Federal and State environment ministers will touch down in Paris on Thursday as part of a full-court press bidding for the World Heritage listing of rock art in WA’s north.
A UNESCO panel is expected to decide about 3pm on Friday local time whether the culturally significant Murujuga rock art near Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project should be inscribed.
The show of force comes after the draft decision in May rejected the application, citing ongoing industrial operation in the Burrup Peninsula.
Alongside Murray Watt and Matthew Swinbourn, 11 traditional owners from Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, scientists and department officials are trying to overturn the draft decision.
Even before his feet hit the ground in France, Senator Watt has been lobbying the 21-member countries who formed the World Heritage Committee for weeks to get the listing over the line.
Senator Watt has urged the deciding committee to consider the traditional owners’ support and scientific evidence that industrial emissions would damage the ancient art.
Presentations put to the members have included sessions by Curtin University’s Professor Ben Mullins, who led research by a dozen academics at the site.
Minister Swinbourn said it was important to bring “the full weight of local knowledge, rigorous science and government backing” to the “final stage in Paris.”
“I will be meeting with international delegates, attending Committee sessions and helping support the strongest possible case, backed by the scientific evidence and the wishes of the Traditional Owners,” he said.
“There has certainly been some noise around this bid, but the evidence is clear and that’s what should count.
“We want the Committee to make its decision based on the wishes of the Traditional Owners and the best available science, and that’s what we are in Paris to advocate for.”
The delegates, however, have been shadowed by a separate group of traditional owners — led by Raelene Cooper — who argue for the listing but demand a moratorium on further industrial expansion.
The Mardathoonera woman, who has previously been a Chair of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, has held her own meetings in Paris this week.
Her campaign was supported by Australian Greens who made fresh calls on Wednesday for Murray Watt to scrap his provisional approval of the North West Shelf gas project.
Greens leader Larissa Waters said Senator Watt should rescind his greenlight to give Murujuga cultural landscape the best chance of World Heritage Listing.
“To give Murujuga’s ancient rock art the best chance of World Heritage listing, Minister Watt should cancel the draft approval for Woodside’s 45 year extension on operating its gas proposal,” she said.
There’s concern among the broader delegation that the push from the opposing group could jeopardize their chances in the opportunity which doesn’t come around often after years of waiting.
MAC chair Peter Hicks said conversations so far had been “positive” and appreciative of the ministers, scientists and officials’ involvement.
“Our travelling delegation is all remaining positive,” he said.
“It’s an Aboriginal led nomination for the people by the people. It’s been the dreams of our people, our elderly people, for a long, long time.
“There are groups and organisations out there that are trying to disrupt that very, very, very, very hard work.
“If they want to jump up and down about whatever the government’s doing and Woodside. Well, go and have that argument with them.
“Don’t hijack our World Heritage nomination to destroy the dreams of our elderly people.
“This is not about a gas fight. This is about the World Heritage nomination.”
It’s understood the panel could inscribe the site alone or with reporting conditions. But could also defer it, which could mean Traditional Owners have to wait until 2028 to reapply.
“The only outcome that we’re looking forward to is the full inscription,” Mr Hicks said.
Minister Swinbourn said a referral would be “no doubt” disappointing after years of hard work.
“I remain optimistic the bid will stand up on merit. Regardless of the outcome, our commitment does not change, we will keep doing the work, keep building the science and keep standing with the Traditional Owners to protect Murujuga for generations to come,” he said.
WA Premier Roger Cook said it was an important pitch in Paris and he supported his Environment Minister’s three-day trip.
“We think that’s an important issue. It’s one that we support,” he said.
“We’re very pleased that Murray Watt is taking a delegation to meet with UNESCO. And Minister Swinburn is also accompanying the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation as part of that delegation.”
https://thewest.com.au/politics/federal-politics/unesco-wa-rock-art-bid-sparks-international-stand-off-over-murujuga-rock-art-near-north-west-shelf-c-19296234
