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YMAC best practice Standards

Standard-4

Engage independent experts

How to implement this Standard

Key elements

  • Suitably experienced external experts should be engaged to assist in the identification of the project’s risks and impacts, the negotiation of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA), and/or other models of economic participation. The Prescribed Body Corporate's (PBC's) and Traditional Owners' concerns should be included in baseline and ongoing feasibility surveys.
  • The range of independent expert advisers includes experts in the following areas:
    • economic, environmental, hydrogeological, cultural heritage, anthropological, scientific, legal, commercial, or social impact;
    • in relation to renewable energy technology (if applicable to a project) in the fields of solar, wind farms, battery storage, overland transmission cabling, desalination plants, nitrogen generation plants, ammonia generation plants, ports, and pipelines; and
    • any other areas of expertise required for the PBC and Traditional Owners to provide their free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) for the project.
  • For PBCs and Traditional Owners to undertake an appropriate level of due diligence for projects on Country, they must be afforded the opportunity to engage independent expert advisers and be properly resourced to do so. This enables provision of relevant information at technical, board and community information meetings, and is a key step in the FPIC process.
  • Reasonable costs for the engagement of independent expert advisers by the PBC should be budgeted for and fully funded by the Proponent.
  • Manage the relationship between the Proponent, PBC and independent advisers to ensure the independence of the independent advisers is not compromised.
  • All information (or at a minimum, a summary where it is commercially confidential) should be able to be discussed by the expert with the PBC.
  • The Proponent must provide the expert advisers engaged with all requested information in a timely manner, so accurate and timely advice can be provided to the PBC.
Examples of independent expert advisers Independent expert advisors graphic
YMAC

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Country is our mother, the provider and keeper of cultural belongings. Country and Culture go together. You can’t have one without the other.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians throughout Western Australia, and on whose Country we work. We acknowledge and respect their deep connection to their lands and waterways.

We honour and pay respect to Elders, and to their ancestors who survived and cared for Country.

Our offices are located on Whadjuk Country, Southern Yamatji Country, Yinggarda Country, Kariyarra Country, and Yawuru Country. We recognise the continuing culture, traditions, stories and living cultures on these lands and commit to building a brighter future together.

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