Acknowledgement of Country 

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands upon which Defence operates within the Woomera Prohibited Area and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

We also acknowledge the services of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have contributed to the defence of Australia and its national interests.

Traditional Custodians of the Land

The word ‘Woomera’ comes from the Eora people of Sydney. It refers to a spear-throwing device that extends the distance a spear can be thrown. The Woomera Range Complex motto ‘sharpen the spear’ is a reference to this unique Aboriginal invention and acknowledges the significance of the WPA in supporting the development of ADF capabilities.

The Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) encompasses the traditional lands of six Aboriginal groups. Maralinga Tjarutja (MT) and Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yunkunytjatjara (APY) hold almost 30 per cent of the land in the west of the WPA as freehold title granted under South Australian legislation. Four other groups – Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara (AMY), Arabana, Gawler Ranges and Kokatha – hold native title over areas in the WPA.

The history of these people and their deep ties to the land in the WPA date back over many thousands of years. The WPA contains sites of enduring significance to Aboriginal people, including stone arrangements associated with traditional ceremony and ritual, rock art sites, ceremonial sites, cultural sites manifested in topographical features such as watercourses, and archaeological sites that show how people lived in and used their environment.

Aboriginal people continue their traditions by accessing the WPA for traditional ceremonies, hunting, heritage site protection, and cultural activities. A number of Aboriginal groups have been actively involved in commercial activity in and around the WPA, including in the resources and tourism sectors. Today, the traditional custodians of the WPA mostly live in cities, small towns and settlements around South Australia. They continue to have strong links to their land, an interest in preserving their history and culture in the WPA, and growing an economic and employment base for their communities.

Heritage management

The WPA is rich in Aboriginal and European cultural heritage. To guide Defence activities and ensure best practice management and protection of this unique heritage, a Heritage Management Plan (HMP) has been developed in collaboration with Traditional Owners of the WPA, and Defence stakeholders.   

An important protection mechanism outlined in the HMP is the implementation of an Unexpected finds protocol. 

Unexpected finds protocol

Skeletal remains

In the event that suspected skeletal remains are found within the WPA, stop any work that may impact them immediately, please do not touch them further, and call the police. The Woomera Prohibited Area Coordination Office (WPACO) should also be contacted immediately. 

The police will determine whether the remains are Aboriginal ancestral remains.

WPACO will contact relevant personnel to ensure the appropriate Aboriginal group is contacted to take the appropriate action and, where relevant, the Department of State Development – Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation.

Aboriginal heritage finds

In the event that unexpected Aboriginal heritage is found within the WPA, work or other activities that may impact the find must cease immediately and the discovery must be reported to WPACO. It is recommended not to collect samples or touch anything, and ensure that the area is protected.

WPACO will contact relevant personnel to make a decision with regard to the nature of the find.

This may include seeking advice from the relevant Aboriginal group and/ or archaeological professionals.

Historic heritage

Historical artefacts or material may be unearthed unexpectedly around the WPA. These could potentially be located on the ground surface or subsurface. In the event of the discovery of any historical artefacts or material during activities or trials at the WPA the following steps should be followed:

• Stop any work or other activities that may impact the site immediately and contact WPACO. Do not collect any samples, and ensure the area is protected from further impacts.
• WPACO will contact relevant personnel to assess the find and if suspected historical archaeological objects are found an appropriately qualified heritage professional will be engaged to determine the significance of the find, assess any impacts (or potential impacts) and determine appropriate management measures.
• Subject to the archaeologist’s assessment, activities may be able to recommence under specific conditions once the site is assessed and appropriately managed. Alternatively, work methods, activities or location may be altered to minimise further harm to the find, or objects associated with the find.