The Australian Conservation Foundation has today expressed serious concern about the de-listing of Aboriginal sacred sites in WA, including at James Price Point and at the world’s largest and oldest rock art sites on the Burrup Peninsula.
“Following the revelations from the WA parliament, obtained after questioning from Greens MP Robin Chapple, ACF would like to know why significant rock art sites at the Burrup Peninsula and the beautiful coastline of James Price Point have been de-listed from the Aboriginal Heritage Act,” said ACF’s Broome based Kimberley Project officer Wade Freeman.
“While the WA Department of Mines and Petroleum is congratulating itself on meeting mining approval timelines, 30 000 year-old Aboriginal rock art is losing basic heritage protection.
“We understand some of this protection was removed due to the State Solicitor General reporting that there was no ‘continuing religious practices’ taking place there, but Supreme Court Justice Chaney has since found this advice to be wrong.
“We now seek urgent clarification from the WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Peter Collier and Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt to ensure these internationally recognised Indigenous treasures on the West Australian coastline are not lost.”
