Warriparinga Wetlands

In reply to Mr DULUK (Davenport) (27 July 2015). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): I am advised that the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) are not seeking to acquire any portion of the Warriparinga Wetlands. In relation to the consultation with Aboriginal people regarding impact on Aboriginal Heritage associated with the Darlington Interchange, I can advise:

An advertisement was placed in the public notices column of TheAdvertiser Newspaper on Saturday 10 January 2015 announcing a public meeting scheduled for 22 January to discuss the Darlington Upgrade project and its impact on Aboriginal heritage.

30 letters were mailed out advising relevant Aboriginal parties of the public meeting to discuss the Darlington Upgrade project. Among the recipients of the letter were the Chairperson of the Kaurna Nations Cultural Heritage Association (KNCHA) and the law firm representing KNCHA. Included in the mail-out was an Information Pack summarising the Darlington Upgrade project.

The section 13 consultation meeting then took place on 22 January. Seven members of the Aboriginal community attended. Although the opportunity was provided, neither Kaurna nor Ramindjeri participants raised any concerns about the Tjilbruke Dreaming Tracks at this meeting.

Two submissions were received regarding the Darlington Upgrade project.

As part of the process for engagement of Aboriginal interest groups, DPTI engaged an appropriately qualified consultant to undertake and then report on two separate cultural heritage surveys, representing the interests of both Kaurna and Ramindjeri nations. Members of the Kaurna and Ramindjeri communities were participants, respectively, in the two separate cultural heritage surveys.

The State Aboriginal Heritage Committee which is established under section 7 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 then considered all the information pertaining to the consultations as described above, before providing me with their advice on the application by DPTI. The Crown Solicitor certified that actions undertaken on my behalf did, in his opinion, comply with the provisions of the Aboriginal Heritage Act and common law obligations in relation to procedural fairness.