The Indigenous Cultural Heritage Program is continuing to protect, enhance and conserve all aspects of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal culture and heritage within the Perth Region. The Program also focuses on strengthening existing relationships and building new relationships with the Aboriginal community and related stakeholders. Perth Region NRM Indigenous and Cultural Heritage projects are funded by Caring for our Country, the State Government and Coastwest.
Perth Region NRM Indigenous NRM Advisory Group
This year Perth Region NRM appointed new members to the advisory group as well as a new
chairperson. The group consists of representatives from Local and State government and private
agencies as well as community representatives.
The advisory group continues to provide advice and direction on projects managed under the Indigenous NRM Program. They also guided the development of targets and objectives for the Perth Region NRM Strategy and the Perth Region NRM Reconciliation Action Plan.
The group also provide a forum for the Aboriginal community to counsel on current NRM activities and provide comment on the current and future projects.
Indigenous NRM Coordinator
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan Template
In August 2008 the Perth Region NRM Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan Template (ACHMPT) was launched by the honourable Michelle Roberts Minister for Housing and Works; Heritage; Indigenous Affairs; Land Information and the honourable Kim Chance Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; the Midwest and Wheatbelt The ACHMPT is designed to be used by Local Government to provide direction for the protection and enhancement of Aboriginal culture and heritage in the Perth Region.
The ACHMPT is intended to be used when developing projects and management plans that aim to engage Aboriginal people and incorporate their traditional knowledge as part of the planning, implementation and operations processes.
Reconciliation Action Plan
The development of the Perth Region NRM Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) will enhance relationships with the Indigenous community and assist in the national effort to close the 17 year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians. In addition Perth Region NRM aim to set a benchmark for increasing Indigenous involvement in NRM whilst providing support for Indigenous people to achieve equality in all aspects of life – a goal which will benefit Australia.
The Indigenous NRM Coordinator continues to sit on the Environment Consultative group and the Perth Airport Advisory Board, assisting them with the management of Aboriginal culture and heritage within the Perth Airport precinct.
Indigenous Coastal and Marine Officer
In 2008-09 Coast West in conjunction with Perth Region NRM continued to fund a position for an Indigenous Coastal and Marine Officer. The aim of the Officer is to develop projects that build partnerships with the 12 Local Government Councils along the coast of the Perth Metropolitan area and build solid relationships between the Indigenous community and their Local Government.
Some of the projects that have been undertaken in 2008-09 include the launch and extension of the Nyoongar Coastal Trail and the launch of the Kwinana Beach Bush Tucker Trail.
The Launch of the Nyoongar Coastal trail took place at Mudurrup Rocks in the Town of Cottesloe. The Nyoongar Coastal Trail proposes an extension to the existing identified trail to identify an additional 4 sites, including:
• North side of Garden Island,
• Clontarf Hill City of Fremantle,
• Woodman Point City of Cockburn, and
• A site in Mandurah.
The Indigenous Coastal and Marine Officer continues to work closely with Local Governments with coastal boundaries in assisting them to engage with the Aboriginal community.
Perth Region NRM Aboriginal Liaison Officer
The Perth Region NRM Aboriginal Liaison officer was funded for six months by Perth Region NRM and hosted by the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council. The aim of this position was to assist Perth Region NRM’s Stakeholders with Indigenous engagement, Aboriginal Heritage Act application and Swan Alcoa Landcare Program funding applications.
The Liaison Officer provided support and facilitated the consultation requirements for the Perth Region NRM Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan Template.
The Liaison Officer also assisted stakeholders in the completion of the section 18 processes outlined in the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Liaison Officer developed a Memorandum of understanding between Perth Region NRM and the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council.
Partnerships
Perth Region NRM employed an Aboriginal Liaison Officer located within the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council.
Perth Region NRM also consults with the SWALSC Aboriginal Metropolitan Working Group, to receive approval on specific projects relating to the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage within the Perth Region.
Click here for more information on the Noongar Consultation Project.