2.0
CONSULTATION
This chapter outlines the process by which the local Aboriginal stakeholder groups were involved in the assessment process. Documentation regarding this process is contained in Appendix A. The consultation process was undertaken using OEH guidelines, with timeframes equal to or in excess of the required minimums and consisted of the following general steps, with the planned timeframes in brackets, with these timeframes at time longer, but never shorter than planned: •
Contact with the relevant authorities (approximately 2 weeks);
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Initial advertisement (seven week response time);
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Contact with interested stakeholders (seven week response time);
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Initial consultation meeting (at the end of the seven week response time);
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Field survey participation (four weeks after the consultation meetings); and
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Review of the Draft Report (thirteen week response time after completion of draft report).
2.1
Requests for Consultation
The process of consultation for this assessment was undertaken in a comprehensive manner, which aimed at the inclusion of as many relevant Aboriginal Stakeholder Groups as possible in the assessment. For details of specific correspondence, please refer to Appendix A. Rous Water placed advertisements in the Northern Star (18 December, 2010 and 9 January, 2011), Northern Echo (16 December, 2010 and 13 January, 2011) and Koori Mail (12 December, 2010 and 12 January, 2011) newspapers, with an initial request for consultation and general information on the project. Advertisements were made on both sides of the Christmas/New Years break to ensure adequate time and opportunity was provided for Stakeholders to respond. A response time of seven weeks from the initial advertisement was provided. A copy of the advertisements is provided in Appendix A. Additionally, Rous Water wrote to the following government bodies to gather data on known local Aboriginal Groups: •
The OEH EPRG regional office in Coffs Harbour;
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The Ngulingah Local Aboriginal Land Council;
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The Registrar, Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 for a list of Aboriginal owners;
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The National Native Title Tribunal for a list of registered native title claimants, native title holders and registered Indigenous Land Use Agreements;
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The Native Title Services Corporation Limited (NTSCORP Limited);
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Lismore City Council; and
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The Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authorities for contact details of any established Aboriginal reference group.
Only two of the bodies listed above (OEH and The National Native Title Tribunal) returned information regarding known Aboriginal Groups in the area. The information gathered from 23 Proposed Dunoon Dam – Heritage Impact Assessment
