- New reference group to meet next week
- Rock art monitoring strategy due by the end of 2018
Environment Minister Stephen Dawson has today announced the establishment of a Burrup Rock Art Stakeholder Reference Group to oversee finalisation and implementation of the Burrup Rock Art Strategy.
The strategy will provide a long-term framework to monitor, analyse and address any changes to the Aboriginal rock art from emissions.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the strategy in partnership with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation.
The new reference group will meet for the first time on September 10, 2018.
Dr Ron Edwards has been appointed as the independent chairperson of the stakeholder reference group.
Dr Edwards has extensive board experience in the fisheries, resources and not-for-profit sectors. He is the co-founder of the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation for indigenous youth and serves on the boards of the Perth Mint, Landcare Australia, the Anglican Schools Commission and the Potato Marketing Corporation.
He was the Federal Member for Stirling in Western Australia between 1983 and 1993.
The reference group includes representatives from:
- Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation;
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation;
- Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation;
- Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage;
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions;
- Pilbara Ports Authority;
- Pilbara Development Commission;
- Western Australian Museum;
- City of Karratha;
- Federal Department of the Environment and Energy;
- Yara Pilbara;
- Rio Tinto Iron Ore;
- Woodside Energy Ltd;
- Centre for Rock Art Research and Management, The University of Western Australia; and
- Friends of Australian Rock Art.
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
"This reference group will help facilitate engagement between key government, industry and community representatives as we develop and implement the Burrup Rock Art Strategy.
"This strategy is key to protecting the Burrup Peninsula rock art which is of immense cultural and spiritual significance to the traditional owners, and is of local, State, national and international heritage value.
"It will set out improvements to monitoring and provide a responsive management approach based on the best available science.
"The strategy will be implemented in partnership with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and in consultation with the other stakeholders."
