Western Australia

Location: Burrup Peninsula, Pilbara

Threat:     Destruction and damage through industrial pollution

The Burrup Peninsula is a unique ecological and archaeological area on the north western coast of Western Australia. It contains one of the world’s largest and most important collection of petroglyphs - the Murujuga - ancient rock cravings dating back as far as the last ice age. The collection of standing stones may be the largest in the world, and now appears to be severely under threat from industrial pollution.

The Peninsula is part of the Dampier Islands Group, and the whole area has been sacred to the Yaburara clan. Since development began 30 years ago, some 20% of the stones have been lost or damaged and pollution has significantly affected the quality of many of the remaining carvings. As well, there doesn’t appear to be any management strategy to protect the remaining stones in the area.

Despite these evident detrimental effects, the Peninsula is again threatened by further construction of major industrial sites, including a new group of natural gas and petro-chemical plants. The building of these plants will cause further damage to the standing stones and other parts of the collection by the resultant heavy air pollution. Some estimates suggest the rock carvings would be obliterated within 30 years should the industrial development proceed.

The Burrup and its magnificent gallery should be protected for all Australians, for all the world, for all time.

The National Trust has requested the Minister to ensure the heritage values of this precinct are conserved and interpreted through a heritage agreement. To date, no response has been received.

UPDATE:

Industrial development proceeding with government endorsement. National Trust is working with environmental groups to ensure environmental and heritage undertakings are strictly observed.