Representatives of local groups have undertaken important roles as Cultural Heritage Monitors since construction work commenced on the Port Hedland-to-Telfer gas pipeline construction project.

The monitoring role is part of the Infrastructure Corridor Agreement between the Native Title claimants and Newcrest Mining Ltd. Indigenous monitors representing all the groups have been employed to help protect Aboriginal heritage and their distinctive cultures. The Indigenous monitors balance two principal tasks. As Newcrest employees, they are keen to see the pipeline construction progress as smoothly as possible and, as representatives of their people, they are caretakers of Traditional Aboriginal heritage, and Australia’s ancient history. To date, Newcrest has employed about 45 monitors on clear and grade, ditching and excavating operations. The monitors have given clearances for special pits to be used, for truck turnaround areas, and for building of dams. The monitors have lived and worked with the McConnell Dowell crews and fitted into their allotted teams extremely well. Four more young Martu men and two other Aboriginal men from the Port Hedland area are also currently employed at the Telfer mine site by Simons Engineering. As construction of the pipeline draws to a close, Newcrest will focus its attention on creating more opportunities to train and employ Aboriginal, and specifically Martu, people in the different work environments at the Telfer mine site and village.