Statement from Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation

Following on from an article published yesterday by the ABC regarding the development at Lot 495 Moses Rock Road, Wilyabrup, the Corporation, as the representative Regional Corporation for the Wardandi, Piblemen, and Kaneang people, advises that it has objected to the development, in its current form, via a submission to the State Development Assessment Unit.

In its objection, the Corporation cites the proposed development:

• Disregards the statutory and governance structures established under the South West Native Title Settlement and Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA);

• Fails to meet basic standards for environmental and bushfire risk management and community safety; and

• Compromises the rights of Traditional Custodians and exposes Boodja (Country) to potentially irreversible cultural and environmental harm. 

The Corporation also objects, in the strongest terms, to statements in the ABC article that seek to confer any representative role on Undalup Association.

Undalup Association, as outlined in the Corporation’s objection, is a privately operated, family-owned entity that does not hold statutory authority under the Settlement to endorse or approve development proposals on behalf of the Regional Agreement Group.

Should the proposed development continue to seek to circumvent the rights and interests of all Wardandi people, who fought, under the Settlement, to ensure they would be represented fairly, equally and transparently by Karri Karrak, the Corporation will pursue all available avenues to ensure those rights and interests are respected.

Karri Karrak remains committed to working collaboratively with the Proponent and the State Development Assessment Unit to ensure that any future proposal is grounded in genuine consultation, respect for Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, environmental responsibility, and shared community benefit.

Download: The Corporation’s submission (PDF 513KB)