Australia’s latest Cultural World Heritage site has just been announced following a meeting at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
Murujuga, the world’s largest rock art site located on the Burrup Peninsula in West Australia, was officially confirmed at the 47th World Heritage Committee meeting.
“My family and community have worked for many years for World Heritage protection for Murujuga’s ancient rock art,” said Raelene Cooper, Murujuga custodian of the Mardudhunera people and Founder of Save our Songlines.
“This is a momentous day for our old people and our future generations, to have Murujuga’s outstanding universal heritage values recognised by the world.
“Our rock art tells the stories of our people and maintains our songlines and bloodline connection to our ngurra.”
Murujuga was listed with an amendment by UNESCO member states for the Australian government to continue research and monitoring of industrial impacts on the site.
This is reference to the impacts of pollution from Woodsides North West Shelf LNG processing facility, which research has shown is accelerating the weathering and degradation of the more than one million petroglyphs which make up this globally significant rock art site.
“Comments from World Heritage Committee members today send a clear signal to the Australian Government and Woodside that things need to change to prevent the ongoing desecration of Murujuga by polluting industry,” added Raelene.
“Global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga. We will continue to fight for protection for this very special place and the world is now aware of what we are up against.”
Pictures courtesy Save our Songlines
