smh.com.au
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation Ends Contract with Heritage Provider
The Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation terminated its contract with South West Aboriginal Land Services, its heritage service provider, effective immediately, impacting numerous projects requiring cultural heritage clearances across Perth and potentially causing delays; the corporation will handle heritage assessments internally.
- What is the immediate impact of Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation's decision to end its contract with South West Aboriginal Land Services on development projects in Perth?
- The Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) terminated its contract with South West Aboriginal Land Services (SWALS), its heritage service provider, and will handle heritage assessments internally. This decision impacts Perth councils, agencies, and developers relying on WAC for cultural heritage work and Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs). WAC aims to improve oversight and align heritage management with its cultural responsibilities and governance.
- How might WAC's internalization of heritage services affect its ability to manage the significant workload associated with the South West Native Title Settlement and large projects like Perth Airport's expansion?
- WAC's termination of its contract with SWALS signifies a shift in how heritage assessments are conducted in the Perth region, potentially impacting timelines and procedures for projects requiring cultural heritage clearances. The decision follows recent operational disruptions for WAC, including a period of suspension. The in-house approach intends to strengthen WAC's control over heritage matters related to the $1.3 billion South West Native Title Settlement.
- What are the potential long-term implications of WAC's decision for the efficiency and effectiveness of cultural heritage assessments in the Perth metropolitan area and its relationship with government agencies and developers?
- WAC's internalization of heritage services may create both opportunities and challenges. While it offers greater control and alignment with cultural responsibilities, it necessitates building internal capacity and could potentially cause delays in processing assessments. The impact on major projects like Perth Airport's $2.5 billion third runway, which requires extensive heritage assessments, will be a key factor in assessing the long-term consequences.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the internal restructuring and challenges faced by the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation. While the impact on external stakeholders is mentioned, the focus remains primarily on the corporation's actions and rationale. The headline, if present, would likely emphasize the corporation's decision to terminate the contract, rather than the wider implications for heritage approvals.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, although phrases like "strongly worded statement" and "upheavals" might carry slightly negative connotations. However, these are descriptive and largely justified within the context of the events.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the internal issues of the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation and its decision to sever ties with its heritage service provider. While it mentions the impact on councils, government agencies, and developers, it lacks detail on specific projects affected beyond the Perth Airport third runway. The potential broader consequences of this decision on heritage approvals across Perth are not fully explored. Omission of specific examples of past heritage work by SWALS and details about the reasons behind the termination could leave the reader with an incomplete understanding of the situation.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't present a false dichotomy, but the narrative subtly implies that bringing heritage work in-house is the only solution, without exploring alternative solutions or the potential drawbacks of this approach.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation taking control of its heritage work promotes better governance and strengthens its ability to protect cultural heritage, contributing to more just and equitable outcomes for the Indigenous community. The resolution of internal issues and resumption of operations demonstrate progress towards stable institutional capacity.