22 December
2006 - An application for an emergency heritage listing
of WA’s Dampier Archipelego and the Burrup Peninsula has
been declined by the Minister for the Environment and
Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell.
“I have consistently stated on a number
of occasions that I recognise the overall area is an extremely
significant place and I will continue to work towards
a National Heritage Listing,” he said.
“But on the basis of evidence presented
to me, which includes advice from the Australian Heritage
Council, I do not consider that the perceived threat to
National Heritage values of the area warrants an emergency
heritage listing. According to the Council, while the
overall region has National Heritage values, not all sites
in the Dampier Archipelago and the Burrup Peninsula have
the required values.”
Senator Campbell said the request for
emergency listing related to construction by Woodside
Energy Ltd of onshore facilities for its Pluto liquified
natural gas project.
“The area nominated in the emergency
listing totalled 874 km2 of land comprising islands in
the Dampier Archipelago and the Burrup Peninsula itself,”
he said.
“But the only specific location which
I am advised has an immediate threat to National Heritage
values is part of the area known as Site A where the disturbance
footprint is less than 0.2km2. This represents around
0.02% of the total area recommended under the broader
National Heritage listing nomination.
“I have been advised that there is one
standing stone within the disturbance footprint which
might have National Heritage values, but that Aboriginal
groups in consultation with the WA Government agreed the
stone could be removed.
“I am further advised that the values
that such stones represent are found in a number of sites
on the Burrup and some islands in the Archipelago.
“Following advice from representatives
of each of the five Traditional Owner groups, the disturbance
footprint was designed by Woodside to ensure that no engravings
of high archaeological significance would be impacted
by development activities.
“There are believed to be up to 1 million
pieces of rock art in the Dampier Archipelago, including
in the Burrup area. Other motifs and archaeological material
within the footprint will be relocated by Woodside in
accordance with a cultural heritage management plan.
Senator Campbell said that while the
area as a whole is a significant place, the perceived
threat to National Heritage values of the Dampier Archipelago
did not warrant an emergency listing.
“As such, I have today given approval
to Woodside for initial preparation works at ‘Site A’,
including engineering works and fencing.
Woodside has lodged a separate application
for approval to proceed with its broader Pluto gas project.
This will require approval by the WA and Australian governments
before it can proceed.
The Australian Government is working
closely with the WA Government and other stakeholders
to finalise an outcome on the broader heritage nomination
for the Burrup which balances the heritage significance
of the area with the needs of industry.
“The Australian Government, together
with the WA Government and key industry representatives
have all publicly stated they believe that National Heritage
listing and Australia’s economic prosperity can co-exist
to the advantage of all Australians.
“Through negotiation with the WA Government
we are close to achieving an outcome that will deliver
a win for the environment, a win for Indigenous heritage
and a win for Australia’s resources sector.
Regina Titelius
Rob Broadfield
