The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage has introduced fees for proponents under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage system.
The Department said the cost recovery model would underpin $77 million in allocations over the next four years to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
“The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 will come into effect on 1 July, with a focus on agreement-making between land use proponents and Aboriginal people,” the Department said.
“The Act requires proponents to submit a management plan to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Council for approval. These plans must detail the consultation undertaken, consent provided and the range of agreed measures to protect local Aboriginal cultural heritage.”
It said the scalable fee model would be based on company size, global revenue and Australian Tax Office company definitions. It would apply an equitable fee to proponents.
The Department said the model would begin with a nominal $100 administrative fee for permits, similar to other Government processes for issuing licences and permits.
“A scale of fixed and variable fees will apply thereafter for Government Agencies or private organisations,” it said.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Tony Buti said this was a completely new system for managing and protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage in Western Australia — “one that is fairer and more consultative than what was developed more than 50 years ago”.
“Cost recovery is an essential component of the new system, with the majority of costs to be recovered relating to moderate to high-ground disturbance and where there is risk of impact or harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage,” Dr Buti said.
“Where there is no risk of impact to Aboriginal cultural heritage, no approval is required and there is no fee payable — but where there is risk, we are putting the right mechanisms in place now to ensure that all parts of this new legislative framework are funded appropriately.”
More information about the new laws and processes can be accessed at this PS News link.
