ROCK ART ADVOCATES TAKE DIM VIEW OF RENEWABLE HYDROGEN PLANT

The development envelope and disturbance footprint of the proposed Yara renewable project. Source: EPA Assessment Report

GEOFF VIVIAN

The Friends of Australian Rock Art have come out strongly against Yara’s plan to locate a pilot renewable hydrogen facility next to its ammonia plant at Murujuga, the Burrup Peninsula.

Yara plans to build an electrolysis plant and solar farm to produce hydrogen which will be used to make ammonia.

Murujuga is home to the world’s oldest and largest collection of ancient rock art, estimated to be tens of thousands of years old.

FARA spokesperson Judith Hugo said the hydrogen produced would power just 0.04% of Yara’s ammonia production.

Yara says the project is a demonstration to show the technology is possible. The company says this technology will help them reduce carbon emissions in the future.

Ms Hugo described the proposal as “absolutely absurd.”

“[It would be] a visual eyesore on the landscape,” she said.

“It's on the way to Hearsons Cove, a recreational beach. Its also opposite Ngajarli Gorge, which has very significant rock art.”

“[It would] degrade the cultural integrity of the landscape.”

Ms Hugo said the pilot project would be better located at the Maitland Industrial Estate, 20 kilometres to the west.

“At the moment, [they’re planning to position the solar panels] on the slopes behind the plant, where there are 9 or 10 pieces of rock art they’ll have to work around,” she said.

The WA Government’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approved the experimental electrolysis plant and solar farm last week.

Ms Hugo said FARA intend to appeal against the approval.

The EPA’s assessment report states no cultural heritage sites are to be disturbed and indirect impacts on sites must be minimised. Yara must prepare a Cultural Heritage and Visual Amenity Management Plan in consultation with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC).

Earlier this week, Federal Heritage Minister Tanya Plibersek visited Murujuga. Ngaarda Media understands she attended meetings regarding applications for emergency heritage protection under the federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. Traditional custodians Raelene Cooper and Josie Alec lodged these applications to protect rock art sites they fear will be damaged by the planned Perdaman urea facility, which would be built next to Yara’s ammonia plant.