Noongar Heritage Partnership Agreements - South West Native Title Settlement

The Noongar Heritage Partnership Agreement (NHPA) provides a framework for the department and each of the six Noongar Regional Corporations to work in partnership to improve the recording, protection and preservation of Aboriginal sites within the Settlement Area.

The key objectives of the NHPA are to improve:

• Aboriginal site preservation and management
• data on the Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System (AHIS)
• the exchange of information with regard to Aboriginal sites between the DPLH and Noongar people, as facilitated by the six Noongar Regional Corporations.

The Noongar Regional Corporations, via Steering Groups to be established for each of the six NHPAs, will become the key channel for Noongar people to formally raise all matters concerning Noongar Aboriginal heritage. The Steering Groups will:

• advise the department on Aboriginal heritage matters within the six ILUA areas
• create and amend local and regional Heritage Management Plans within the six ILUA areas
• provide recommendations and advice to the DPLH to inform decisions on the application of Sections 16, 18, 19 and 20 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA)
• provide advice and work with the department in the preparation of policies, programs and other heritage management documents for the six ILUA areas
• provide advice and work with the department on the development of Aboriginal heritage training and employment initiatives within the six ILUA areas.