GINGIN – A new heritage agreement has been signed for a proposed battery project in Western Australia, with parties confirming the deal sets processes to protect cultural heritage and introduces a revolutionary concept to development: asking first.
A spokesperson for the project said the agreement marks “the beginning of a relationship”, which in corporate terms means: one meeting, two photos and a commitment to “ongoing engagement” until the bulldozers arrive.
The agreement outlines how cultural heritage considerations will be handled, which the company described as “core to our mission” and then immediately placed under a subheading titled Risk Management.
Community leaders welcomed the agreement as a practical step, while also reminding everyone that heritage protection is not a branding exercise or a checkbox – a statement that caused mild distress among consultants who had already designed the “Heritage Heroes” lanyards.
A project spokesperson said the development will support the clean energy transition and help store electricity for when WA needs it most, such as during heatwaves, footy finals and the exact moment a minister announces “we’re delivering”.
The company also confirmed it will be investing in cultural capability by ensuring all staff know the difference between “Country” and “countryside”.
“We’re proud to do this respectfully” the spokesperson said. “That’s why we’ve created a Cultural Heritage Portal where you can lodge concerns in triplicate.”
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