- Cook Government co-signs Statement of Intent,
confirming commitment to an agreement-making process in support of World
Heritage Listing of Murujuga
- Statement outlines principles to guide
negotiations for the management of Murujuga country
- Government confirms transfer of 250 hectares
previously set aside for heavy industrial use to Murujuga National Park
The
Cook Government has signed a Statement of Intent to guide an agreement on the
management, protection, and conservation of Murujuga country, also known as the
Burrup Peninsula and Dampier Archipelago.
Last
year, the Australian Government nominated the Murujuga Cultural Landscape for
inscription on the World Heritage List, recognising the area's 'Outstanding
Universal Value', including its extensive petroglyph collection.
The
Australian Government has funded the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) to
undertake a Strategic Agreement Making Project which will support the World
Heritage Nomination.
The
Statement of Intent outlines how government, industry and the MAC will work
together to negotiate the terms of a Strategic Head Agreement, to support the management
of the peninsula while encouraging ongoing economic opportunities.
The
statement was earlier signed by Commonwealth Environment and Water Minister
Tanya Plibersek, and was today signed by Premier Roger Cook, Aboriginal Affairs
Minister Dr Tony Buti, Environment Minister Reece Whitby, Murujuga Aboriginal
Corporation Chairperson Peter Hicks and representatives from Rio Tinto,
Woodside, Yara Pilbara, Perdaman Industries, the City of Karratha and Horizon
Power.
It
comes as the Cook Government confirmed the transfer of four undeveloped land
parcels to the Murujuga National Park, expanding the park by 254 hectares.
The
four sites, located in the Withnell Bay area, were originally set aside for
heavy industrial use as part of the Burrup Strategic Industrial Area.
A
previous transfer of Site L at the north of Conzinc Bay occurred in July 2019,
with plans to transfer four additional undeveloped industrial sites underway.
The World Heritage-nominated Murujuga
Cultural Landscape has an estimated one to two million petroglyphs and is a
100,000ha area encompassing the Burrup Peninsula, Dampier Archipelago and
surrounding seascape.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"My
Government is proud to work with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation,
Commonwealth, and industry stakeholders to advance the World Heritage
nomination of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape.
"Murujuga
has enormous cultural significance, and only by working with Traditional Owners
can we ensure that culture is protected, and can co-exist with industry in the
area.
"This
Statement is an important step to empower Traditional Owners supporting
economic opportunities."
Comments attributed to Aboriginal Affairs
Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Murujuga
has immeasurable cultural, spiritual, and archaeological significance to
Aboriginal people who have looked after this area for more than 50,000 years.
"The
WA Government looks forward to working with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation
and industry stakeholders on the Strategic Head Agreement and to further
advance the application for World Heritage status."
Comments attributed to Environment Minister
Reece Whitby:
"By
signing this Statement of Intent, the WA Government is committing to the
principles of environmental sustainability, protection of cultural heritage and
the recognition of Aboriginal knowledge.
"It
is an opportunity to build positive relationships based on respect and equality
so we can work towards a mutually beneficial outcome that supports the
protection and conservation of the Murujuga landscape."
Comments attributed to Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation CEO Kim
Wood:
"Today's signing results from a long campaign by MAC to have its
cultural authority valued and a willingness from government and industry to
move towards a modern framework that recognises Traditional Owners' and
Custodians' self-determination and equal status in decision-making.
"MAC is looking forward to working with the signatories to form a
Heads of Agreement, following processes aligned with the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the principle of free,
prior and informed consent.
"This new and innovative agreement-making
process will allow the co-existence of this spectacular and unique cultural
landscape with industry, while creating certainty and stability - it's a truly
great step forward for Murujuga Country and its Custodians."
