The world’s largest rock art gallery was expanded last week when a piece of land previously zoned for industrial use was incorporated into the Murujuga National Park.
The additional section of land, known as Site L, is 221ha and sits at the northern end of the Burrup Peninsula, about 35km from Karratha.
Murujuga is home to the world’s highest concentration of rock art engravings and was WA’s 100th national park and the first to be jointly managed by the State Government and an Aboriginal corporation.
Speaking at the official rezoning on Thursday, Premier Mark McGowan said the national park was being expanded because it was a beautiful area which deserved additional protection.
“One of the sites that was going to be used for industrial development will now be a part of Murujuga forever,” he said.
“One of the things the Murujuga people are very keen on is promoting tourism because it creates jobs and opportunities for their citizens, so additional enhancements to the national park will help with local job creation for Aboriginal people.”
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Peter Jeffries said the decision would assist MAC in its plans to build the Murujuga Tourism Precinct at Conzinc Bay.
“The return of Site L provides us with certainty that no further industrial development will proceed in the northern Burrup adjacent to our proposed Living Knowledge Centre and campground at Conzinc Bay,” he said.
“The centre is a watershed project which is going to showcase Aboriginal history and culture and provide a tourism boost to the Pilbara.”
Last year, the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and the McGowan Government announced a World Heritage nomination for the national park.
Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said the rock art at Murujuga was thousands of years old and held national and international heritage value.
The nomination process is on track for completion in 2022.
Source: Pilbara News
Image Caption: Envrionment Minister Stephen Dawson, Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Peter Jeffries, premier Mark McGowan and Member for the Pilbara Kevin Michel at the tranfer of Site L in to the Murujuga National Park. Credit: Shannon Beattie