Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti said the funding increase, included in the 2023-24 State Budget, would support implementation of a new system and ensure the sustainability of Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Services (LACHS).
Under the new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021, LACHS will have a regulatory role to provide advice on Aboriginal cultural heritage, help negotiate and facilitate agreement-making on land-use proposals and take on significant administrative and operational responsibilities.
When established, LACHS will be funded up to $300,000 each year to ensure adequate levels of resourcing and capacity to meet the anticipated service level requirements from proponents, Traditional Owners, Aboriginal communities and individuals.
This significant new commitment will ensure there are sufficient funds reserved to support LACHS across the State as they become operational, as well as support an expansion of government resources in regional WA.
The funding will bolster existing State Government investment to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage, including management of protected areas, maintaining a database of culturally important places, the annual Preserving, Promoting and Protecting Aboriginal Sites grants program and supporting the repatriation of ancestral remains.
The new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 will come into effect from 1 July 2023 and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is currently progressing its implementation.
Aboriginal organisations, prescribed bodies corporate and parties interested in becoming a LACHS can find out more about eligibility at https://wa.gov.au/ach-act
