The GLSC has produced a helpful guide for explorers and miners on how to avoid heritage-related problems with development projects, while fulfilling their obligations under State laws.  

The 4-page guide, Aboriginal Heritage Protection in the Goldfields-Esperance Region, highlights the importance of good-quality heritage surveys as the sure way to avoid time consuming and costly delays.  

In WA, sites of heritage and cultural significance are protected by the Aboriginal Heritage Act (1972). Section 17 of the Act states that it is:

“an offence for any person to excavate, destroy, damage, conceal or in any way alter any ‘Aboriginal site’ without authorisation from the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites or the consent of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs”.

In recognition that there are many very important Aboriginal sites yet to be brought to the Registrar’s attention, the Act applies to all Aboriginal sites, whether registered or not.  

“The GLSC and indigenous people from Goldfields-Esperance share with proponents the desire for prompt, orderly establishment of development projects. No-one wants half-baked surveys that have consulted with the wrong people, requiring that proponents have to re-do them,” Chief Executive Officer Brian Wyatt said.           

“To minimise the chance of damaging Aboriginal sites a proponent should conduct a heritage survey, in collaboration with recognised, bona fide Aboriginal people from the area. The first step is to enter a formal heritage agreement, so that the miner, the Traditional Owners and the heritage consultants each have clarity about the heritage processes that need to be followed.  These agreements work well for all parties”.  

Mr Wyatt said in the Goldfields-Esperance region the GLSC was best placed to advise explorers and miners on heritage matters and organise the conduct of problem-free surveys.  

“We are dealing with heritage surveys and Aboriginal people’s approval of mining and exploration tenement applications on a daily basis. With over 20-years experience as a Native Title Representative Body and representing Aboriginal people in the Federal Court, the GLSC has gathered substantial ethnographic, historical and archaeological data for the whole region and has an extensive network of contacts.  

“Of particular value is the GLSC’s knowledge about which individuals and groups speak for which parts of ‘country’,” Mr Wyatt said.  

More information on Aboriginal heritage issues and assistance with organising heritage surveys is obtainable from GLSC heritage anthropologists Russ Barrett and Beth Woodward (08) 9091 1661.

Media contact: Brian Wyatt 0417 970413; David Berry 0417 963089