The first three Local Aboriginal Heritage Service providers have been announced and two are from the Pilbara

Two Pilbara Native Title organisations have been appointed as a Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Services and will now have capacity to provide advice and regulation on the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act. Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation and a second organisation, who have not yet been revealed, were approved by the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Council and will help negotiate and facilitate agreements on land use proposals now the ACH act has come into effect. Karajarri Traditional Lands Association from the Kimberley was announced as the third organisation to provide a LACHS. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti said the three organisations were appointed because of their values and experience. “Each organisation is highly experienced and well respected for their collaboration in agreement making and has an unwavering commitment to protect and manage the cultural heritage values of their country for future generations,” he said. “A further 31 Aboriginal organisations have commenced the process to become a LACHS sharing $2.3 million in initial grant funding to assist with their applications to the council. “The modernised laws provide a simpler, fairer system with practical exemptions for the first time and most importantly focus on agreement making with Aboriginal people for any activities that may impact or harm Aboriginal cultural heritage.” Each organisation will receive $200,000 grant from the State Government to build the capacity to undertake the new role and will also receive up to $300,000 a year. The State Government has budgeted $87 million for Aboriginal cultural heritage.