A series of Regional Standard Heritage Agreements (RSHA) have been negotiated between mining peak industry groups and Native Title representative bodies, with the State Government facilitating and mediated by the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT). The RSHAs provide Aboriginal heritage protection.
The State Government has a policy where applicants for exploration, prospecting and retention licences need to sign and offer a RSHA or prove they have an existing Alternative Heritage Agreement (AHA) in place. This must happen before the applications can be submitted to the Native Title Act 1993 (NTA) Expedited Procedure (Kimberley Region excluded).
The procedure for processing applications for exploration, prospecting and retention licence under the NTA can be found in this information paper. A specially prepared copy of a statutory declaration for an exploration, prospecting and retention licence, which is referred to in the Information Paper, is provided for use at the link above.
Copies of agreements
- Activity Notice - to be used when issuing an 'Activity Notice' under the NSHA - Issued pursuant to Clause 8.2 of the Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement