Watt claims ‘factual inaccuracies' used to defer Burrup rock art World Heritage bid
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has accused a United Nations-linked international cultural heritage organisation of putting the Murujuga rock art gallery World Heritage listing bid at risk using factually incorrect information influenced by media.
The bid to put the rock art gallery containing a million ancient petroglyphs on the UNESCO World Heritage list was dealt a heavy blow this week, with UNESCO poised to defer its long-awaited decision over concerns about the impact of industrial emissions on the area.
The bid, supported by the WA and federal governments, was lodged in 2020 and a decision was pencilled in for UNESCO's upcoming July meeting.
In a draft decision published on its website, UNESCO's World Heritage committee recommended the application be sent back to the Australian government to address concerns about the impact of industrialisation and emissions on the petroglyphs that make up the gallery.
The draft decision to be considered in July was derived from a report by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which is tasked with assessing sites nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing.
The UNESCO committee called on the Commonwealth to 'ensure the total removal of degrading acidic emissions, currently impacting upon the petroglyphs of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape', and 'prevent any further industrial development'.
Environmental groups praised the draft decision, saying it proved industry – including Woodside's nearby North West Shelf assets – could not coexist with the rock art without destroying it over time.
Watt, unloaded on the ICOMOS report.
The environment minister accused the organisation of being influenced by media and non-government organisations rather than science.
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