The site of an ancient Aboriginal community and one of the world’s oldest aquaculture systems, if successful, Budj Bim would become Australia’s first site World Heritage-listed solely for indigenous cultural values and the country’s 20th place on the list.

The 400-plus page nomination, produced jointly by the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the state and federal governments, is due to be signed off by federal Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg on Friday.

It must be lodged by February 1 with UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Paris for assessment over the ensuing 12 months with an announcement due July 2019.

Glenelg Shire acting CEO Edith Farrell hailed the potential World Heritage listing as “a game changer” for both the regional and state economies.

“World Heritage status will position the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape as a significant international and national tourist destination, attracting hundreds of tourists to our region each week,” she said.

Gunditj Mirring project manager and Gunditj Mara elder Denis Rose said finalising the nomination was a significant achievement in the quest for World Heritage status and the culmination of a protracted 15-year campaign.

“The idea was first put forward in 2002 as part of the Lake Condah sustainable development project,” Mr Rose said. “It’s an evidence-based process and it took us quite a few years to get the evidence.”

Budj Bim, north-west of Portland, was the site of a complex aquaculture system by a settled Aboriginal community who farmed and smoked eels as a source of food and trade. Carbon-dated at 6600 years old, the site is older than the Pyramids and Stonehenge.

Mr Rose said the World Heritage nomination, which had garnered wide public support, would now face a rigorous 12-month assessment process, including an on-site visit by the International Council on Monuments and Sites next August or September.

He said the benefits of World Heritage listing would include increased tourism.