Latest news with #AustralianRockArt
The Advertiser
09-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Bid for World Heritage rock art listing ramps up
An ancient First Nations rock art collection could become a World Heritage-listed site as the federal government ramps up lobbying efforts. Environment Minister Murray Watt will travel to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) headquarters in France to try get the Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia listed as a World Heritage site. The site had previously been put forward to UNESCO but Australia's application was referred back in May, with recommendations state and federal governments address concerns nearby acid emissions, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, were degrading the art. But Senator Watt, who said Australia had consistently shown international leadership in promoting First Nations people and combating climate change, wants to update the committee on conservation at Murujuga. "All Australians can be immensely proud of our heritage sites, both ancient and modern," he said. "Not only is Australia home to many cultures from across the world but also the world's oldest continuous living culture." Senator Watt will also offer other updates on other World Heritage-listed sites including the Greater Blue Mountains, the Gondwana Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef, which has been a subject of concern in recent years due to several waves of coral bleaching amid rising ocean temperatures. The announcement of Senator Watt's trip coincides with protests set to take place outside Woodside's Perth office on Wednesday, where climate activists will oppose the pending North West Shelf extension decision at the Burrup peninsula and the proposed Browse gas field at Scott Reef. The Murujuga area contains the world's largest, densest and most diverse collection of rock art engravings, known as petroglyphs, and some are estimated to be more than 50,000 years old. Friends of Australian Rock Art in June challenged the Western Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside's North West Shelf project. They argued the state did not consider the climate change impact the project would increate, and the affect it would have on Indigenous rock art. AAP has reached out to Woodside for comment. The company's website has said it seeks to avoid impacts on cultural heritage or minimise and mitigate the impacts. An ancient First Nations rock art collection could become a World Heritage-listed site as the federal government ramps up lobbying efforts. Environment Minister Murray Watt will travel to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) headquarters in France to try get the Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia listed as a World Heritage site. The site had previously been put forward to UNESCO but Australia's application was referred back in May, with recommendations state and federal governments address concerns nearby acid emissions, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, were degrading the art. But Senator Watt, who said Australia had consistently shown international leadership in promoting First Nations people and combating climate change, wants to update the committee on conservation at Murujuga. "All Australians can be immensely proud of our heritage sites, both ancient and modern," he said. "Not only is Australia home to many cultures from across the world but also the world's oldest continuous living culture." Senator Watt will also offer other updates on other World Heritage-listed sites including the Greater Blue Mountains, the Gondwana Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef, which has been a subject of concern in recent years due to several waves of coral bleaching amid rising ocean temperatures. The announcement of Senator Watt's trip coincides with protests set to take place outside Woodside's Perth office on Wednesday, where climate activists will oppose the pending North West Shelf extension decision at the Burrup peninsula and the proposed Browse gas field at Scott Reef. The Murujuga area contains the world's largest, densest and most diverse collection of rock art engravings, known as petroglyphs, and some are estimated to be more than 50,000 years old. Friends of Australian Rock Art in June challenged the Western Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside's North West Shelf project. They argued the state did not consider the climate change impact the project would increate, and the affect it would have on Indigenous rock art. AAP has reached out to Woodside for comment. The company's website has said it seeks to avoid impacts on cultural heritage or minimise and mitigate the impacts. An ancient First Nations rock art collection could become a World Heritage-listed site as the federal government ramps up lobbying efforts. Environment Minister Murray Watt will travel to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) headquarters in France to try get the Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia listed as a World Heritage site. The site had previously been put forward to UNESCO but Australia's application was referred back in May, with recommendations state and federal governments address concerns nearby acid emissions, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, were degrading the art. But Senator Watt, who said Australia had consistently shown international leadership in promoting First Nations people and combating climate change, wants to update the committee on conservation at Murujuga. "All Australians can be immensely proud of our heritage sites, both ancient and modern," he said. "Not only is Australia home to many cultures from across the world but also the world's oldest continuous living culture." Senator Watt will also offer other updates on other World Heritage-listed sites including the Greater Blue Mountains, the Gondwana Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef, which has been a subject of concern in recent years due to several waves of coral bleaching amid rising ocean temperatures. The announcement of Senator Watt's trip coincides with protests set to take place outside Woodside's Perth office on Wednesday, where climate activists will oppose the pending North West Shelf extension decision at the Burrup peninsula and the proposed Browse gas field at Scott Reef. The Murujuga area contains the world's largest, densest and most diverse collection of rock art engravings, known as petroglyphs, and some are estimated to be more than 50,000 years old. Friends of Australian Rock Art in June challenged the Western Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside's North West Shelf project. They argued the state did not consider the climate change impact the project would increate, and the affect it would have on Indigenous rock art. AAP has reached out to Woodside for comment. The company's website has said it seeks to avoid impacts on cultural heritage or minimise and mitigate the impacts. An ancient First Nations rock art collection could become a World Heritage-listed site as the federal government ramps up lobbying efforts. Environment Minister Murray Watt will travel to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) headquarters in France to try get the Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia listed as a World Heritage site. The site had previously been put forward to UNESCO but Australia's application was referred back in May, with recommendations state and federal governments address concerns nearby acid emissions, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, were degrading the art. But Senator Watt, who said Australia had consistently shown international leadership in promoting First Nations people and combating climate change, wants to update the committee on conservation at Murujuga. "All Australians can be immensely proud of our heritage sites, both ancient and modern," he said. "Not only is Australia home to many cultures from across the world but also the world's oldest continuous living culture." Senator Watt will also offer other updates on other World Heritage-listed sites including the Greater Blue Mountains, the Gondwana Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef, which has been a subject of concern in recent years due to several waves of coral bleaching amid rising ocean temperatures. The announcement of Senator Watt's trip coincides with protests set to take place outside Woodside's Perth office on Wednesday, where climate activists will oppose the pending North West Shelf extension decision at the Burrup peninsula and the proposed Browse gas field at Scott Reef. The Murujuga area contains the world's largest, densest and most diverse collection of rock art engravings, known as petroglyphs, and some are estimated to be more than 50,000 years old. Friends of Australian Rock Art in June challenged the Western Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside's North West Shelf project. They argued the state did not consider the climate change impact the project would increate, and the affect it would have on Indigenous rock art. AAP has reached out to Woodside for comment. The company's website has said it seeks to avoid impacts on cultural heritage or minimise and mitigate the impacts.
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Perth Now
Bid for World Heritage rock art listing ramps up
An ancient First Nations rock art collection could become a World Heritage-listed site as the federal government ramps up lobbying efforts. Environment Minister Murray Watt will travel to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) headquarters in France to try get the Murujuga rock art landscape in Western Australia listed as a World Heritage site. The site had previously been put forward to UNESCO but Australia's application was referred back in May, with recommendations state and federal governments address concerns nearby acid emissions, including those from Woodside's Burrup gas hub, were degrading the art. But Senator Watt, who said Australia had consistently shown international leadership in promoting First Nations people and combating climate change, wants to update the committee on conservation at Murujuga. "All Australians can be immensely proud of our heritage sites, both ancient and modern," he said. "Not only is Australia home to many cultures from across the world but also the world's oldest continuous living culture." Senator Watt will also offer other updates on other World Heritage-listed sites including the Greater Blue Mountains, the Gondwana Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef, which has been a subject of concern in recent years due to several waves of coral bleaching amid rising ocean temperatures. The announcement of Senator Watt's trip coincides with protests set to take place outside Woodside's Perth office on Wednesday, where climate activists will oppose the pending North West Shelf extension decision at the Burrup peninsula and the proposed Browse gas field at Scott Reef. The Murujuga area contains the world's largest, densest and most diverse collection of rock art engravings, known as petroglyphs, and some are estimated to be more than 50,000 years old. Friends of Australian Rock Art in June challenged the Western Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside's North West Shelf project. They argued the state did not consider the climate change impact the project would increate, and the affect it would have on Indigenous rock art. AAP has reached out to Woodside for comment. The company's website has said it seeks to avoid impacts on cultural heritage or minimise and mitigate the impacts.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Art activists in legal bid to kill massive Woodside gas project
A controversial gas project faces another hurdle as environmental activists launch an 11th-hour bid to overturn a state government approval. Friends of Australian Rock Art are challenging the West Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside Energy's massive North West Shelf venture on the Burrup peninsula in northwest WA, an area known as Murujuga. The Supreme Court action against the WA government and Woodside will argue the state did not consider the impact of climate change that would result from the project, including its effect on Indigenous rock art in the area. 'Woodside's proposed North West Shelf extension is one of the most polluting fossil fuel projects in the world, and will have severe consequences both for the Murujuga rock art and for the environment of Western Australia as a whole,' the group's spokeswoman, Judith Hugo, said on Tuesday. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt gave provisional approval to push out the life of the project from 2030 to 2070 in May, following WA's approval in December. Woodside is currently considering the strict federal conditions on cultural heritage and air quality, which Senator Watt said would ensure the 60,000-year-old Murujuga Indigenous rock art was not destroyed. A final decision has not been made. The activists say their case in the WA court could impact the Commonwealth approval, which relies on the state assessment in order to satisfy federal laws. The rock art is nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing as it contains the world's largest collection of Aboriginal rock art, but UNESCO is poised to defer its long-awaited decision over concerns about the impact of industrial emissions on the area.
The Age
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Art activists in legal bid to kill massive Woodside gas project
A controversial gas project faces another hurdle as environmental activists launch an 11th-hour bid to overturn a state government approval. Friends of Australian Rock Art are challenging the West Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside Energy's massive North West Shelf venture on the Burrup peninsula in northwest WA, an area known as Murujuga. The Supreme Court action against the WA government and Woodside will argue the state did not consider the impact of climate change that would result from the project, including its effect on Indigenous rock art in the area. 'Woodside's proposed North West Shelf extension is one of the most polluting fossil fuel projects in the world, and will have severe consequences both for the Murujuga rock art and for the environment of Western Australia as a whole,' the group's spokeswoman, Judith Hugo, said on Tuesday. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt gave provisional approval to push out the life of the project from 2030 to 2070 in May, following WA's approval in December. Woodside is currently considering the strict federal conditions on cultural heritage and air quality, which Senator Watt said would ensure the 60,000-year-old Murujuga Indigenous rock art was not destroyed. A final decision has not been made. The activists say their case in the WA court could impact the Commonwealth approval, which relies on the state assessment in order to satisfy federal laws. The rock art is nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing as it contains the world's largest collection of Aboriginal rock art, but UNESCO is poised to defer its long-awaited decision over concerns about the impact of industrial emissions on the area.
The Advertiser
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Art activists in legal bid to kill massive gas project
A controversial gas project faces another hurdle, as environmental activists launch an 11th-hour bid to overturn a state government approval. Friends of Australian Rock Art are challenging the Western Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside Energy's massive North West Shelf venture. The Supreme Court action against the WA government and Woodside will argue the state did not consider the impact of climate change that would result from the project, including its effect on Indigenous rock art in the area. "Woodside's proposed North West Shelf extension is one of the most polluting fossil fuel projects in the world, and will have severe consequences both for the Murujuga rock art and for the environment of Western Australia as a whole," the group's spokeswoman, Judith Hugo, said on Tuesday. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt gave provisional approval to push out the life of the project from 2030 to 2070 in May, following WA's approval in December. Woodside is currently considering the strict federal conditions on cultural heritage and air quality, which Senator Watt said would ensure the 60,000-year-old Murujuga Indigenous rock art was not destroyed. A final decision has not been made. The activists say their case in the WA court could impact the Commonwealth approval, which relies on the state assessment in order to satisfy federal laws. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper previously launched legal action against the Commonwealth in a bid to compel it to consider a heritage application to protect rock art, with the Federal Court to hear the case in mid-July. Woodside's project is based on the Burrup peninsula in northwest WA, an area known as Murujuga. It is nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing as it contains the world's largest collection of Aboriginal rock art. The company said it was aware of the rock art group's case. "We have confidence in the robustness of the state government's comprehensive approval process," a spokesman said. "As the matter is before the court, we have no further comment." A controversial gas project faces another hurdle, as environmental activists launch an 11th-hour bid to overturn a state government approval. Friends of Australian Rock Art are challenging the Western Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside Energy's massive North West Shelf venture. The Supreme Court action against the WA government and Woodside will argue the state did not consider the impact of climate change that would result from the project, including its effect on Indigenous rock art in the area. "Woodside's proposed North West Shelf extension is one of the most polluting fossil fuel projects in the world, and will have severe consequences both for the Murujuga rock art and for the environment of Western Australia as a whole," the group's spokeswoman, Judith Hugo, said on Tuesday. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt gave provisional approval to push out the life of the project from 2030 to 2070 in May, following WA's approval in December. Woodside is currently considering the strict federal conditions on cultural heritage and air quality, which Senator Watt said would ensure the 60,000-year-old Murujuga Indigenous rock art was not destroyed. A final decision has not been made. The activists say their case in the WA court could impact the Commonwealth approval, which relies on the state assessment in order to satisfy federal laws. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper previously launched legal action against the Commonwealth in a bid to compel it to consider a heritage application to protect rock art, with the Federal Court to hear the case in mid-July. Woodside's project is based on the Burrup peninsula in northwest WA, an area known as Murujuga. It is nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing as it contains the world's largest collection of Aboriginal rock art. The company said it was aware of the rock art group's case. "We have confidence in the robustness of the state government's comprehensive approval process," a spokesman said. "As the matter is before the court, we have no further comment." A controversial gas project faces another hurdle, as environmental activists launch an 11th-hour bid to overturn a state government approval. Friends of Australian Rock Art are challenging the Western Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside Energy's massive North West Shelf venture. The Supreme Court action against the WA government and Woodside will argue the state did not consider the impact of climate change that would result from the project, including its effect on Indigenous rock art in the area. "Woodside's proposed North West Shelf extension is one of the most polluting fossil fuel projects in the world, and will have severe consequences both for the Murujuga rock art and for the environment of Western Australia as a whole," the group's spokeswoman, Judith Hugo, said on Tuesday. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt gave provisional approval to push out the life of the project from 2030 to 2070 in May, following WA's approval in December. Woodside is currently considering the strict federal conditions on cultural heritage and air quality, which Senator Watt said would ensure the 60,000-year-old Murujuga Indigenous rock art was not destroyed. A final decision has not been made. The activists say their case in the WA court could impact the Commonwealth approval, which relies on the state assessment in order to satisfy federal laws. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper previously launched legal action against the Commonwealth in a bid to compel it to consider a heritage application to protect rock art, with the Federal Court to hear the case in mid-July. Woodside's project is based on the Burrup peninsula in northwest WA, an area known as Murujuga. It is nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing as it contains the world's largest collection of Aboriginal rock art. The company said it was aware of the rock art group's case. "We have confidence in the robustness of the state government's comprehensive approval process," a spokesman said. "As the matter is before the court, we have no further comment." A controversial gas project faces another hurdle, as environmental activists launch an 11th-hour bid to overturn a state government approval. Friends of Australian Rock Art are challenging the Western Australian government's environmental approval to extend the life of Woodside Energy's massive North West Shelf venture. The Supreme Court action against the WA government and Woodside will argue the state did not consider the impact of climate change that would result from the project, including its effect on Indigenous rock art in the area. "Woodside's proposed North West Shelf extension is one of the most polluting fossil fuel projects in the world, and will have severe consequences both for the Murujuga rock art and for the environment of Western Australia as a whole," the group's spokeswoman, Judith Hugo, said on Tuesday. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt gave provisional approval to push out the life of the project from 2030 to 2070 in May, following WA's approval in December. Woodside is currently considering the strict federal conditions on cultural heritage and air quality, which Senator Watt said would ensure the 60,000-year-old Murujuga Indigenous rock art was not destroyed. A final decision has not been made. The activists say their case in the WA court could impact the Commonwealth approval, which relies on the state assessment in order to satisfy federal laws. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper previously launched legal action against the Commonwealth in a bid to compel it to consider a heritage application to protect rock art, with the Federal Court to hear the case in mid-July. Woodside's project is based on the Burrup peninsula in northwest WA, an area known as Murujuga. It is nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing as it contains the world's largest collection of Aboriginal rock art. The company said it was aware of the rock art group's case. "We have confidence in the robustness of the state government's comprehensive approval process," a spokesman said. "As the matter is before the court, we have no further comment."
