Question On Notice No. 1453 asked in the Legislative Council on 14 August 2018 by Hon Robin Chapple
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the correspondence between the Minister and Cross Country Native Title Services on both 17 March 2018 and 3 April 2018, concerning the Minnie Creek and Central Bore Aboriginal sacred sites, and I ask:
(a) has the Minister received both pieces of correspondence;
(b) if yes to (a), what action is being taken;
(c) have any significant Aboriginal cultural materials been damaged or removed by any party from the Minnie Creek and/or Central Bore area;
(d) was consent sought under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 by Gold Road Resources for the proposed Gruyere gold mine; and
(e) if material was removed, destroyed or damaged without consent under section 18, what action will the Minister undertake?
Answered on 11 September 2018
(a) The Minister received correspondence from the Cross Country Native Title Services in March and April 2017, and responded on 16 May 2017.
(b) The Minister referred the matter to the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites. The Registrar met with Aboriginal informants in Kalgoorlie and Laverton on 25 April 2017 to discuss the concerns raised. The Registrar also met with representatives from Gold Road Resources on 3 May 2017 following discussions with Aboriginal stakeholders in the Goldfields.
(c) A complaint was received by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage in May 2018 that artefacts were being removed from the Cosmo Newberry Aboriginal Reserve and being stored at the Cosmo Newberry Aboriginal Community. An investigation into the matter is underway.
(d) On 17 May 2017, a notice was submitted by Gold Fields Australia Pty Ltd, on behalf of Gruyere Mining Company Pty Ltd and Gold Road Resources, under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The notice sought consent over a portion of the Gruyere gold mine for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Gruyere Gold Project Gas Pipeline and communications cable. Consent with conditions was granted on 30 October 2017. No other notices under section 18 relating to the proposed Gruyere gold mine have been received.
(e) The outcome of the investigation into the removal of artefacts from the Cosmo Newberry Aboriginal Reserve will determine what action (if any) will be taken.