The Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) is seeking offers for the provision of the Whadjuk Noongar Heritage Monitoring Services.

Scope:

The RIA is seeking the provision of an Aboriginal heritage service to manage and deliver monitoring services for works managed by the Rottnest Island Authority.

As part of its functions to protect and preserve Wadjemup’s cultural heritage, the RIA is seeking the services of a suitably qualified Contractor to provide Whadjuk Aboriginal heritage monitoring services to observe ground disturbance works in order to avoid harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage.

The RIA requires to employ Whadjuk monitors for either one of three main reasons:

(i) it is required as a ministerial condition of consent for a Section 18 permit issued under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972;

(ii) it is requested by the Whadjuk Cultural Advice Committee / Whadjuk Traditional Owners in the response to an Activity Notice issued under the Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement (NSHA); or;

(iii) to offset/manage risks associated with the accidental disturbance of heritage in areas likely to contain significant sites and/or objects (i.e. Monitors are regularly engaged in the Settlement area due to the increased likelihood of uncovering human skeletal material or significant objects).

The monitoring activities are being conducted in line with the Guidelines for the Engagement of Aboriginal Heritage Monitors and the Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement (NSHA). The NSHA was negotiated between the Western Australian Government, the Southwest Aboriginal Land & Sea Council and the six Noongar Native Title Agreement groups. The NSHA came into effect on 8 June 2015 and provides a standard approach for addressing Aboriginal heritage matters in compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) (AHA).

The Contractor is to provide qualified and experienced monitors as identified in the Whadjuk register (HER-List) which contains Whadjuk providers as developed by the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation. It is a requirement that all monitors are adequately trained in Aboriginal cultural heritage protection. This includes but is not limited to, the identification of cultural heritage materials, and an understanding of relevant legislation (such as the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972) and processes.

Monitors must be actively engaged in observing and assessing ground disturbing works as they occur. Passive attendance undermines the integrity of the monitoring process and increases the risk of harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage. This lack of engagement can result in missed opportunities to identify and mitigate heritage risks and breaches of legal obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.

• Delivery of all administrative requirements and management of all risks associated with the provision of monitoring services including managing OHS as per the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (safety, briefing/induction and any other requirements as determined by RIA).

• Ensuring monitors have the appropriate PPE (e.g. long-sleeve shirt and pants, steel cap boots, etc.);

• Ensuring monitors have appropriate certification and clearances e.g. a valid White Card to work on site;

• Scheduling of monitors as per RIA’s requirements;

• Management of conflicts of interest and code of conduct;

• Monthly reporting outlining that monitoring work has been evenly distributed amongst Whadjuk families;

• Organising travel on behalf of the monitors including ferry travel to and from Wadjemup;

• Notifying RIA of any scheduling or Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) related issues;

• Management of all monitor payments and be the point of contact for individual monitors; and

• Assurance that monitoring is shared out between all Whadjuk family groups within the Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA).