❓ Question regarding a backlog of unprocessed heritage survey reports at the Department for Indigenous Affairs (DIA). The answer acknowledges a backlog due to increased development and reduced resources, with a commitment to address the issue.
AnsweredQoN 1391Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(b) if yes to (a) what is the extent of the backlog; (c) why has the backlog of surveys occurred?
(c) why has the backlog of surveys occurred?
(b) There are about 2000 heritage reports held by DIA that have not been fully analysed to identify site information in the reports. These reports have, however, been catalogued and shelved in the DIA library. In contrast, where sites are reported to the DIA using the recommended site recording forms, the information is entered on the interim register without any undue delay. (c) A great deal of development occurred in Western Australia during the 1990s. DIA was influential in getting developers to carry out surveys and abide by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA). However, the previous Government reduced resources allocated for the administration of the AHA. This Government has made a commitment to remedy this situation and the matter is being addressed.
(c) A great deal of development occurred in Western Australia during the 1990s. DIA was influential in getting developers to carry out surveys and abide by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA). However, the previous Government reduced resources allocated for the administration of the AHA. This Government has made a commitment to remedy this situation and the matter is being addressed.
(c) why has the backlog of surveys occurred?
(b) There are about 2000 heritage reports held by DIA that have not been fully analysed to identify site information in the reports. These reports have, however, been catalogued and shelved in the DIA library. In contrast, where sites are reported to the DIA using the recommended site recording forms, the information is entered on the interim register without any undue delay. (c) A great deal of development occurred in Western Australia during the 1990s. DIA was influential in getting developers to carry out surveys and abide by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA). However, the previous Government reduced resources allocated for the administration of the AHA. This Government has made a commitment to remedy this situation and the matter is being addressed.
(c) A great deal of development occurred in Western Australia during the 1990s. DIA was influential in getting developers to carry out surveys and abide by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA). However, the previous Government reduced resources allocated for the administration of the AHA. This Government has made a commitment to remedy this situation and the matter is being addressed.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 March 2002
Responded by
Minister for Indigenous Affairs
Response time
22 days
(a) There is no legislative requirement for people conducting heritage survey reports to lodge them with the Department for Indigenous Affairs (DIA) or for DIA to search these reports for site information, so it is not appropriate to refer to 'a backlog'. Nevertheless, the DIA encourages the lodgement of reports. In so far as DIA takes on a role to process the reports, a portion of them have not been fully processed.
(b) There are about 2000 heritage reports held by DIA that have not been fully analysed to identify site information in the reports. These reports have, however, been catalogued and shelved in the DIA library. In contrast, where sites are reported to the DIA using the recommended site recording forms, the information is entered on the interim register without any undue delay.
(c) A great deal of development occurred in Western Australia during the 1990s. DIA was influential in getting developers to carry out surveys and abide by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA). However, the previous Government reduced resources allocated for the administration of the AHA. This Government has made a commitment to remedy this situation and the matter is being addressed.
(b) There are about 2000 heritage reports held by DIA that have not been fully analysed to identify site information in the reports. These reports have, however, been catalogued and shelved in the DIA library. In contrast, where sites are reported to the DIA using the recommended site recording forms, the information is entered on the interim register without any undue delay.
(c) A great deal of development occurred in Western Australia during the 1990s. DIA was influential in getting developers to carry out surveys and abide by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA). However, the previous Government reduced resources allocated for the administration of the AHA. This Government has made a commitment to remedy this situation and the matter is being addressed.
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