Murray Watt to take UNESCO heritage listing fight for WA Aboriginal rock art to Europe

Murray Watt will take the bid to secure UNESCO heritage listing of Aboriginal rock art in WA’s north to Europe after it was knocked back late last month. The new Environmental Minister will travel to France on Saturday to meet with UNESCO representatives on the sideline of the United Nations Ocean Conference. The UN knocked back the proposal despite it meeting the cultural heritage guidelines, citing concerns about emissions degrading the carvings. “We are actively engaged in the process at the moment and will continue to make strong representations at every opportunity that support our view that Murujuga deserves to be recognised and protected within the World Heritage system,” Senator Watt said. “The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring the Committee has all the information they need to make an informed decision in July.” His predecessor Tanya Plibersek had nominated the high concentration of petroglyphs on the Burrup Peninsula, known as the Murujuga Cultural Landscape, in February 2023. The carvings are thought to be about 40,000 years old. While the evaluation report said the quality of the world heritage nomination should be “praised”, it raised concerns about the “degrading acidic emissions” from nearby industry development. Before granting World Heritage Status, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) report recommended eliminating emissions and preventing any further industrial development in the area. The report credited the site’s “intrinsic exceptional quality” which it said had “deep spiritual and cultural significance” for Traditional Owners with “potential to be inscribed”. Both Senator Watt and Woodside boss Meg O’Neill have said the UNESCO draft decision was “disappointing”. Senator Watt also questioned why Traditional Custodians were not consulted or “given an opportunity to respond to proposed recommendations, despite their strong desire for World Heritage listing”. Representatives of Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation are also expected to travel to Europe in July for a forum, where they hope to also support the submission for World Heritage status. The United Nations Ocean Conference, which will take place in Nice from June 9 to 13, brings together leaders from across the globe to discuss ways to improve the sustainability of the world’s oceans and address threats. WA mining billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest will also attend after sponsoring a new documentary Ocean with David Attenborough which highlights urgent threats like climate change, destructive fishing and mass coral reef bleaching.

Murray Watt to take UNESCO heritage listing fight for WA Aboriginal rock art to Europe

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