Dirima Dortch-Cuthbert: Social Surroundings Assessments in Western Australia: some points for consideration

Dirima  is an experienced anthropologist and environmental designer, having worked with First Peoples in Western Australia’s South West and Pilbara regions since 1996. While some projects lean more towards anthropology and some more towards environmental design, her cross-disciplinary approach is useful in revealing and regenerating connections between people and places in all projects. In this note, Dirima sets out matters which she considers important for cross-disciplinary consideration regarding what Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority’s (2016) refers to as the need to protect not just environmental values but also to protect social surroundings from significant harm.