THE WESTERN Australian Museum is proposing changes to maritime archaeology legislation to better protect shipwrecks in WA waters.
The WA Museum is reviewing the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973 with intentions to ensure the state is meeting its commitments under Australian law to safeguard maritime archaeological sites.
The museum is proposing “significant changes” to the current legislation and launched a consultation on Tuesday (11 April) to gather feedback from the public.
The consultation aims to consider the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other stakeholders with an interest in protecting and managing the state’s maritime heritage.
“Western Australia’s treacherous coastline is home to many land and sea maritime archaeological sites that need to be appropriately protected now and into the future,” culture and the arts minister David Templeman said.
“We know this legislation has far-reaching implications and want to ensure we capture as many voices in our consultation as possible.
“It is through effective consultation and outlining the benefits, concerns and opportunities that we will be able to increase collaboration in the protection of WA’s maritime heritage.”
The WA Museum is inviting feedback on a range of proposed changes, including automatic protection of archaeological remains of submerged maritime infrastructure that has been abandoned for more than 75 years.
Proposed changes also relate to protection of historic maritime resource industry sites, sunken aircraft and sunken vehicles.
The consultation is scheduled to run until 12 May 2023.
