13/12/05
A State Government project worth $1.1million, which promises to conserve and protect the State's rich indigenous culture and maximise the State's economic potential, was launched today.
Indigenous Affairs Minister John Kobelke said the Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System (AHIS) showed the Gallop Government's commitment to initiatives which both boosted the economy and preserved WA's Aboriginal heritage.
"The AHIS is the chief project in a package of heritage management initiatives developed to help industry, government and indigenous representative bodies gain easier access to better heritage information," Mr Kobelke said.
The 18-month project was developed between the departments of Indigenous Affairs and Industry and Resources, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, the National Native Title Tribunal and Native Title Representative Bodies (NTRBs).
"This project shows how industry-government partnerships can work to benefit the State and how economic development and heritage protection considerations can be balanced," the Minister said.
"AHIS is a response to the Keating Review recommendations to ensure all stakeholders have easier access to information, clearer processes and timely responses.
"The project is part of an ongoing improvement program by the Department of Indigenous Affairs to make the Aboriginal Heritage Act (1972) more effective in protecting and preserving Aboriginal heritage."
The inquiry system will improve an online system introduced in 1998 and will give WA's mining industry, NTRBs, developers and individuals access to improved heritage and site information, in an easier-to-use system.
Visitors can access survey and site details from street addresses or mining tenements, which reduces the time to search for information and to process mining tenement applications.
The AHIS will also offer new information, including heritage survey boundaries and links to heritage reports from site information.
The AHIS also contains guidelines for heritage information inquirers, a standardised Section 18 application form, a new site recording form, and a comprehensive heritage site information website resource.
It will provides access to 4,000 WA heritage survey reports and information on 22,000 sites, with about 400 new surveys and 2,000 site register additions and amendments added to the system each year.
To view the AHIS and other heritage information visit http://www.dia.wa.gov.au
Minister's office: 9222 9211
