Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT 2018 - SECT 15

  (1)   Underwater cultural heritage means any trace of human existence that:

  (a)   has a cultural, historical or archaeological character; and

  (b)   is located under water.

  (2)   For the purposes of subsection   (1), a trace of human existence includes:

  (a)   sites, structures, buildings, artefacts and human and animal remains, together with their archaeological and natural context; and

  (b)   vessels, aircraft and other vehicles or any part thereof, together with their archaeological and natural context; and

  (c)   articles associated with vessels, aircraft or other vehicles, together with their archaeological and natural context.

  (3)   For the purposes of paragraph   (1)(b), a trace of human existence is located under water:

  (a)   whether partially or totally under water; and

  (b)   whether under water periodically or continuously.

  (4)   However, the following are not underwater cultural heritage :

  (a)   pipelines or cables on the seabed;

  (b)   installations (other than pipelines or cables) that are:

  (i)   placed on the seabed; and

  (ii)   still in use.