people for cultural purposes,(d) the promotion of public understanding and appreciation of the Aboriginal area’s natural and cultural values and significance where appropriate,(e) provision for appropriate research and monitoring, in accordance with the cultural values of the Aboriginal people,(f) provision for the carrying out of development in any part of a special area (within the meaning of the Hunter Water Act 1991) in the Aboriginal area that is permitted under section 185A having regard to the conservation of the Aboriginal area’s natural and cultural values,(g) provision for sustainable visitor or tourist use and enjoyment that is compatible with the Aboriginal area’s natural and cultural values and the cultural values of the Aboriginal people,(h) provision for sustainable use (including adaptive reuse) of any buildings or structures or modified natural areas having regard to the Aboriginal area’s natural and cultural values and the cultural values of the Aboriginal people.
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 No 80