Our team, along with DoT officers, participated in ETNTAC’s cultural inductions and spent significant time on-site.
Recently we further demonstrated that commitment in Western Australia playing a key role in a Bandy Creek Boat Harbour project near Esperance, which has set a new standard for heritage approval processes through early and effective collaboration. Partnering with the Department of Transport (DoT) and the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC), we upgraded an old, narrow timber jetty to a safer, longer, and modern boating jetty.
Recognising the site as a registered Aboriginal Heritage site, DoT initiated discussions with ETNTAC well before seeking formal approvals. This proactive approach is ideally conducted before every project and involves engaging with the ETNTAC Circle of Elders, who provided crucial cultural insights and support for the project. The Elders emphasised the need for additional surveys to identify artefacts and deepen cultural understanding.
“Our team, along with DoT officers, participated in ETNTAC’s cultural inductions and spent significant time on-site. This hands-on experience allowed us to identify areas with high heritage disturbance risks and understand the importance of protecting these sites”, said Project Manager Dylan Woolnough.
The team worked hard managing cultural and local community requirements to complete ahead of schedule, navigating school holidays and not disrupting the annual fishing competition, much to the relief of the local community
Upgraded an old, narrow timber jetty to a safer, longer, and modern boating jetty.
This collaborative effort not only facilitated a smoother approval process but also fostered a deeper respect for cultural heritage. The Bandy Creek Boat Harbour project stands as a model for future initiatives, demonstrating the value of early engagement and cultural sensitivity in heritage projects.
Project Completion and Cultural Awareness
The jetty replacement was completed in late February 2025, providing launch ramp users with a significantly improved and safer jetty. Those who worked on the project not only have the satisfaction of completing works with a community benefit but also gained enhanced cultural heritage awareness that can be applied to their future projects.
2025 Reconciliation Week is 27 May – 3 June. National Reconciliation Week - Reconciliation Australia.
Read about our Reconciliation Action Plan.
ETNTAC Heritage Training on site.
This article is an edited version of the original newsletter story written by DoT.