Education workshop session on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act set to be held at Waroona Memorial Hall

Peel and South West landowners will be able to learn more about the new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act later this month. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage will host an education workshop session at the Waroona Memorial Hall on July 31 as it tries to calm community anxiety around the new legislation. The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act was passed by State Parliament in 2021 in part to prevent a repeat of the destruction of Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara three years ago, but has been in effect only since July 1. However, education rather than enforcement will be key priority for the first 12 months amid confusion around the impacts of the legislation. State Government guidelines say approvals under the Act will not be required for agricultural activities such as crop planting, running livestock or replacing existing infrastructure such as fencing. The session will be held at the Waroona Memorial Hall between 10am and 11.30am. Lunch will be provided. Participants are asked to register online to attend. For details, email achimplementation@dplh.wa.gov.au.