Australia's richest woman Gina Rinehart has launched a scathing attack on new Aboriginal heritage laws which she says could cause havoc in Western Australia.
The mining mogul said the state's new regulations will cause 'unintended consequences', with even the addition of a granny flat to a property being subject to delays.
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act will come into effect on July 1, despite demands for a delay by businesses which has been refused by new WA Premier Roger Cook.
Mrs Rinehart warned the new laws will hurt companies throughout the state, including mining and developers.
'Many are concerned that some elements of this Act have not been consulted on broadly enough,' she said in a speech in Brisbane on Friday.
'There is a risk of unintended consequences, even property developers are raising concerns, not just the mining industry.
'These unintended consequences could extend further too, with all West Australians who own a block larger than 1100sq/m needing to be aware of their potential obligations under the Act.
'[That] could involve additional assessment, permitting, plans and or approvals for various activities.'
She said anyone wanting to build a granny flat for ageing parents or for teenagers would have to comply with the new regulations if they move more than 20kg of soil.
Mrs Rinehart said the changes were 'carefully tailored' to protect voters of properties under 1000sq/m - the size of a traditional quarter-acre block.
The mining mogul warned even simple changes could require heritage assessment and approval under the new laws.
'All those who have more [land] need to carefully study this legislation,' Mrs Rinehart said.
The WA Premier continues to stand by the Act which has dominated parliamentary discussions for the past fortnight.
The Opposition has accused the government of rushing the rollout of the new regime but the new Premier is standing firm.
Mr Cook said the Coalition is 'on the wrong side of history' after they unsuccessfully called for a six-month delay to the Act's implementation.
Under the change many rivers, creeks and other tributaries will be considered ethnographic sites, requiring the highest level of assessment to change.