Aboriginal Heritage Survey Program opened

The Department for Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) has recently opened the Aboriginal Heritage Survey Program.

The State Government ten-year Heritage Survey Program aims to support eligible applicants to fund Aboriginal heritage surveys on unsurveyed or high priority areas of the State.  The Survey Program was announced alongside the commencement of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 in November 2023.

Aboriginal Heritage Surveys assist with the recognition, management, protection and preservation of Aboriginal sites and heritage places in Western Australia.  Applications for the Heritage Survey Program can be made through the DPLH ACHknowledge portal.

WALGA is seeking further clarity on the eligibility and criteria for the survey program, in addition to long-standing requests for sector support and guidance in their compliance with the legislation.

The WALGA Community Policy team are keen to hear Members’ experiences of the current legislation, including costs and timeframes for critical projects and clarity of requirements and approval pathways.

Please email your comments to community@walga.asn.au.