The Western Australian State Government and the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) have released the latest report from a major scientific program monitoring the condition of rock art on Murujuga in the Burrup Peninsula and Dampier Archipelago, in northern WA.
Led by the MAC and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program has delivered the largest and most reliable data set on rock art globally, tracking air quality, rock surface chemistry, rainfall, and pH levels affecting the area's ancient rock art.
Findings from the program have informed the development of interim Environmental Quality Criteria (EQC), which are now being used to guide regulation of industrial emissions on the peninsula.
The monitoring program and EQC form part of the Murujuga Rock Art Strategy, which has been implemented by MAC and the WA Government since 2019.
Regular public reporting against the interim criteria will begin in 2025, alongside continued research and data collection.
The WA Government, in partnership with MAC, will continue routine monitoring and assessment of air quality against the EQC, with management responses to be implemented if thresholds are exceeded.
Data gathered over the next two years will be used to establish scientifically robust final criteria to ensure long-term protection of the rock art.
Key findings from the research include:
- the program's data does not support earlier theories suggesting acid rain or deposition is contributing to damage of the rock art; and
- an initial determination of ambient air quality levels considered safe for Murujuga's rock art has been made and will be refined as the program continues.
Air quality and emissions trends
- Air quality data collected over the past 18 months aligns with previous modelling.
- Levels of key pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide have declined since 2014.
Rock surface analysis
- The upper layer of granophyre - one of five rock types under study - shows elevated porosity in an area near Dampier. Current evidence suggests this occurred during periods of significantly higher industrial emissions in the 1970s.
- Further research will investigate these processes, including the role of microbial activity and chemical or chemo-microbial interactions.
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"The Cook Labor Government thanks all involved and looks forward to the continued collaboration and co-operation with MAC and the scientific community over the final years of the monitoring studies and in the design of the long-term monitoring program.
"The successful development of these interim EQCs could not have been achieved without the knowledge and support of the Murujuga Circle of Elders, MAC Board, rangers and other personnel; a large team of 55 highly-credentialled scientists; a panel of independent, expert peer reviewers; and the Murujuga Rock Art Stakeholder Reference Group.
"The approach of the program is to achieve a transparent, risk-based and adaptive framework for monitoring and managing environmental quality to successfully protect the rock art on Murujuga from anthropogenic emissions into the long-term."
As stated by Murujuga Rock Art Stakeholder Reference Group Independent Chair Professor Stephen Van Leeuwen:
"The SRG applauds the transparency and integrity which underpins the Program as validated through the peer-review process to provide highly credible evidence-based outcomes that inform management.
"The SRG is at the forefront of ensuring rigorous, repeatable research and leading practice methodologies are applied to deliver the authority required to detect any changes and impacts to the rock art.
"The Program has been designed so that over time it transitions from universities and university researchers to being undertaken by the MAC team, the traditional custodians, and particularly the rangers."
Editor's notes:
- The Year Two report; Interim Environmental Quality Criteria; the Government Response and a Summary are published on DWER's website here
- MAC asks media to refrain from publishing independently sourced images of Murujuga rock art without prior seeking approval
