Rock art heritage listing to attract eyes of the world
The Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a heritage site on Friday following lobbying by the federal government.
The inscription recognises the First Nations cultural value of the more than one million engravings in WA's northwest, some of which are thought to be more than 50,000 years old.
The site was previously put forward to UNESCO for World Heritage listing in 2023 but Australia's application was referred back in May.
UNESCO recommended state and federal governments address concerns that nearby acid emissions were degrading the art, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, which was recently granted provisional approval to operate for another 40 years.
Federal and state governments and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape have been celebrating the win.
But other traditional owners in Paris for the decision have been left disappointed after failing to secure protections from industry.
"Global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga," Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper said.
"You cannot have industry and culture coexist. It's never happened. It never works," she said.
Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said the "world is now watching" and urged the federal environment minister to reject Woodside's gas project extension.
Environment Minister Murray Watt said his government was committed to protecting the site now and for future generations.
"It has been a great privilege to support the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga to see this globally significant cultural landscape included on the World Heritage List," Senator Watt said.
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chair Peter Hicks said it was an "exceptionally proud moment".
"It is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination, but it is also recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary landscape for over 50,000 years," he said.
Environmentalists and traditional owners who fear industrial pollution is harming ancient rock art hope World Heritage status will attract global scrutiny to the issue.
The Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a heritage site on Friday following lobbying by the federal government.
The inscription recognises the First Nations cultural value of the more than one million engravings in WA's northwest, some of which are thought to be more than 50,000 years old.
The site was previously put forward to UNESCO for World Heritage listing in 2023 but Australia's application was referred back in May.
UNESCO recommended state and federal governments address concerns that nearby acid emissions were degrading the art, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, which was recently granted provisional approval to operate for another 40 years.
Federal and state governments and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape have been celebrating the win.
But other traditional owners in Paris for the decision have been left disappointed after failing to secure protections from industry.
"Global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga," Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper said.
"You cannot have industry and culture coexist. It's never happened. It never works," she said.
Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said the "world is now watching" and urged the federal environment minister to reject Woodside's gas project extension.
Environment Minister Murray Watt said his government was committed to protecting the site now and for future generations.
"It has been a great privilege to support the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga to see this globally significant cultural landscape included on the World Heritage List," Senator Watt said.
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chair Peter Hicks said it was an "exceptionally proud moment".
"It is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination, but it is also recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary landscape for over 50,000 years," he said.
Environmentalists and traditional owners who fear industrial pollution is harming ancient rock art hope World Heritage status will attract global scrutiny to the issue.
The Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a heritage site on Friday following lobbying by the federal government.
The inscription recognises the First Nations cultural value of the more than one million engravings in WA's northwest, some of which are thought to be more than 50,000 years old.
The site was previously put forward to UNESCO for World Heritage listing in 2023 but Australia's application was referred back in May.
UNESCO recommended state and federal governments address concerns that nearby acid emissions were degrading the art, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, which was recently granted provisional approval to operate for another 40 years.
Federal and state governments and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape have been celebrating the win.
But other traditional owners in Paris for the decision have been left disappointed after failing to secure protections from industry.
"Global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga," Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper said.
"You cannot have industry and culture coexist. It's never happened. It never works," she said.
Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said the "world is now watching" and urged the federal environment minister to reject Woodside's gas project extension.
Environment Minister Murray Watt said his government was committed to protecting the site now and for future generations.
"It has been a great privilege to support the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga to see this globally significant cultural landscape included on the World Heritage List," Senator Watt said.
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chair Peter Hicks said it was an "exceptionally proud moment".
"It is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination, but it is also recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary landscape for over 50,000 years," he said.
Environmentalists and traditional owners who fear industrial pollution is harming ancient rock art hope World Heritage status will attract global scrutiny to the issue.
The Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a heritage site on Friday following lobbying by the federal government.
The inscription recognises the First Nations cultural value of the more than one million engravings in WA's northwest, some of which are thought to be more than 50,000 years old.
The site was previously put forward to UNESCO for World Heritage listing in 2023 but Australia's application was referred back in May.
UNESCO recommended state and federal governments address concerns that nearby acid emissions were degrading the art, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, which was recently granted provisional approval to operate for another 40 years.
Federal and state governments and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape have been celebrating the win.
But other traditional owners in Paris for the decision have been left disappointed after failing to secure protections from industry.
"Global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga," Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper said.
"You cannot have industry and culture coexist. It's never happened. It never works," she said.
Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said the "world is now watching" and urged the federal environment minister to reject Woodside's gas project extension.
Environment Minister Murray Watt said his government was committed to protecting the site now and for future generations.
"It has been a great privilege to support the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga to see this globally significant cultural landscape included on the World Heritage List," Senator Watt said.
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chair Peter Hicks said it was an "exceptionally proud moment".
"It is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination, but it is also recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary landscape for over 50,000 years," he said.
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SBS Australia
8 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Traditional owners hope rock art heritage listing will attract eyes of the world
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts . Among the red rock hills of Murujuga in Western Australia's Pilbara region are a million ancient rock engravings. Some of the engravings date back 50,000 years, making them older than Stone Henge and the Pyramids of Giza. The ancient petroglyphs include the oldest known depiction of a human face, as well as engravings of plants and animals, some of which are now extinct. Traditional owners have long campaigned to protect the art - and now, their bid for a UNESCO World Heritage listing has ended with triumph in Paris. "I therefore declare the decision 47-8B.13 adopted as amended." UNESCO says their decision recognises that the site represents 'a masterpiece of human creative genius'; is a unique testimony to a cultural tradition; and finally, that the site is an outstanding example of a cultural or human settlement showing interaction with the environment. Chair of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation ((MAC)), Peter Hicks, travelled to Paris for the momentous decision. "Inscribed into the history books is a great, great outcome for us, the Aboriginal people. It's a nomination led by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people, and guided by the Aboriginal people. And therefore it is a world first." Peter Jeffries is also from the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, which has led the campaign. He says it's been years in the making. "It's been in motion now for two or three decades, and we've lost a lot of our old elders in the process. So this is also in recognition of their support, as well." But while the Corporation's campaign has gone on for decades, it wasn't until 2023 that the Australian Government nominated the Murujuga Cultural Landscape for World Heritage status. Australia's application was referred back to the government in May, after UNESCO suggested state and federal governments needed to do more to address concerns that acid emissions from Woodside's nearby gas project were damaging the engravings. The peninsula in northwest WA near Karratha is home to two gas plants, a fertiliser plant and iron ore and salt export facilities. Environment Minister Senator Murray Watt argued those emission claims were based on inaccuracies, drawing on a report by about 50 scientists who said the emissions showed there was no ongoing risk to the engravings. "In the end, what persuaded the committee was the scientific evidence that was put forward which disputed some of the claims being made but also the genuine passion from the traditional owners to see this world heritage listing be secured." The Minister was also in Paris for the announcement, declaring the government was committed to protecting the site now and for future generations. "On behalf of the Australian government I am honoured to accept this inscription. Australia is thrilled with the committee's decision to inscribe the Murujuga's Cultural Landscape on the World Heritage List. This has been an Indigenous-led nomination and this victory belongs to the Ngarda-Ngarli, the traditional owners and custodians of Murujuga, whose deep knowledge and cultural leadership and enduring connection to country are at the heart of this inscription. But concerns about the potential impacts of pollution on the rock art have not gone away with the listing. Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy says the world is watching now Murujuga is a world heritage site, and has urged the federal environment minister to reject Woodside's provisional gas project extension. Conditions of the approval which relate to emissions from the plant are still being negotiated. And while the 21 member nations unanimously supported the UNESCO listing, they requested Australia continue to research the effects neighbouring industry has on the rock art, and report its findings to the U-N next year. A Woodside spokesperson has responded in a statement to SBS: "The company has been a proud supporter of the World Heritage nomination and assessment process, and the company looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and Traditional Custodians on the continued protection and management of this globally significant area." Still, Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper says culture and industry cannot co-exist, and she remains worried about the long term impacts of emissions on the rock art. Peter Hicks says the Ngarda-Ngarli people will remain dedicated to protecting the site. "Today we create our own stories in the stone, but with some care and protection of our culture like our ancestors have always done for fifty thousand years."
The Advertiser
18 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Rock art heritage listing to attract eyes of the world
Environmentalists and traditional owners who fear industrial pollution is harming ancient rock art hope World Heritage status will attract global scrutiny to the issue. The Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a heritage site on Friday following lobbying by the federal government. The inscription recognises the First Nations cultural value of the more than one million engravings in WA's northwest, some of which are thought to be more than 50,000 years old. The site was previously put forward to UNESCO for World Heritage listing in 2023 but Australia's application was referred back in May. UNESCO recommended state and federal governments address concerns that nearby acid emissions were degrading the art, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, which was recently granted provisional approval to operate for another 40 years. Federal and state governments and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape have been celebrating the win. But other traditional owners in Paris for the decision have been left disappointed after failing to secure protections from industry. "Global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga," Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper said. "You cannot have industry and culture coexist. It's never happened. It never works," she said. Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said the "world is now watching" and urged the federal environment minister to reject Woodside's gas project extension. Environment Minister Murray Watt said his government was committed to protecting the site now and for future generations. "It has been a great privilege to support the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga to see this globally significant cultural landscape included on the World Heritage List," Senator Watt said. Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chair Peter Hicks said it was an "exceptionally proud moment". "It is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination, but it is also recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary landscape for over 50,000 years," he said. Environmentalists and traditional owners who fear industrial pollution is harming ancient rock art hope World Heritage status will attract global scrutiny to the issue. The Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a heritage site on Friday following lobbying by the federal government. The inscription recognises the First Nations cultural value of the more than one million engravings in WA's northwest, some of which are thought to be more than 50,000 years old. The site was previously put forward to UNESCO for World Heritage listing in 2023 but Australia's application was referred back in May. UNESCO recommended state and federal governments address concerns that nearby acid emissions were degrading the art, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, which was recently granted provisional approval to operate for another 40 years. Federal and state governments and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape have been celebrating the win. But other traditional owners in Paris for the decision have been left disappointed after failing to secure protections from industry. "Global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga," Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper said. "You cannot have industry and culture coexist. It's never happened. It never works," she said. Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said the "world is now watching" and urged the federal environment minister to reject Woodside's gas project extension. Environment Minister Murray Watt said his government was committed to protecting the site now and for future generations. "It has been a great privilege to support the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga to see this globally significant cultural landscape included on the World Heritage List," Senator Watt said. Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chair Peter Hicks said it was an "exceptionally proud moment". "It is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination, but it is also recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary landscape for over 50,000 years," he said. Environmentalists and traditional owners who fear industrial pollution is harming ancient rock art hope World Heritage status will attract global scrutiny to the issue. The Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a heritage site on Friday following lobbying by the federal government. The inscription recognises the First Nations cultural value of the more than one million engravings in WA's northwest, some of which are thought to be more than 50,000 years old. The site was previously put forward to UNESCO for World Heritage listing in 2023 but Australia's application was referred back in May. UNESCO recommended state and federal governments address concerns that nearby acid emissions were degrading the art, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, which was recently granted provisional approval to operate for another 40 years. Federal and state governments and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape have been celebrating the win. But other traditional owners in Paris for the decision have been left disappointed after failing to secure protections from industry. "Global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga," Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper said. "You cannot have industry and culture coexist. It's never happened. It never works," she said. Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said the "world is now watching" and urged the federal environment minister to reject Woodside's gas project extension. Environment Minister Murray Watt said his government was committed to protecting the site now and for future generations. "It has been a great privilege to support the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga to see this globally significant cultural landscape included on the World Heritage List," Senator Watt said. Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chair Peter Hicks said it was an "exceptionally proud moment". "It is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination, but it is also recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary landscape for over 50,000 years," he said. Environmentalists and traditional owners who fear industrial pollution is harming ancient rock art hope World Heritage status will attract global scrutiny to the issue. The Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a heritage site on Friday following lobbying by the federal government. The inscription recognises the First Nations cultural value of the more than one million engravings in WA's northwest, some of which are thought to be more than 50,000 years old. The site was previously put forward to UNESCO for World Heritage listing in 2023 but Australia's application was referred back in May. UNESCO recommended state and federal governments address concerns that nearby acid emissions were degrading the art, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, which was recently granted provisional approval to operate for another 40 years. Federal and state governments and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape have been celebrating the win. But other traditional owners in Paris for the decision have been left disappointed after failing to secure protections from industry. "Global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga," Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper said. "You cannot have industry and culture coexist. It's never happened. It never works," she said. Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said the "world is now watching" and urged the federal environment minister to reject Woodside's gas project extension. Environment Minister Murray Watt said his government was committed to protecting the site now and for future generations. "It has been a great privilege to support the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga to see this globally significant cultural landscape included on the World Heritage List," Senator Watt said. Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chair Peter Hicks said it was an "exceptionally proud moment". "It is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination, but it is also recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary landscape for over 50,000 years," he said.
West Australian
18 hours ago
- West Australian
Rock art heritage listing to attract eyes of the world
Environmentalists and traditional owners who fear industrial pollution is harming ancient rock art hope World Heritage status will attract global scrutiny to the issue. The Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a heritage site on Friday following lobbying by the federal government. The inscription recognises the First Nations cultural value of the more than one million engravings in WA's northwest, some of which are thought to be more than 50,000 years old. The site was previously put forward to UNESCO for World Heritage listing in 2023 but Australia's application was referred back in May. UNESCO recommended state and federal governments address concerns that nearby acid emissions were degrading the art, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, which was recently granted provisional approval to operate for another 40 years. Federal and state governments and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape have been celebrating the win. But other traditional owners in Paris for the decision have been left disappointed after failing to secure protections from industry. "Global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga," Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper said. "You cannot have industry and culture coexist. It's never happened. It never works," she said. Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said the "world is now watching" and urged the federal environment minister to reject Woodside's gas project extension. Environment Minister Murray Watt said his government was committed to protecting the site now and for future generations. "It has been a great privilege to support the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga to see this globally significant cultural landscape included on the World Heritage List," Senator Watt said. Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chair Peter Hicks said it was an "exceptionally proud moment". "It is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination, but it is also recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary landscape for over 50,000 years," he said.
