Source: abc news by david weber

Roe Highway Indigenous consultation
criticised amid concern for North,
Bibra Lake sacred sites

Photo: The approval of the Roe Highway extension
has prompted anger among traditional owners. 

But the surveys from 2010 and in 2012 show a majority of those consulted opposed Roe 8.
The WA Government has said the cultural heritage assessment reports were carried out by an independent heritage consultancy and are confidential.

A copy of the report on the 2010 consultation, obtained by the ABC, reveals 54 traditional owners were consulted, with 26 "expressing approval" and 28 "not in favour".

A majority of those who expressed opposition to the road said they still wanted to be fully consulted on the progress of the development, while others sought to drop out of the process altogether.

It seems like it was done and dusted when they spoke to us.

Reverend Sealin Garlett

A report on the second consultation, in 2012, shows that of the 45 people surveyed, most "remained opposed to the highway extension plans".

The process sparked concern that some supporters of the road who were consulted had no right to participate in the voting.

Reverend Sealin Garlett, who was involved in both consultations, described the process as "absolutely disappointing".

"We made it very clear, the situation on our part, but the views on our part have been seen as irrelevant," Reverend Garlett said.

"They came to listen and we thought that was good but this was going to be the outcome that they had drawn up. It seems like it was done and dusted when they spoke to us."

There is a lot more of the story to read HERE