The Western Australian government has released its response to a major review of Native Title and Aboriginal cultural heritage processes in the state’s mining and exploration sector, announcing a package of reforms backed by new funding and a commitment to work alongside Traditional Owners and industry.
Central to the reforms is the introduction of a new Aboriginal cultural heritage standard for exploration and prospecting activities.
The standard is designed to provide greater certainty around costs, requirements, and protections for all parties involved.
Alongside this, the government is considering an incentive payment for Native Title parties to facilitate approvals, a measure aimed at encouraging timely and cooperative decision-making.
The reforms represent the WA government’s formal response to the Glen Kelly Review of Native Title and Cultural Heritage Processes, which was led by the National Native Title Tribunal with support from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
The final report was delivered to the government in February.
The response package covers several areas of reform.
Clearer guidance will be developed to support participation and decision-making across the sector.
Heritage consultants will face stronger professional standards through the introduction of a code of conduct and a certification system.
Improved access to information will also be rolled out to encourage earlier engagement between industry and Traditional Owners, with the aim of reducing disputes and delays further down the project pipeline.
At a structural level, a State-wide Native Title Party Support Strategy will be developed to build capacity among Prescribed Bodies Corporate and other Native Title organisations.
The strategy will sit alongside measures to strengthen engagement processes and improve dispute resolution pathways.
To fund implementation of the review’s recommendations, the government has allocated an additional $3.2 million.
This investment builds on existing commitments, most notably the $58 million Native Title Party Capacity Building Program, which supports organisations to manage and protect cultural heritage across the state.
The government has also previously appointed a dedicated deputy director general of Lands and Heritage within the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, reflecting a broader effort to lift the profile and resourcing of heritage-related functions in government.
The reforms come as Western Australia’s resources sector continues to operate across land subject to Native Title, with cultural heritage management remaining a critical and at times contested aspect of project approvals.
The Kelly Review was commissioned to examine how existing processes could be improved to deliver better outcomes for Traditional Owners while providing greater regulatory clarity for the exploration and mining industries.
The government has indicated it will continue to work with Traditional Owners and industry stakeholders as the reforms are developed and implemented.
Full details of the final report and the Western Australian government response are available at the Department of the Premier and Cabinet website.
