Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Database and Register

Online Portal User Guide

Index

Introduction

Other Resources

1          Online Portal

1.1          Accessing the Online Portal

1.2          Applying for access to the Online Portal

1.3          Main map features

1.4          Map functions and navigation

1.4.1          Basic layering and displaying

1.4.2          Cultural heritage spatial layers

1.4.3          Quick search

1.4.4          Searching for data and information

1.4.5          Import/add data

1.4.6          Export data

1.4.7          Help icon

2          Online Portal mapping tips

2.1          Topographic and satellite imagery layers

2.2          Making layers active

2.3          Map Tips tool

2.4          Identify tool

2.5          Spatial Identify tool

2.6          Intersecting different layers

2.7          Adding shapes and text using the Redline and New Selection tools

2.8          Generating a map

3          Cultural heritage searches

3.1          Public user search

3.2          Registered user search

3.3          Submitting multiple searches

4          Information submission

4.1          Information submission

4.2          Draft or template

4.3          Bulk information submission

5          QSpatial

Introduction

The Queensland Government is responsible for administering the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003   and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003  (the Cultural Heritage Acts) . The main purpose of the Cultural Heritage Acts is to provide effective recognition, protection, and conservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.

In July 2015, The Queensland Government implemented a new operating platform for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Database and Register (Online Portal)  to assist with the management of information in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Acts .  

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Database

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Database (database) contains over 50,000 cultural heritage sites and places that have been recorded since the 1950s. These cultural heritage sites include burial sites, bora rings, artefact scatters and other sites of significance.

Access to this information is restricted under the Cultural Heritage Acts   as it is not available generally .  The database is intended to be a research and planning tool to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties, researchers, and other persons in their consideration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage values of areas.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Register

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Register (register) is intended to be a depository for information for consideration for land use and land use planning, and a research and planning tool to help people in their consideration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage values of particular objects and areas.

The register differs from the database in that it is publicly accessible.

The register contains the following information:

The Online Portal provides access to both the database and the register based on the level of access granted and provides a more efficient and user-friendly access to cultural heritage information. The material covered in this guide will provide an understanding of the basic operation of the Online Portal.

Other Resources

The following resources maybe useful in conjunction with the Online Portal:

Online Portal   (Open in Google Chrome for full functionality – click http://www.google.com/chrome/   to download)

Queensland Spatial Catalogue - QSpatial

National Native Title Tribunal

Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC)

Google Earth Pro

QGIS   (Quantum Geographic Information System)

QTopo for Business and Industry

QImagery  

Google Earth Engine

Login required (for Government users only):

SmartMaps Information Services (SMIS)

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1        Online Portal

1.1        Accessing the Online Portal

The Online Portal is most responsive when accessed via Google Chrome (other browsers do not  support full functionality of the Online Portal ). Go to https://culturalheritage.datsip.qld.gov.au/achris/public/home  which will bring you to the screen below:

There are four key functions for the Online Portal:

  1. Public Map and Resources -   where you can access a GIS map containing information recorded in the register. You can view spatial and geographical layers, create maps, and import or export data (refer to Section 1 and 2 for more tips about using the map).
  2. Search the Database and Register -  where land users can submit cultural heritage searches for a particular area (refer to Section 3 for further information about how to complete search requests).
  3. Apply for Login -   where you can apply for special access to the database and register (refer to Section 1.2 for further information).
  4. Information Submission -   where users with special access can log in to the system and submit site information for inclusion on the database (refer to Section 4 for further information).

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1.2        Applying for access to the Online Portal

There are two types of special access to the Online Portal:

  1. Land users, including their authorised representatives, who regularly search the database and register for compliance purposes (registered land users).
  2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties, as defined by the Cultural Heritage Acts, including their authorised representatives.

The type of access and information made available through the Online Portal is different for each of the above categories.

Registered land users can access a self-service cultural heritage search page that provides immediate results for the area being searched. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties can access a GIS map containing information and links to documents held by DSDSATSIP in relation to any cultural heritage sites and places recorded in the database for their area.

Users with special access can also submit new information for inclusion on the database through an online information submission process.


To apply for special access, click on the Apply for Login  button highlighted in red below and complete all mandatory fields, ensuring that you have read and accepted the Terms and Conditions of access to the database prior to submitting your application. You must submit the relevant documentation identified for the relevant category of user access on the application form. The relevant documentation should outline your organisation’s support and purpose for applying for special access to the database.

Once your application for special access is received by the Cultural Heritage Unit, an email notification will be sent to you as a receipt. You will receive further notification from the Cultural Heritage Unit once your application has been processed, and if approved, you will receive log in details.

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1.3        Main map features

Click Public Map  

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1.4        Map functions and navigation

1.4.1        Basic layering and displaying

The map will display all cultural heritage register layers in addition to other layers such as heritage related areas (Qld subset), towns, mining tenements, and local government areas. These layers can be switched on and off by ticking the box to the left of the title layer in the right-hand pane as shown. As some layers are grouped (such as the cultural heritage layers) tick the box to the left of the title layer to ensure the layers below the title are displayed. In addition to displaying map layers, the Online Portal also allows users to search, annotate, perform overlays, and create maps.

Some layers may only be visible at a specific scale. The scale can be adjusted by zooming in or out using the Zoom  tool or by selecting the relevant scale in the drop-down box on the tool bar shown below.  

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1.4.2        Cultural heritage spatial layers

Dataset

Description

Type

Access

Cultural heritage sites

Areas of cultural significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland.

Database

Restricted

Partial access granted via the search process.

Full access granted via permission from the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander parties or through the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Cultural heritage body

The sole function of a cultural heritage body is to identify the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander parties for an area and serves as the first point of contact for cultural heritage matters.

Register

Publicly available

Cultural heritage party

The native title party for an area is defined as:

  • Native title holders – that is where native title has been recognised by the Federal Court of Australia.
  • Registered native title claimants – native title claims currently before the Federal Court of Australia.
  • Previously registered native title claimants (the ‘last claim standing’) – native title claims that have been removed from the Register of Native Title Claims administered by the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT).

Register

Publicly available

Designated landscape areas

Under the repealed Cultural Record (Landscapes Queensland and Queensland Estate) Act 1987 , an area was declared a ‘designated landscape area’ (DLA) if it was deemed necessary or desirable for it to be preserved or to regulate access.

Register

Publicly available

Cultural heritage studies

A cultural heritage study (CHS) is a comprehensive study of cultural heritage conducted under Part 6 of the Cultural Heritage Acts.

Register

Publicly available

Cultural heritage management plans

A cultural heritage management plan (CHMP) is an agreement between a land user (sponsor) and Traditional Owners (endorsed party) developed under Part 7 of the Cultural Heritage Acts.

The plan explains how land use activities can be managed to avoid or minimise harm to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.

Register

Publicly available

Heritage related areas (Qld subset)

The heritage related areas (Qld subset) layers consist of: World Heritage Areas, National Heritage Areas, Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) and Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements (TUMRA).

Register

Publicly available

National Heritage Areas (Indigenous values)

Places listed on the National Heritage list (Indigenous values) are recognised for their outstanding Indigenous cultural heritage significance to Australia.

Register

Publicly available

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1.4.3        Quick search

The Quick Search  function is designed to return results for any keyword typed into the box. For example, typing in a number such as 5045 will return any datasets containing this number such as lot/plans, mining tenements, property addresses etc.

From the Map page, go to the Quick Search  located at the top left of the screen – as per the image below – and start typing in the town, road, river, or address you wish to search and zoom to (e.g. 1 William).

Notice the drop-down list filters the results based on each letter you type. Once you have found the feature you want to zoom to in the drop-down list, stop typing and select the record in the list. The map will then navigate to the feature selected.

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1.4.4        Searching for data and information

Click on the Search tab  or the Search icon in the tool bar to search for information in a specific cultural heritage layer.

You must ensure the layer you would like to search i.e. C ultural Heritage Bodies is selected as the Active Layer,  or no information will be displayed. The Active Layer box is located at the top right of the screen.

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1.4.5        Import/add data

To import spatial data, click on the Add Data  icon to display the Upload File  screen, then click on the Add  button and locate the file to be uploaded. Once you have selected the file (select both the shp. and prj ancillary files to import), click the Upload  button.

 


Select and choose the Input, Fill and Stroke  options as desired and click the OK  button.

The layer will then be displayed as an additional temporary layer on top of the other layers in the layer menu. Right click on the imported layer and select the Zoom to Layer  option to view the added layer.

 


The temporary layer can be switched on and off like all other layers.

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1.4.6        Export data

To export data, click on the GDA2020 or the  GDA94  icon.  


In the Export Data  screen, select the layers and format you require and finalise the export.

Once the files have been exported, click on Click here to download the file link. Files can be exported individually, or all at once.


The downloaded file will appear at the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. Click on the file to open/save.

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1.4.7        Help icon

Click on the Help  icon to display the Weave Help  screen. Within Weave Help you will be able to navigate through the menus and find information regarding available tools, and how to use them in the map window. Click on the Help  drop-down menu for more assistance with navigating through the Portal.

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2        Online Portal mapping tips

In the Public Map and Resources  section within the Online Portal,  a range of useful tools are available that allow you to query information. Some of these include creating your own custom map, displaying and viewing various layers within the Online Portal , exporting cultural heritage layers, importing GPS points into the Online Portal  and displaying the data with other layers.

2.1        Topographic and satellite imagery layers

To adjust the visibility of the QLDMap Lite  topographic map, drag the Cultural Heritage Layers  slider highlighted below in red, right or left.

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To select the Satellite Imagery  basemap, click the drop down highlighted in red. To adjust the visibility of the Satellite Imagery   basemap, drag the Cultural Heritage Layers  slider highlighted below in red, right or left.

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2.2        Making layers active

To display information about specific layer, the layer must first be made active. Select the layer you would like to make the Active Layer  from the drop-down list highlighted in red or right click the specific layer and select Set Active .  Once a layer is active it can be intersected with other layers (refer to Section 2.6 for further information).

2.3        Map Tips tool

To display attribute information of a particular layer (i.e. party, body, contacts, address, names etc.), click on the Map Tips , select the layer you would like to view and hover over the area to display the information as per the screenshot below.

Note: Ensure the active layer is selected appropriately for these tools to identify areas, otherwise no information will be displayed.

The information will also display in the data grid highlighted in green.

2.4        Identify tool

In addition to the map tips tool, there are several other tools that can be used to display information in various formats. Click on the Identify  tool to show information in relation to the active layer only.


2.5        Spatial Identify tool

The Spatial Identify  tool will show information about all layers available within the area selected.

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2.6         Intersecting different layers

The intersect tool allows you to overlay two layers, for example cultural heritage bodies and Local Government Areas (LGAs), to determine how much of one layer exists within the other.

For example: to determine the LGAs that exist within the Tagalaka Aboriginal Corporation cultural heritage body, find the Tagalaka Aboriginal Corporation cultural heritage body using either the Quick Search  or the Search  tool. The cultural heritage body will be identified and highlighted.  

 

Set the LGA layer to be active by right clicking on the LGA layer and setting it as active in the right-hand pane.


The cultural heritage body selection will disappear temporarily and the LGA will be selected as your active layer.

Click on the Intersect  tool, and then click on the Add  button.

 

The cultural heritage body will appear in red and the LGAs intersected with the cultural heritage body will appear in light blue.

The results will display in the data grid below. The information can then be exported if required using the Export  tool highlighted below.

   

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2.7        Adding shapes and text using the Redline and New Selection tools

Drawing shapes and adding text on a map can be done by using some of the tools highlighted below in red.


2.8        Generating a map

Click on the Print   icon highlighted below in red and select the required formats, click on the Generate button highlited below in blue.


Once the report has been generated, click on the Link  to view the report/map.

The map and legend will appear as per the screenshot below and can be printed/saved using the tools highlighted below in red.

Graphical user interface, application

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3        Cultural heritage searches

Persons carrying out activities that may impact on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage can request information from the database and register by undertaking a cultural heritage search request via the Online Portal .

Land users can search the database and register as a public user or a registered user.

3.1        Public user search

Click on Search the Database and Register  button highlighted below then click on the Search now button.

 

Complete mandatory fields and specify your search criteria. Indicate which category of the Duty of Care Guidelines  applies to the proposed activity, then click on Submit . A buffer (in meters) can be included as part of the search area.

Once you have submitted your search request as a public user you will receive notification advising that your search request has been successfully submitted and a reference number. You will also receive an email receipt.

Once your search request is processed, you will receive an email from the Cultural Heritage Unit with a report detailing the relevant cultural heritage information applicable to your search area. This includes summarised information for any previously recorded sites and contact details of the relevant Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander parties for the area.

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3.2        Registered user search

Once your Application for special access is approved, log into the Online Portal with the username and password details provided. Click on the Search the Database and Register  section highlighted below in red, then click on Search now .


Specify your search criteria. Indicate which category of the Duty of Care Guidelines  applies to the proposed activity, and then click on Submit . A buffer (in meters) can be included as part of the search area.


Once the search criteria (lot/plan, tenement, latitude longitude, digital data) has been submitted, a map of Queensland will be displayed on your screen.

Tick the search criteria box highlighted below in red, select the report format highlighted below in blue, and then click on the Generate Selected button highlighted in green.

 

A map will generate and zoom to the specific search area. This provides a visual indication of the area being searched. Click on the Open Report button.

Once the report is opened, it can be saved and/or printed.

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3.3        Submitting multiple searches

To submit multiple search areas click on the Add Search Criteria button (you can add multiple search criteria) and select either; Lot On Plan, Tenement, Latitude/Longitude or Polygon, then follow the instructions previously outlined in Section 3 to complete search submissions.

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4        Information submission

Under section 40 of the Cultural Heritage Acts, the Chief Executive may place information on the database to the extent considered appropriate, having regard to the consistency of the information with existing anthropological, biogeographical, historical, and archaeological information.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties and registered land users who have been approved for special access to the Online Portal  have an additional menu option for submitting new information to be considered for inclusion on the database.

Public users do not have access to this function. If you are a public user and wish to submit information for inclusion on the database, you should contact the Site Registrar, Cultural Heritage Unit on 1300 378 401 or email cultural.heritage@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au .

4.1        Information submission

Login to the Online Portal to submit new information.

 

From the drop-down menu, select the Complete Information Submission  button.


Complete mandatory fields and click on Check Coordinates .


Your location coordinates will display as per the screenshot below. Click on the Proceed  button.


You must complete any mandatory fields within each tab and attach any relevant documents including images.

Note: In the Component Forms   tab you must complete and submit a minimum of one component form.

Once you have completed all the required fields, click the Submission tab and complete declaration details.


Once you are satisfied with the information, click the Submit  button.


As per the screenshot above, the website will indicate that your information has been successfully submitted. Your information submission will be reviewed by the Site Registrar and submitted to the Chief Executive for approval. You will receive email notification from the Cultural Heritage Unit when your submission is processed.

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4.2        Draft or template

You can save your submission as a draft by clicking on the Save Draft/Template  button, which allows you to complete your submission at a later date or open it as a template to make changes for other submissions in the future.


To complete a previously saved draft or template, select the Complete Draft or Template  option from the drop-down menu.


Find and select your draft or template, complete mandatory fields and submit as per the instructions previously outlined in Section 4.1 of this User Guide.

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4.3        Bulk information submission

To submit multiple sites simultaneously, click on the Bulk Information Submission  button from the drop-down menu.


Click on the Click Here  button to download the bulk upload template spreadsheet as per the images below.

Complete all mandatory fields and save the spreadsheet to your computer at the desired location (refer to the image below for reference).

Once the spreadsheet has been completed/populated with the required information, click on the Choose File  button to upload the spreadsheet and click Import.  

The data will pre-populate as per the table below.


Click on Check Coordinates  to verify the information. Once verified, click Proceed .


Your sites will individually list as per the screenshot below. Click on each individual site, click on the Open As Draft  button and complete each submission.

Once your submission is received by the Cultural Heritage Unit, the information will be reviewed by the Site Registrar and submitted to the Chief Executive for approval. You will receive email notification from the Cultural Heritage Unit once your submission is processed.

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5        QSpatial

Most Queensland Government data is now available free of charge for users to download via QSpatial (website managed by the Department of Resources). This data can be downloaded in various formats and can then be opened directly in the Online Portal  as well as Google Earth Pro/Google Earth or any GIS application (MapInfo/ArcMap/QGIS).

Open Google Chrome and navigate to the following website http://qldspatial.information.qld.gov.au/catalogue/custom/index.page  which will bring you to the screen below:

To search for datasets click on either of the search options highlighted above in red.


In the Search Term  box highlighted below in red, type in a few key words that relate to your data of interest such as - petroleum lease, petroleum pipeline licences, mining leases, exploration pemits minerals, exploration permits petroleum or Digital Cadastral DataBase (DCDB), national parks, towns, roads etc.

Note: For most datasets you can just click on the download dataset  button and follow the prompts and have the data emailed to you.  


There is a slightly different procedure for downloading DCDB. Scroll down the page and find Cadastral data – Queensland – by area of interest .


Click on the Add to my list  button highlighted below in green, then click on the My list  button highlighted in purple.


Click on the View/extract in map button highlighted below in red.


Click on the square icon highlighted below in red and the box will change to green. Then click on the Extract/download  button highlighted below in purple.

Select the relevant area of interest highlighted in green and select either choose an area to download DCDB by individual LGA or All to download the whole state. Select the required output format, type in your email address and then click the accept the terms and conditions box. Click on the grey extract/download button highlighted in blue to download the data.

The data will be emailed to the nominated email address. Once the email is received, open the data and save the file in the appropriate area. If the file is zipped, right click and extract the file and save.

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