A major tree-planting event along the banks of the Canning River in Perth has been cancelled after the head of a local Aboriginal corporation demanded $2.5 million (US$1.7 million) citing cultural heritage laws.
The now-former CEO of the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation, David Collard, cited Western Australia’s contentious Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 as the reason for the demand, according to 7 News.
The Act was supposed to protect culturally significant landmarks in the state from potential “harm” and was updated following the destruction of the Juukan Gorge by mining giant Rio Tinto.
Yet there are concerns the laws lack clarity and farmers and landowners could be easily caught up in red tape or face heavy penalties….