A significant legal challenge is unfolding in Australia as environmental activists push for the protection of Indigenous rock art located on the Burrup Peninsula, home to some of the oldest and largest collections of petroglyphs in the world. This development comes in the wake of the federal government’s interim approval for Woodside Energy's North West Shelf gas project extension, allowing operations to continue until 2070.

The lawsuit, spearheaded by Raelene Cooper, a Mardathoonera woman and co-founder of Save Our Songlines, aims to compel the government to assess a heritage application that has been pending since early 2022. Cooper expressed her frustration outside the Federal Court in Sydney, stating, "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application." The court will hear Cooper's case in the week of July 14, marking a critical juncture in the battle to safeguard Indigenous cultural heritage against industrial encroachments.

Minister for the Environment, Murray Watt, has indicated that rigorous conditions addressing air quality and cultural heritage will accompany the approval of the gas project. However, critics, including environmental groups and Indigenous advocates, argue that these measures are insufficient to mitigate the detrimental impact on the petroglyphs and the broader ecosystem. Woodside has just ten days to respond to these conditions, yet tensions continue to escalate as the project may exacerbate the already significant greenhouse gas emissions associated with the facility.

Woodside’s North West Shelf, Australia’s oldest and largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, plays a vital role in supplying energy to Asian markets. The project extension, however, has sparked fears that it would release up to 4.3 billion metric tons of carbon emissions, an outcome condemned by climate advocacy groups like Australia's Climate Council, which described the approval as a failure in climate leadership. These concerns are amplified by the recent nomination of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape for UNESCO World Heritage status, sparking hopes for greater international protection of this ancient site, despite the ongoing industrial threats.

Separately, a provocative protest related to Woodside’s industrial activities has resulted in three activists receiving hefty fines for what they labelled a "successful hoax." The protestors, who disrupted a recent Woodside annual general meeting using stench gas and flares, claimed their actions were intended to highlight the environmental and cultural stakes involved, with one activist asserting that they might one day face charges for much more severe crimes against future generations.

The Burrup Peninsula, referred to as Murujuga by its traditional custodians, has long been a focal point of contention between development and preservation. Recent decisions regarding new industrial projects, such as a proposed $4.5 billion fertiliser plant by Perdaman Industries, have drawn ire from traditional custodians. While the company asserts it has support from local elders, some community leaders have contested these claims, arguing that misinformation has left many uninformed about the potential risks to sacred rock art.

As legal proceedings and public sentiments intertwine, the outcome could significantly influence the balance between economic development and cultural preservation. The government remains under pressure to ensure that Indigenous voices are adequately represented in decisions affecting their land, reflecting a broader discourse on how to proceed with industrialisation while respecting sacred heritage sites.

With the upcoming court case and ongoing environmental protests, the stakes have never been higher for the future of the Burrup Peninsula and the ancient stories etched into its rocks.

📌 Reference Map:

Source: Noah Wire Services