Shire of Manjimup to consult with Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation for Old Vasse Road sealing project

The Shire of Manjimup will consult with an Aboriginal corporation for the remainder of its Old Vasse Road project after concerns were raised with council. The Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation approached the shire earlier this year to seek more information about the project and the council’s due diligence assessment. It then recommended the shire submit an activity notice to the corporation, which would have seen its cultural advice committee determine whether the area had cultural sensitivity. But with council officers noting such a move would delay works, councillors voted 7-2 at this month’s meeting to proceed with the project but to consult with the corporation for parts of the project which, have not already received heritage and environmental approval. Shire president Donelle Buegge said their decision to continue work on Old Vasse Road was based on Karri Karrak’s advice to the council, describing it was a “voluntary consultation”. “The officer’s recommendation was to hold off any works until we consult with Karri Karrak but at this point we’re going to do the works we decided on, which is the (Hawke Road) intersection and the 1km,” she said. “We are going to then consult with them on Old Vasse Road.” Ms Buegge said the council had done their “due diligence” on the present portion of roadworks but would seek to consult and build a relationship with corporation for future works. “It’s about respecting their contribution and their relationship with the land, and us wanting to be respectful of that,” she said. “We don’t have the approval for the rest (of Old Vasse Road), it’s an ongoing project and there are approvals and realignments that we need to seek. “The consultations with Karri Karrak and the broader community will go forward for the rest of the project.” The council also requested chief executive Ben Rose liaise with Main Roads to ensure funding received for the project does not need to be used by the end of the financial year, and to investigate if a heritage agreement can be struck between the council, Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation, and the Wagyl Kaip Aboriginal Corporation. Crs Wendy Eiby and Steve Miolin voted against the decision.