Cooperative management committee: community representatives

The WKSN corporation has recently signed a cooperative management agreement to cooperatively manage the Conservation Estate with Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). The Conservation Estate includes lands managed by the DBCA, such as: national parks, nature reserves, conservation parks, marine parks and state forests.

WKSN AC will have six representatives on the cooperative management committee:

• two from the board,

• two from the cultural advice committee, and

• two from the WKSN membership.

The committee will also include 2-6 representatives from DBCA, including relevant district/regional managers.

The board and the cultural advice committee members have already been selected, and we are now calling for expressions of interest process to identify and select the two WKSN community members.

The role of the committee includes:

• Select and advise on identifying conservation estate for formal joint management under CALM Act

• Advise on management plans and Aboriginal heritage issues (including due diligence)

• Advise on relevant policies, programs and other management documents

• Advise on customary activities and local area arrangements

• Advise on Aboriginal employment and economic development initiatives within DBCA

• Review opportunities for Noongar participation in contracting and other economic development activities

• Role does not include undertaking day-to-day management of the Conservation Estate

Selection criteria:

• You must be a member of the WKSN regional corporation.

• Demonstrated experience working/participating in any of the following areas:

• Land management; 

• Conservation and natural resource management; or 

• Aboriginal heritage management.

• Good understanding of Noongar culture and boodja in the WKSN area.

• High-level communication skills.

• You must not have been previously disqualified or be ineligible from being a director of a CATSI corporation or any other business or corporation under Australian law.

For more information download a copy of the Co-operative Management Agreement , or a copy of the Noongar Co-operative and Joint Management of the Conservation Estate fact sheet.

The committee will meet at least 4 times per year. Community representatives will be paid sitting fees and travel allowance as per the Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement rates.

To submit an expression of interest, please send a letter of no more than one page addressing the selection criteria and your CV to ea@wagylkaip.org.au by no later than 7 September 2023.

If you have any questions about the role or about the cooperative management agreement please contact our Lands Manager, Justin McAllister, at justin.mcallister@wagylkaip.org.au.