SACRED ROCK ART REMOVED FROM MURUJUGA AS PERDAMAN CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
BY ELIZA KLOSER
A crane was used on the Perdaman site on Friday, when Ngaarda Media understands rock art removals were taking place. Credit: Eliza Kloser
Work commenced this week on the Perdaman urea plant being constructed in the Pilbara at Murujuga, The Burrup Peninsula.
The $6 billion fertiliser plant has been a controversial development as three sacred rock art sites will be moved as part of its construction.
Woodside Energy has signed an agreement with Perdaman to supply gas to the urea plant for 20 years.
At a ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday, Premier Mark McGowan claimed the Perdaman project would not affect the recent nomination for the Murujuga Cultural Landscape to become a World Heritage site.
Premier Mark McGowan claimed Traditional Owners had approved the Perdaman development. Credit: Eliza Kloser
Mr McGowan said the local Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC), which represents five relevant local language groups, had approved the project.
“The local Aboriginal corporation and Traditional Owners have approved the project under the way the law operates,” he said.
According to MAC’s website, the organisation has no authority to approve or disapprove developments on the Burrup.
“Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) does not have a role in approving projects within the Burrup Strategic Industrial Area – this is the State Government’s role,” the website says.
“MAC can only try to influence outcomes by lodging submissions as part of the Public Environmental Review process, and through negotiating directly with the proponent.”
At the ground-breaking ceremony, MAC Chair and Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo representative Peter Hicks said negotiations regarding the project had been difficult.
“It’s been a difficult time for our elders, the MAC board, directors and our members of the broader Aboriginal community,” he said.
“As the cultural authority representing the Traditional Owners and the custodians for Murujuga, MAC advocated strongly for protection and promotes heritage and culture.
"It is therefore a significant outcome that the state government has agreed that the Perdaman project will be the last large-scale greenfield industrial program within the Burrup Strategic Industrial Area."
Premier McGowan visited the Burrup Peninsula for a groundbreaking ceremony. Credit: Eliza Kloser
Local Traditional Custodian and Ngarluma Elder Robyn Churnside said she is “very disappointed” the Perdaman plant and rock art removals have gone ahead.
“I oppose the removal of three rock art sites which are sacred sovereign lore sitting on our Murujuga ngurra,” she said.
“These three rocks are connected on sovereign land to our ceremony and the circle of life.
“Murujuga is significant because it is a massacre site. Native Australia has no healing, we have no closure.
Construction is underway at the Perdaman urea plant site. Credit: Eliza Kloser
“We have an open wound. The longer we keep that open wound, we keep dying.”
Greens Senator Dorinda Cox questioned Mark McGowan’s statement that Traditional Custodians engaged in “self-determination” regarding the development.
“We in fact have federal legislation against removing cultural heritage, a moveable object which has cultural significance,” she said.
“I have urged Traditional Owners from the area to put an emergency claim against section 12 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.”
Senator Cox says that she will campaign for a yes vote for the Voice To Parliament this year, however the government should not wait to listen to Indigenous voices.
“Backing the Voice to Parliament while ignoring the voices of Traditional Owners is hypocrisy at its finest,” she said.
“The hearts of Murujuga people are breaking. The Statement from the Heart means nothing without any plan to preserve and protect country.”
“An important step in reconciliation is about truth and justice,” she said.
“This means for Woodside to act on the calls from Traditional Owners. It needs to stop the ongoing destruction of Murujuga’s World Heritage nominated site in the Pilbara region of WA.”
Murujuga Traditional Custodians are currently waiting for the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to release the findings from and independent investigation under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act that is looking into claims that significant Aboriginal sites on the Burrup Peninsula near Karratha are threatened by industry.
Perdaman CEO Vikas Rambal, local member Kevin Michel, WA Premier Mark McGowan and Deputy Premier Roger Cook visited Murujuga on Wednesday. Credit: Eliza Kloser