Derbal Nara, also known as Cockburn Sound, is a culturally enriched area with significant sites, stories, knowledge and songlines of the Noongar people.
It is important that Aboriginal people’s values are recognised and that their traditional ownership of the lands and seas are respected throughout the port development process.
One of Westport’s goals is to deliver meaningful benefits to Noongar people, which includes ensuring cultural and heritage values are protected and enhanced, celebrating culture through design, and creating Aboriginal employment and business opportunities.
The port footprint extends into Whadjuk and Gnaala Karla Booja Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs). Through working closely with the Whadjuk and Gnaala Karla Booja Regional Aboriginal Corporations and the Westport’s Aboriginal Reference Group, Westport is committed to embedding Noongar values into Westport’s decision‑making.
Westport’s Aboriginal Reference Group
Westport’s Aboriginal Reference Group (ARG) provides senior cultural, social, economic and environmental advice to guide Westport during Stage 4 – Definition and Delivery.
The ARG ensures Noongar perspectives, values and knowledge systems continue to shape planning, design, implementation and decision-making throughout the life of the Program. The ARG succeeds the Stage 3 Noongar Advisory Group, evolving the partnership into a more formal governance mechanism that supports cultural integrity and long-term outcomes for Noongar people.
The group includes representatives nominated by the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation, Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation, South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, and local Noongar community members.
Noongar Advisory Group – Stage 3
Preceding the Aboriginal Reference Group was the Noongar Advisory Group, a group of Noongar representatives who provided advice to Westport during Stage 3 of the program.
The group was established prior to the development of the 2024 Westport Business Case and gave valuable advice to contribute to the design and placement of the port in Kwinana.
Peter Farmer’s artwork
Westport’s Aboriginal artwork was designed by Noongar artist Peter Farmer and reflects the strong Noongar connection to the land, sea and animals of Derbal Nara and the journey of Westport and the Noongar community.
Commissioned in 2022 with guidance from the Noongar Advisory Group, the artwork uses the coastal map of the future port area as its basis.
The two Noongar symbols represent the traditional and contemporary communities and knowledge-keepers. The three lines throughout the artwork represent the past, present and future, each an important and significant realm for all life to journey through.
Noongar Totems are also incorporated into the artwork.
- The Yonga (Western Grey Kangaroo) for resilience and tenacity.
- The Emu which has a story connected to celestial navigations and journeys or travel.
- The Taylor (Fish) that is an important resource for this region.
- The Dolphin which is a significant Noongar Ocean Totem and an incredibly smart and intelligent life form.
- The Boyi (long-necked turtle) which has a special and significant meaning to traditional owners from the regions.
Developed in partnership with the former Westport Noongar Advisory Group, the Westport Noongar Opportunities Strategy is guiding the program to ensure benefits are maximised for Noongar communities with the development of the port and supply chain infrastructure.
We report on the progress of the Westport Noongar Opportunities Strategy biannually to track achievements against our strategic objectives.
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In collaboration with the Westport Noongar Advisory Group, Westport commenced the Cultural and Spiritual Values Mapping project in April 2023.
Westport partnered with Winyama, an Aboriginal-owned and operated business specialising in location intelligence, to capture and map Cultural and Spiritual values. A local Noongar Science Facilitator also assisted with process.
Winyama interviewed nine knowledge holders identified by Westport’s Noongar Advisory Group to document marine and terrestrial sites of significance, and the stories connected to them.
Westport now have a comprehensive map of the cultural and spiritual values within Cockburn Sound and the surrounding area. This includes songlines, historical sites, native flora and fauna, and contemporary uses within the mapping bounds.
Westport received permission to use the data, so that locations of cultural significance could be considered during the design process.
