The Western Australian Government has addressed native title and Aboriginal heritage requirements to establish the Browse LNG Precinct south of James Price Point in the Kimberley.
Native title
A native title agreement over the proposed site was finalised with the Goolarabooloo Jabirr Jabirr native title claimant group in June 2011. The agreement ensures social and economic benefits for the Traditional Owners and the broader Aboriginal community of the region.
This agreement is detailed in three documents – the Browse LNG Precinct Project Agreement, the Browse LNG Precinct Regional Benefits Agreement, and the Browse (Land) Agreement.
On 11 November 2013, the Western Australian Government completed the acquisition of land for the precinct, triggering the creation of a $10 million economic development fund and a $20 million fund for Aboriginal housing. The media statement can be accessed online.
As the Goolarabooloo Jabirr Jabirr native title claim has been discontinued, these funds will be held in trust until native title over the area is determined.
Aboriginal heritage
The State Government chose the site in part because any impacts on the registered Aboriginal heritage sites could be managed. The Strategic Assessment of the project details management measures that would be applied to mitigate risk and address any potential impacts on Aboriginal heritage at the site.
The Browse LNG Precinct Project Agreement (Schedule 7) also outlines cultural heritage management principles and outlines requirements for cultural heritage management plans to be agreed between site managers and the native title party, consistent with the Western Australian Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, and where applicable the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protections Act 1984.