Heritage protection agreement for WA

A Yued Heritage Protection Agreement with a third Renewable Energy Developer has demonstrated the pressure WA’s clean energy transition is putting on the State’s Traditional Owners to respond.

Yued Aboriginal Corporation, representing Yued interests across the coastal MidWest and inland WA, is working with companies like Neoen Australia to ensure that Yued people are taking part in and benefiting from the significant investment planned to occur on their lands and waters.

The Yued Heritage Protection Agreement has established the processes by which consideration is given to activities planned by project proponents.

Under the agreement proponents submit their planned Activity Notice which is considered by the corporation’s Cultural Advice Committee. The committee then provides advice to the management team on how to best ensure that cultural heritage is identified and protected.

“An international company like Neoen Australia knows that having strong relationships with Traditional Owners is a globally important standard of corporate conduct,” Rewi Lyall, Chief Executive Officer of the Yued Aboriginal Corporation, said.

“The Yued Heritage Protection Agreement delivers certainty and ensures its workers and contractors don’t inadvertently harm Yued cultural heritage.”

“This commitment to heritage protection is a good start. We look forward to working with Neoen Australia towards an agreed path forward together.”

Lisa Stiebel, Head of Engagement at Neoen Australia said her organisation valued its partnership with the Yued Aboriginal Corporation and recognised that genuine collaboration with Traditional Owners was essential.

“The Yued Heritage Protection Agreement reflects a shared commitment to protecting cultural heritage and provides clarity and confidence for all parties, ensuring that workers and contractors operate in alignment in the protection of Yued cultural heritage,” she said.