Phase 3 of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage co-design process has commenced for the development of the supporting regulations and guidance which will underpin the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021.
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) has published updated guidance documents, informed by the Phase 1 and Phase 2 co-design process, and are seeking input from stakeholders through submissions and workshops for the final round of co-design.
Interested stakeholders are encouraged to register for the relevant workshops – details can be found on the DPLH co-design website along with copies of the Phase 3 co-design documents. CME participated in the workshop held in Perth on Wednesday 30 November.
The development of these supporting documents is critical to the success of the regime, and CME will continue to input into the process of co-design to achieve a practical, workable regulatory framework which functions for all stakeholders.
Please contact David Peirce via email d.peirce@cmewa.com or 0447 547 506 if you would like to discuss any element of this consultation.
Amendments to Land Administration Act 1997 introduced to Parliament
On Wednesday 23 November the Minister for Lands, Hon. John Carey MLA introduced the Land and Public Works Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 into WA Parliament.
This legislation will enable various reforms, with the most critical for the resources sector being the introduction of a new leasehold tenure, diversification leases, and the associated consequential amendments to the Mining Act 1978 to enable these. Diversification leases are intended to facilitate a more flexible form of leasehold tenure, including providing for multiple concurrent land uses over Crown land. Of particular interest to the resources sector is the potential to use diversification leases to facilitate large scale renewable energy projects.
CME has been closely engaged throughout this reform process and participated in targeted consultation on the draft Bill in October 2022. CME provided a submission and we understand no major amendments were made to the Bill prior to introduction.
The Bill was introduced ahead of the end of the 2022 Parliamentary sitting calendar and is an important milestone in this significant legislative reform. We expect the Bill to return and pass in 2023, shifting the focus to the further work required to develop a policy framework to guide the Department and proponents in respect to the application and granting of diversification leases.
CME will continue to ensure members are kept informed. Please contact David Peirce via email d.peirce@cmewa.com or 0447 547 506 to discuss.
