WA Aboriginal Climate Adaptation Project – Engagement and Consultation

What is the WA Aboriginal Climate Adaptation Project?

The WA Aboriginal Climate Adaptation Project is a State Government initiative under the WA Climate Adaptation Strategy that aims to engage with Aboriginal leaders and regional communities to build trust, share knowledge and design a dedicated fund for Aboriginal-led climate adaptation projects.

Who is leading the project?

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) is leading the project, and is partnering with Aboriginal consultancy, Kaala Barna & Nous Group.

The intention is for DWER to work in partnership with Aboriginal people based on the needs and aspirations of community.

Why is the State Government consulting on a Fund for Aboriginal-led Climate adaptation projects?             

In consultation with Traditional Owner groups on the Climate Adaptation Strategy, a significant proportion of Aboriginal representatives outlined a desire for greater involvement in building Western Australia’s climate resilience and additional support and funding for Aboriginal-led climate change adaptation projects. 

How does this project relate to Closing the Gap?

The WA Aboriginal Climate Adaptation Project represents a dual opportunity for the State to progress the self-determination of Aboriginal people and strengthen their capacity for climate change adaptation and resilience. The project will apply the principles of empowerment and self-determination set out in the WA Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy 2021-2029 and contribute towards the priority reforms and socio-economic outcomes of the WA Implementation Plan for Closing the Gap.

The project presents an opportunity to progress the priority reforms related to strengthening formal partnerships and shared decision-making with Aboriginal people, building the Aboriginal community-controlled organisation (ACCO) sector and transforming government processes and systems. 

How long is the consultation period?   

The WA Aboriginal Climate Adaptation Project will incorporate a 12-week consultation period which includes:

• early engagement activities
• two rounds of on Country (in person) workshops tailored for specific stakeholder groups
• additional online workshops
• an online survey
• written submissions via email.

Who is the State Government consulting as part of this project?              

A diverse group of stakeholders will be consulted on the WA Aboriginal Climate Adaptation Project including:

• Elders and Traditional Owners 
• Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate (more commonly known as Prescribed Bodies Corporate - PBCs) 
• Aboriginal peak bodies 
• Aboriginal community-controlled organisations 
• Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations 
• Aboriginal businesses 
• Aboriginal land and sea councils/ Native Title representative bodies 
• Aboriginal academics and representatives from University’s 
• Aboriginal young people representatives 
• Aboriginal advisory groups and councils.  
   

What is the purpose of the workshops? 

Workshops will help empower Aboriginal leadership and create spaces for deep listening to Aboriginal knowledge.

The workshops aim to build trust, understand the impacts of climate change on Aboriginal communities, and collaborate on the development of a Fund for Aboriginal-led climate adaptation projects, including identifying priority Aboriginal-led adaptation projects and initiatives, including regionally specific measures, that could potentially be funded. Insights from the workshops also aims to identify key considerations to guide the design and development of a Fund.

What regions will be covered during consultation?

The consultation process will include on Country regional workshops and two rounds of consultation.  Additional online workshop options will be available if there is interest from specific groups of stakeholders. 

The regional workshops will cover each WA region, locations including:

• Esperance
• Albany
• Kalgoorlie
• Katanning
• Bunbury
• Mandurah
• Northam
• Geraldton
• Karratha
• Broome
• Fitzroy Crossing
• Kununurra 

How will feedback be used?

Feedback from workshops and other engagement methods will be a key input to the design of the proposed Fund. Where appropriate, feedback will also inform development of future adaptation and resilience activities. 

Will workshop participants receive updates?

Yes. Consultation outcomes will be shared with workshop participants aligned with principles of Free Prior and Informed Consent and Indigenous Data Sovereignty. This is essential for the respectful sharing of knowledge and is recognised as best practice when engaging with Indigenous knowledge systems.

All workshop participants will receive updates through close-out sessions, written summaries and visual materials.

How can I participate if I can’t attend an in-person workshop?

You can participate via online workshops, surveys, or by submitting written feedback via WAACA@KaalaBarna.com.au 

What happens after the consultation?

Key findings from the consultation will be presented to stakeholders in close-out sessions. These findings will inform the final design of the proposed Fund, which will be subject to further Government consideration.

Who is eligible for paid participation?

Individuals with lived experience relevant to the engagement activity, including Aboriginal Elders, community leaders and community members, are eligible for paid participation. Eligibility for paid participation is defined in Appendix 1 of the Community Paid Participation Policy and excludes those participating in a professional or representative capacity. (A link to the Community Paid Participation Policy will be included when published)

What are the payment rates?

Payment is based on role and duration of participation: active participants receive $100 (half day) or $200 (full day); advisors receive $200 (half day) or $400 (full day); Aboriginal Elders or community leaders receive $250 (half day) or $500 (full day). (A link to the Community Paid Participation Policy will be included when published)

How are payments processed?

Payments are made after the activity, following approval by DWER. Participants must complete a statement by a supplier form and provide bank details or request a cheque. (A link to the Community Paid Participation Policy will be included when published)

What do I need to do to receive payment?

If you are eligible, under Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements, you must complete an ATO Statement by a Supplier form declaring you are not operating as a business.

Will the fund also support decarbonisation and energy transition projects led by Aboriginal people? 

The fund could potentially support a range of projects that respond to climate change, including climate Aboriginal-led adaptation, resilience, decarbonisation and energy projects. The scope of the proposed fund will be informed by priority projects identified by Aboriginal people across the regions.

Subject to establishment of the proposed fund, the Fund could potentially support projects identified as part of this consultation process, or other projects not specifically identified but important to delivering climate resilience outcomes for Aboriginal people. This may include new or existing projects. 

How does this project relate to the First Nations National Climate Risk Assessment? 

The First Nations National Climate Risk Assessment identifies climate change is impacting Aboriginal people’s self-determination. Climate change has been identified as a risk to self-determination and these risks will change over time.

Identified risks to Aboriginal people’s self-determination include risks to:

• health, wellbeing and identity
• cultural knowledge, practices, values and sites
• economic participation, including social and economic development
• Country, including land and sea through the changing climate
• water and food security
• communities and settlements. 

WA Aboriginal Climate Adaptation Project recognises these risks and is intended to facilitate projects led by Aboriginal people to help mitigate the risks climate change poses to Aboriginal people’s self-determination. 

How does this project relate to the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy? 

The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy is a national framework to guide investment, influence policy, and support First Nations people to self-determine how they participate in, and benefit from, Australia’s clean energy transition.

The clean energy transition is a critical moment for Australia’s relationship with First Nations peoples. The Strategy is a 5-year national framework for action that will help all governments, industry and community members to work together to create opportunities for First Nations people to make their own choices and gain social and economic benefits through the energy transition.

There are potential synergies and alignment with the WA Aboriginal Climate Adaptation Project and the Strategy. Strategy objectives align with fund objectives. The fund could potentially support decarbonisation and energy transition projects led by Aboriginal people.  

Can Aboriginal groups be assured that funding will be made available for Aboriginal-led adaptation projects through the proposed fund? 

This consultation process is an opportunity to inform future funding arrangements for WA Aboriginal Climate Adaptation.

Consultation undertaken as part of WA Aboriginal Climate Adaptation will provide a better understanding of the issues of importance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to address matters related to climate change, ensuring future funding for climate adaptation and resilience is based on community priorities (making space for Aboriginal ways of knowing, doing, and leading). 

The establishment of the fund will ultimately require consideration and approval by the Minister for Climate Resilience and Cabinet.

When will funding be available for Aboriginal-led projects?

Subject of further Government consideration and approval, funding for Aboriginal-led projects may be available from the 2026-27 financial year.