PROJECTS

Causeway Pedestrian & Cyclist Bridges Project

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

client: MAIN ROADs WA

location: PERTH, WA

date: 2021 – 2024

The Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges Project is a significant infrastructure upgrade, linking East Perth and Victoria Park across the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) via Matagarup (Heirisson Island)—a place of deep cultural significance for Whadjuk Noongar people. Given the potential impact on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, ALS was engaged to lead Noongar community engagement and heritage assessments, ensuring the project respects and celebrates the area’s cultural values.

SERVICES PROVIDED

• Noongar community engagement & consultation, including the establishment and facilitation of the Matagarup Elders Group (MEG).
• Heritage assessments, including archaeological and ethnographic site identification surveys.
• Development of an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan (ACHMP) to guide ongoing cultural heritage protection.
• Monitoring of ground disturbance works by Traditional Owners to safeguard cultural sites.
• Cultural interpretation and placemaking, integrating Noongar knowledge into the project’s design.

OUTCOME

As a result of the success of this project, ALS has since been approached to undertake similar work for upcoming large, complex infrastructure and planning projects in the Perth Metropolitan area.  ALS continues to support the project, ensuring Traditional Owners remain central to decision-making.

Development of Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs)

Community Engagement & Capacity Building

client: aLCOA OF aUSTRLIA

location: wa

date: 2023-2024

In June 2023, Alcoa of Australia Limited engaged ALS to develop multiple Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs). These plans establish a structured framework for managing Noongar Cultural Heritage (NCH) values within Alcoa’s construction, mining, and rehabilitation activities in the Gnaala Karla Booja (GKB) ILUA area.

SERVICES PROVIDED

• Conducting an extensive desktop review to establish a strong background context.
• Engaging stakeholders through community consultations led by ALS Environment and Community Facilitator Chris Nutt.
• Facilitating a co-design process between Alcoa, GKB Aboriginal Corporation, and key Traditional Owners to develop tailored CHMPs.
• Aligning the CHMPs with State, National, and International legal, contractual, and best practice requirements.

OUTCOME

The CHMPs provide a dual-purpose solution:

• Operational CHMP – Enhancing community capacity, employment, and enterprise development for local Traditional Owners.
• Compliance CHMP – Supporting Alcoa in navigating regulatory obligations while preserving cultural heritage.

Proposed Marmion Marine Park Expansion

Environmental Management

client: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA)

location: PERTH, WA

date: 2022

In 2022, DBCA engaged ALS to facilitate interim consultation with Whadjuk Traditional Owners regarding the proposed expansion of Marmion Marine Park (MMP). The park’s area will increase from Trigg Point to Two Rocks, more than tripling the existing size. ALS was tasked with mapping cultural values in the coastal lands and waters within the proposed expansion zone to ensure Whadjuk values and aspirations were integrated into the MMP planning process.

SERVICES PROVIDED

ALS facilitated a community-led consultation process, focusing on:

• Documenting Whadjuk cultural values and management concerns for the MMP expansion.
• Ensuring Whadjuk aspirations were reflected in the Indicative Joint Management Plan.
• Aligning the consultation with Noongar practices of country care.

OUTCOME

The consultation process successfully documented Whadjuk Noongar cultural values, fostering a foundation for joint management that will drive positive outcomes for Whadjuk people. This collaborative approach ensures cultural heritage, environmental protection, and socio-economic considerations are embedded in the future management of MMP.

Boddington Gold Mine ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE (ACH) Training

Accredited and Non-Accredited Training

client: Newmont Australia

location: boddington, wa

date: 2023-2024

In 2023-2024, ALS was engaged by Newmont Australia to provide Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (ACH) training to ensure best practices in ACH management. Bill Bennell, Aboriginal Heritage and Engagement Specialist, and Daniel Monks, Archaeologist, delivered training on a range of topics including:

• Legislative compliance
• Identifying potential ACH material
• Stop work procedures
• Salvage and repatriation of identified material
• Understanding the broader cultural landscape and environmental indicators

SERVICES PROVIDED

ALS facilitated:

• Cultural training for internal and external stakeholders.
• Advice on improving ACH management processes and procedures.
• Support in meeting best practice standards for ACH legislative compliance.

OUTCOME

The training and advisory services provided were positively received by Newmont Australia, strengthening their commitment to cultural heritage management, community engagement, and social licence to operate. ALS continues to support Newmont with ongoing ACH advisory services and training for Cultural Monitors in collaboration with local Traditional Owners.

Site ID Ethnographic Survey & Stream Crossing Assessment

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

client: Alcoa of Australia

location: Pinjarra, WA

date: 2023

In 2023, ALS was engaged by Alcoa to undertake an Ethnographic Site Identification heritage survey for planned mining exploration areas, aiming to minimise risks under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. A targeted survey was also conducted for Stream Crossing locations to support haul road infrastructure. ALS Heritage Consultants, alongside Gnaala Karla Booja Cultural Advisory Committee (GKBAC) and Noongar participants, completed an 8-day survey across the identified sites.

SERVICES PROVIDED

ALS’s work included:

• Ethnographic and Archaeological Surveys at designated areas and crossing sites.
• Review of heritage-related history, DPLH Sites, and associated reports.
• Detailed survey report with recommendations for alternative stream crossing locations to protect cultural values.

OUTCOME

ALS provided key advice to Alcoa on how to avoid breaching the Aboriginal Heritage Act, ensuring ethno-botanical values were preserved. This project continues ALS’s long-term relationship with Alcoa, where we provide Aboriginal cultural heritage services, Cultural Heritage Management Plans, and community engagement to ensure cultural integrity and legislative compliance across large-scale projects in the Gnaala Karla Booja ILUA. Our recommendations were critical in allowing Alcoa to proceed with their project in a socially responsible manner while safeguarding cultural heritage.

Kemerton Social impact assessment (SIA)

Environmental Management

client: development wa

location: kemerton, wa

date: 2023

In 2023, ALS was engaged by DevWA to undertake a Cultural Heritage Values assessment to inform the development of a Noongar Cultural Heritage Management Plan (NCHMP) for the Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area. Located on Bindjareb Country within the GKB Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) region, the project is overseen by the GKB Aboriginal Corporation.

SERVICES PROVIDED

ALS conducted the following activities to support the NCHMP:

• Review of previous heritage surveys within the project area.
• Review of recommendations from a prior survey with GKB Cultural Advice Committee members.
• Two-day onsite consultation involving key representatives from GKB, DevWA, and environmental consultants.

OUTCOME

The resulting NCHMP serves as both a prescriptive framework for Aboriginal Heritage legislative compliance and a dynamic tool, responsive to Noongar stakeholder recommendations. It has been developed with consideration for State, National, and International legal requirements and best practices, ensuring a comprehensive approach to cultural heritage management for the Kemerton SIA project.