Latest news with #MurujugaCulturalLandscape
The Advertiser
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'See you in court': anger over huge gas plant extension
Environmental groups and traditional custodians have condemned a federal government decision to allow a controversial gas project to keep operating for decades. New federal environment minister Murray Watt on Wednesday approved fossil fuel giant Woodside's proposal to extend its North West Shelf project on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia. The approval, which allows Woodside to extend the project's life from 2030 to 2070, is subject to strict conditions on the impact of air emission levels from the expanded onshore gas plant at Karratha. The Burrup Peninsula in WA's northwest, known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. Experts have raised concern about the impact of industrial pollution on preserving the rock art. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper launched Federal Court action last week to compel Senator Watt to make a determination on her application to protect Murujuga rock art from industrial development. "See you in court," she said in response to Wednesday's decision. "I'm not on my own, I'm bringing warriors from this ngurra (country) with me." Woodside has 10 business days to respond to the proposed decision and Senator Watt said he would consider the response before a final decision was made. The impact of air emissions on the Murujuga rock art that forms part of the Dampier Archipelago was considered as part of the assessment process, he said. "I have ensured that adequate protection for the rock art is central to my proposed decision," he said. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe said Senator Watt's decision "could ignite a climate bomb" and destroy sacred sites. She said the minister hadn't consulted traditional custodians and had ignored Ms Cooper's heritage protection application, lodged three years ago. "Choosing Reconciliation Week to push through this decision, while sidelining First Peoples, is not just disrespectful - it's disgraceful," she said. Woodside chief operating officer Liz Westcott said the proposed approval would provide certainty for the project, and secure thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The company was reviewing the proposed conditions relating to cultural heritage management and air quality and "we recognise the significance of these matters". "We remain committed to protecting the Murujuga Cultural Landscape and support its World Heritage nomination," Ms Westcott said. The decision came after the release of a report indicating the United Nations is set to reject Australia's bid to add the Murujuga rock art to the World Heritage list. Its integrity was "vulnerable due to industrial emissions, considered the majorly adversely affecting factor for the petroglyphs", the International Council on Monuments and Sites said in its report to UNESCO. An agenda for UNESCO's meeting in July shows the draft decision is set to be deferred and the nomination sent back to the Australian government to address the risks to World Heritage values, including "the total removal of degrading acidic emissions currently impacting upon the petroglyphs". Australian Conservation Foundation climate campaigner Piper Rollins said the report "clearly identified" the North West Shelf gas hub as the primary risk to the rock art. "UNESCO is essentially saying to the Albanese government: you can't have your cake and eat it. You are going to have to choose between World Heritage or Woodside's toxic gas extension," she said. Greens environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said the minister "has just approved the trashing of our environment". "The first act of this new government is to trash climate credibility with this huge pollution bomb," Senator Hanson-Young said. Greenpeace Australia chief executive David Ritter said Senator Watt's "terrible decision" brought Woodside's destructive gas drills one step closer to Scott Reef, a marine ecosystem home to threatened species like pygmy blue whales and green sea turtles. Australia Institute research director Rod Campbell said the government had missed an opportunity to lead the world and start Australia's journey to real zero emissions. "The government has opted, once again, to put big gas ahead of Australians," he said. "For a government re-elected to take meaningful action on climate change, expanding the nation's biggest fossil fuel project is a dreadful way to kick off its second term." Environmental groups and traditional custodians have condemned a federal government decision to allow a controversial gas project to keep operating for decades. New federal environment minister Murray Watt on Wednesday approved fossil fuel giant Woodside's proposal to extend its North West Shelf project on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia. The approval, which allows Woodside to extend the project's life from 2030 to 2070, is subject to strict conditions on the impact of air emission levels from the expanded onshore gas plant at Karratha. The Burrup Peninsula in WA's northwest, known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. Experts have raised concern about the impact of industrial pollution on preserving the rock art. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper launched Federal Court action last week to compel Senator Watt to make a determination on her application to protect Murujuga rock art from industrial development. "See you in court," she said in response to Wednesday's decision. "I'm not on my own, I'm bringing warriors from this ngurra (country) with me." Woodside has 10 business days to respond to the proposed decision and Senator Watt said he would consider the response before a final decision was made. The impact of air emissions on the Murujuga rock art that forms part of the Dampier Archipelago was considered as part of the assessment process, he said. "I have ensured that adequate protection for the rock art is central to my proposed decision," he said. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe said Senator Watt's decision "could ignite a climate bomb" and destroy sacred sites. She said the minister hadn't consulted traditional custodians and had ignored Ms Cooper's heritage protection application, lodged three years ago. "Choosing Reconciliation Week to push through this decision, while sidelining First Peoples, is not just disrespectful - it's disgraceful," she said. Woodside chief operating officer Liz Westcott said the proposed approval would provide certainty for the project, and secure thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The company was reviewing the proposed conditions relating to cultural heritage management and air quality and "we recognise the significance of these matters". "We remain committed to protecting the Murujuga Cultural Landscape and support its World Heritage nomination," Ms Westcott said. The decision came after the release of a report indicating the United Nations is set to reject Australia's bid to add the Murujuga rock art to the World Heritage list. Its integrity was "vulnerable due to industrial emissions, considered the majorly adversely affecting factor for the petroglyphs", the International Council on Monuments and Sites said in its report to UNESCO. An agenda for UNESCO's meeting in July shows the draft decision is set to be deferred and the nomination sent back to the Australian government to address the risks to World Heritage values, including "the total removal of degrading acidic emissions currently impacting upon the petroglyphs". Australian Conservation Foundation climate campaigner Piper Rollins said the report "clearly identified" the North West Shelf gas hub as the primary risk to the rock art. "UNESCO is essentially saying to the Albanese government: you can't have your cake and eat it. You are going to have to choose between World Heritage or Woodside's toxic gas extension," she said. Greens environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said the minister "has just approved the trashing of our environment". "The first act of this new government is to trash climate credibility with this huge pollution bomb," Senator Hanson-Young said. Greenpeace Australia chief executive David Ritter said Senator Watt's "terrible decision" brought Woodside's destructive gas drills one step closer to Scott Reef, a marine ecosystem home to threatened species like pygmy blue whales and green sea turtles. Australia Institute research director Rod Campbell said the government had missed an opportunity to lead the world and start Australia's journey to real zero emissions. "The government has opted, once again, to put big gas ahead of Australians," he said. "For a government re-elected to take meaningful action on climate change, expanding the nation's biggest fossil fuel project is a dreadful way to kick off its second term." Environmental groups and traditional custodians have condemned a federal government decision to allow a controversial gas project to keep operating for decades. New federal environment minister Murray Watt on Wednesday approved fossil fuel giant Woodside's proposal to extend its North West Shelf project on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia. The approval, which allows Woodside to extend the project's life from 2030 to 2070, is subject to strict conditions on the impact of air emission levels from the expanded onshore gas plant at Karratha. The Burrup Peninsula in WA's northwest, known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. Experts have raised concern about the impact of industrial pollution on preserving the rock art. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper launched Federal Court action last week to compel Senator Watt to make a determination on her application to protect Murujuga rock art from industrial development. "See you in court," she said in response to Wednesday's decision. "I'm not on my own, I'm bringing warriors from this ngurra (country) with me." Woodside has 10 business days to respond to the proposed decision and Senator Watt said he would consider the response before a final decision was made. The impact of air emissions on the Murujuga rock art that forms part of the Dampier Archipelago was considered as part of the assessment process, he said. "I have ensured that adequate protection for the rock art is central to my proposed decision," he said. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe said Senator Watt's decision "could ignite a climate bomb" and destroy sacred sites. She said the minister hadn't consulted traditional custodians and had ignored Ms Cooper's heritage protection application, lodged three years ago. "Choosing Reconciliation Week to push through this decision, while sidelining First Peoples, is not just disrespectful - it's disgraceful," she said. Woodside chief operating officer Liz Westcott said the proposed approval would provide certainty for the project, and secure thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The company was reviewing the proposed conditions relating to cultural heritage management and air quality and "we recognise the significance of these matters". "We remain committed to protecting the Murujuga Cultural Landscape and support its World Heritage nomination," Ms Westcott said. The decision came after the release of a report indicating the United Nations is set to reject Australia's bid to add the Murujuga rock art to the World Heritage list. Its integrity was "vulnerable due to industrial emissions, considered the majorly adversely affecting factor for the petroglyphs", the International Council on Monuments and Sites said in its report to UNESCO. An agenda for UNESCO's meeting in July shows the draft decision is set to be deferred and the nomination sent back to the Australian government to address the risks to World Heritage values, including "the total removal of degrading acidic emissions currently impacting upon the petroglyphs". Australian Conservation Foundation climate campaigner Piper Rollins said the report "clearly identified" the North West Shelf gas hub as the primary risk to the rock art. "UNESCO is essentially saying to the Albanese government: you can't have your cake and eat it. You are going to have to choose between World Heritage or Woodside's toxic gas extension," she said. Greens environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said the minister "has just approved the trashing of our environment". "The first act of this new government is to trash climate credibility with this huge pollution bomb," Senator Hanson-Young said. Greenpeace Australia chief executive David Ritter said Senator Watt's "terrible decision" brought Woodside's destructive gas drills one step closer to Scott Reef, a marine ecosystem home to threatened species like pygmy blue whales and green sea turtles. Australia Institute research director Rod Campbell said the government had missed an opportunity to lead the world and start Australia's journey to real zero emissions. "The government has opted, once again, to put big gas ahead of Australians," he said. "For a government re-elected to take meaningful action on climate change, expanding the nation's biggest fossil fuel project is a dreadful way to kick off its second term." Environmental groups and traditional custodians have condemned a federal government decision to allow a controversial gas project to keep operating for decades. New federal environment minister Murray Watt on Wednesday approved fossil fuel giant Woodside's proposal to extend its North West Shelf project on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia. The approval, which allows Woodside to extend the project's life from 2030 to 2070, is subject to strict conditions on the impact of air emission levels from the expanded onshore gas plant at Karratha. The Burrup Peninsula in WA's northwest, known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. Experts have raised concern about the impact of industrial pollution on preserving the rock art. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper launched Federal Court action last week to compel Senator Watt to make a determination on her application to protect Murujuga rock art from industrial development. "See you in court," she said in response to Wednesday's decision. "I'm not on my own, I'm bringing warriors from this ngurra (country) with me." Woodside has 10 business days to respond to the proposed decision and Senator Watt said he would consider the response before a final decision was made. The impact of air emissions on the Murujuga rock art that forms part of the Dampier Archipelago was considered as part of the assessment process, he said. "I have ensured that adequate protection for the rock art is central to my proposed decision," he said. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe said Senator Watt's decision "could ignite a climate bomb" and destroy sacred sites. She said the minister hadn't consulted traditional custodians and had ignored Ms Cooper's heritage protection application, lodged three years ago. "Choosing Reconciliation Week to push through this decision, while sidelining First Peoples, is not just disrespectful - it's disgraceful," she said. Woodside chief operating officer Liz Westcott said the proposed approval would provide certainty for the project, and secure thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The company was reviewing the proposed conditions relating to cultural heritage management and air quality and "we recognise the significance of these matters". "We remain committed to protecting the Murujuga Cultural Landscape and support its World Heritage nomination," Ms Westcott said. The decision came after the release of a report indicating the United Nations is set to reject Australia's bid to add the Murujuga rock art to the World Heritage list. Its integrity was "vulnerable due to industrial emissions, considered the majorly adversely affecting factor for the petroglyphs", the International Council on Monuments and Sites said in its report to UNESCO. An agenda for UNESCO's meeting in July shows the draft decision is set to be deferred and the nomination sent back to the Australian government to address the risks to World Heritage values, including "the total removal of degrading acidic emissions currently impacting upon the petroglyphs". Australian Conservation Foundation climate campaigner Piper Rollins said the report "clearly identified" the North West Shelf gas hub as the primary risk to the rock art. "UNESCO is essentially saying to the Albanese government: you can't have your cake and eat it. You are going to have to choose between World Heritage or Woodside's toxic gas extension," she said. Greens environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said the minister "has just approved the trashing of our environment". "The first act of this new government is to trash climate credibility with this huge pollution bomb," Senator Hanson-Young said. Greenpeace Australia chief executive David Ritter said Senator Watt's "terrible decision" brought Woodside's destructive gas drills one step closer to Scott Reef, a marine ecosystem home to threatened species like pygmy blue whales and green sea turtles. Australia Institute research director Rod Campbell said the government had missed an opportunity to lead the world and start Australia's journey to real zero emissions. "The government has opted, once again, to put big gas ahead of Australians," he said. "For a government re-elected to take meaningful action on climate change, expanding the nation's biggest fossil fuel project is a dreadful way to kick off its second term."
RTÉ News
28-05-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Australia's bid for ancient rock art World Heritage listing stalls over pollution
Australia's bid to secure World Heritage status for a site with Indigenous rock art estimated to be 50,000 years old has been dealt a blow after a UN advisory body warned it was at risk from nearby industrial pollution. The International Council on Monuments and Sites advised UNESCO to refer the nomination back to the Australian government so it could "prevent any further industrial development adjacent to, and within, the Murujuga Cultural Landscape". Located on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia state, the Murujuga rock art, which is of cultural and spiritual significance to local Indigenous Australians, was nominated for heritage listing in 2023. The Burrup Peninsula is also a key industrial hub, home to two gas plants run by Woodside, and fertiliser and explosives plants run by Norway's Yara International. The government extended the lifetime of Woodside's largest gas plant in the region, the North West Shelf, until 2070. The extension will generate up to 4.3 billion metric tons of additional carbon emissions. Scrutiny over the impact of Australia's resources industry on Indigenous heritage sites has been magnified since Rio Tinto destroyed the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters as part of a mine expansion in 2020. Australia has said the Murujuga petroglyphs were in "good condition overall" and presented findings from a study of the site that said there were no suggestions "acid rain or deposition is contributing to damage of the rock art". Despite this, ICOMOS recommended preventing further industrial development near the site and called for a "decommissioning and rehabilitation plan for existing industrial activities". ICOMOS, citing media reports quoting rock art experts and information received about the proposed North West Shelf extension, concluded: "The conservation conditions of the petroglyphs are extremely vulnerable and threatened by industrial acidic emissions". Cultural heritage expert at Deakin University Luke James, said the ICOMOS draft decision was a "setback" for the Australian government. "ICOMOS has identified some concerns around protection and management," he said. "It is now up to the Australian government to demonstrate to the committee that these are surmountable, or it will need to wait at least a year - and do further work - for another chance at inscription." Woodside said in a statement it continued to support the heritage listing of the rock art and would work with the Murujuga traditional owners and government to prepare its response to ICOMOS' recommendation. "We believe the World Heritage nomination should proceed on the strength of the evidence and stand as proof that cultural heritage and industry can responsibly co-exist when collaboration, transparency and rigorous scientific monitoring are in place," it said.
