17th July 2014
World Heritage nomination of Murujuga - the Burrup Peninsula and Dampier Archipelago - is long overdue, and should be made a priority by the state and federal governments, according to Greens Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple.
Mr Chapple said it was ridiculous that neither government had taken the lead on protecting Murujuga, the significance of which has been widely acknowledged.
“We have this situation at the moment that is essentially a deliberate stalemate,” he said.
“The federal Minister for the Environment is calling on our Premier to take a stand, who in turn is stating it is not within his power to do so.
“Whilst in opposition Colin Barnett called Murujuga ‘the most significant heritage and anthropological site in Australia’ yet his government continues to approve, and encourage, industrial development there.
“Again, by the Premier’s own admission, as much as 20 to 25 per cent of rock art in Murujuga has already, regrettably, been destroyed by industrial interference.
“I appeal to the Premier to stop this continued vandalism once and for all, and give the Burrup Peninsula the protection it deserves.”
The Murujuga National Park, announced in January last year, was a significant step towards ensuring the protection of the Burrup Peninsula and Dampier Archipelago but at just 49.3 square kilometres it covers only 44% of the Burrup’s total area.
Mr Chapple said the government was using the successful creation of Murujuga National Park to cover up its intentions for the rest of the archipelago.
“Whilst I applaud the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation on their cooperation with the government in ensuring the protection offered by national park status, it is a great shame that the government won’t increase its protection to the archipelago in its entirety.”
For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255
