All Aboriginal Sacred Sites in the Northern Territory are protected by the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act.
Township Leases must conform to the NT Sacred Sites Act and all other relevant laws.
Developers and sublessees must obtain an Authority Certificate if they wish to develop Aboriginal land. A Certificate describes the conditions for using or developing land on or near a sacred site. Authority Certificates are obtained through the Northern Territory Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA).
It is a criminal offence to cause damage to any sacred site in the NT. However, developers possessing an Authority Certificate may be indemnified against prosecution under the Sacred Sites Act provided they have adhered to the conditions outlined on the Authority Certificate.
For more information refer to the AAPA website – http://www.aapant.org.au/