Agreement allows Indigenous say on resources use

A landmark agreement to be signed today will allow south-west Western Australian Aborigines to play a major role in protecting and enhancing the region's natural resources.

The agreement, initiated by the South-West Catchments Council, includes the South-West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council and the Noongar people.

The catchment council's general manager, Damien Hills, says it ensures the traditional owners will be consulted in all relevant projects, resulting in a richer network of people working to conserve the environment.

"We're starting to find as we're working with Noongar people actually on the ground, we get the opportunity to gather a richer picture about the history and culture of the natural assets we're working with," he said.

"I mean, there's a wealth of knowledge and history held by Noongar people in the south-west and it's fantastic and something that we're learning as we're going."