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ABC News
40 minutes ago
- ABC News
Murujuga gets World Heritage listing after 30-year campaign, but has it come too late?
Another Australian site has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, but among the celebrations are fears that the decision has come too late. The traditional custodians of Murujuga, in Western Australia's Pilbara region, have fought to have their country's physical and spiritual significance recognised and protected for decades. "Nearly 30 years of education of this culture on this country has come to fruition," Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation director Vince Adams said. Belinda Churnside, also a director of the corporation, said the listing was a "testament to the true dedication" and resilience of Aboriginal people. But scientist and rock art researcher John Black fears the damage to the site has already been done. "An enormous amount has been lost," he said. "When you drive into Murujuga now … it looks like an industrial complex, not a sacred, World Heritage-listed gallery." Dr Black hoped the islands off Murujuga, which have been included in the World Heritage area, would now be protected. "There is so much on the outer islands that have lovely petroglyphs that need to be protected, and that will happen [now]." Mr Adams acknowledged much had already been lost to industrial development at Murujuga. He said elders in the early-2000s were unhappy about an expanding industry presence and decided a World Heritage bid was the best way to safeguard the rock art's future. In the years since approvals have been granted for two more liquid natural gas trains, two fertiliser plants, and a provisional approval to extend the North West Shelf gas project to 2070. "We can't stop them — we've tried. We've had people protest … still it carries on," Mr Adams said. He saw the listing as a bargaining chip that Murujuga custodians could use. "This is the tip of the iceberg for us," the Yindjibarndi man said. Michelle Adams, who was a cultural advisor to the World Heritage application, said the listing provided more security than what the government could offer. "We know that Murujuga World Heritage is a threat to industry, and so it should be," she said. "It's deep and it's beautiful and it has to be respected to the highest degree." Ahead of the Paris committee meeting this week the nomination was in serious doubt. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which advises the committee, had recommended knocking back the bid due to concerns about the impact of industry emissions. It was only at the eleventh hour that federal Environment Minister Murray Watt secured an amendment that saw the bid succeed. "In the end, what persuaded the committee was both the scientific evidence that was put forward, which disputed some of the claims that were being made, but also the genuine passion from the traditional owners to see this World Heritage listing be secured," Mr Watt said in Paris. The amendment included softened language regarding the prevention of further industrial development. Wording was changed from "recommends" to "encourages" in relation to a variety of protections and studies at the area. Raelene Cooper, advocate for Save our Songlines, described the amendments as "ludicrous" and said Australia should have accepted the ICOMOS recommendations. "At the end of the day, we're looking for the most protections out there," she said. WA Greens MLC Sophie McNeill said the amendment "watered down" the legitimate concerns of the ICOMOS. "We are deeply concerned the rock art now doesn't have as many protections as the experts think it should have," she said. "That's why we're calling on the Cook and Albanese governments to roll back that approval of the North West Shelf extension." Mr Watt said the federal government would ensure Murujuga was protected now and for future generations. The government agreed to update UNESCO with a report on the implementation of the amendment's recommendations by the end of 2027. WA Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourne said the state government would do its part. "[The WA government] will now implement the strategic management framework and establish the World Heritage property, ensuring the ongoing protection of this significant landscape which has been recognised today," he said. Woodside congratulated the traditional custodians of Murujuga on the listing and said it had been a proud supporter of the nomination and assessment process.
SBS Australia
4 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Hello possums: authorities race to protect new population of Leadbeaters found in NSW
SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Fire ant outbreak hits BHP's Broadmeadow mine in Central Queensland
An outbreak of fire ants has hit mining giant BHP's Broadmeadow mine in central Queensland, sparking alarm and fury in environmentalists. The Invasive Species Council flagged the outbreak on Friday, warning it marked the first time the ants, which can cause devastating economic and environmental impacts, had been detected in the region. 'In the last week, we've had another detection in NSW, an interception in WA and now the first outbreak in Central Queensland,' advocacy manager Reece Pianta said. 'I am incredibly angry about this. This is not bad luck. It's a spectacular failure because of known gaps in funding, enforcement and surveillance.' The ants infect painful stings on people and animals and pose a threat to agricultural businesses. They can fly up to 5km and travel over and underground, the government's animal and plant pests and diseases website states, and can also move with shipping containers and cargo and hide in soil, mulch, fertiliser and plant material. The government has spent $690m to contain and eradicate the species since 2001 following an outbreak in South East Queensland. The 2021 Scott-Orr Review concluded an extra $200m to $300m in yearly funding for 10 years was needed to contain and eradicate the threat. 'Australia's last chance to eradicate deadly fire ants is being destroyed because Australia's governments are dithering and delaying critical funding increases,' Mr Pianta said. 'We have warned for two years that there is a major gap in funding for suppression, with nest densities off the charts south of Brisbane. 'The Senate inquiry found this. The independent program review found this. The Queensland government has raised this. The federal biosecurity department knows this. 'But every time it has been raised, the message we get back is that new funding is just around the corner if only we will be patient.' Broadmeadow is a metallurgical coalmine located near Moranbah in Queensland's Bowen Basin, about 1050km north of Brisbane. National Fire Ant Eradication Program officers visited the mine site on Wednesday to clear out the ant nests. A BHP spokesman said the company was working closely with the program to support the 'rapid containment, treatment and eradication' of the detection. Mr Pianta said the Broadmeadow detection demonstrated the country's control system was 'breaking down'. 'This outbreak at Broadmeadow is almost 800km from the known infestation zone,' he said. 'That's simply unacceptable. Every mine site and construction project across the country should be checking for fire ants. 'Any business or resident that has received materials from South East Queensland needs to check them. 'This outbreak is a national wake-up call.' In 2024, The Australia Institute warned that fire ants could cost the country up to $22bn in losses by the 2040s. It is estimated the ants will produce $2.5bn in damages each year beyond 2035.
