South West Shire makes history as the first local government to sign Noongar standard heritage agreement

A South West Shire has made history after being the first of 34 local governments to sign a Noongar standard heritage agreement. The Shire of Capel signed the agreement with Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation last week after a unanimous decision by the council authorising the shire president and acting CEO to enter the agreement. Shire president John Fergusson said it was ground-breaking and “‘long overdue”. “We were both shocked and proud to learn that we were the first to sign this agreement with Gnaala Karla Booja,” Cr Fergusson said. “Council resolved to enter into this agreement unanimously and I find that an enormously encouraging thing. “Any small part we, as a council, can do towards reconciliation is a privilege and staff at the shire whom I have spoken with are extremely keen to ensure a highly collaborative approach to projects and operations with Gnaala Karla Booja for the community that exists today and for those to come in the future. “I would like to call upon the other LGAs and encourage them to sign an agreement with Gnaala Karla Booja and other Aboriginal regional corporations like them.” GKBAC is the regional corporation established to represent the rights and interests of the Noongar people within the GKB Indigenous land use agreement area. GKBAC chair John Penny said the agreement was about respectful, early and meaningful engagement on country. “It affirms Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation’s role as the recognised cultural authority within the ILUA and provides a clear, consistent framework to protect Noongar heritage while supporting informed and considered land use,” Mr Penny. “We acknowledge and congratulate the Shire of Capel for its leadership and commitment to working with us in a genuine partnership that puts culture, country and future generations at the forefront.” Registered on October 17, 2019, the ILUA formed part of the South West Native Title Settlement, agreed between the State government and six Noongar agreement groups, recognising native title rights. GKBAC has a board of six member-elected directors as well as a cultural advice committee of six male elders and six female elders who consider matters relevant to culture and make decisions to promote and protect cultural interests within the ILUA. The NSHA signed by GKBAC and the Capel shire on April 9 provides a standardised and streamlined process for determining when and how heritage surveys are required to be carried out on Noongar lands. This process ensures the checking, managing and protecting of Aboriginal heritage before land development takes place and does so through the application of an agreed framework.