Custodian mulls legal action after gas project approval
The traditional owner says that the federal government’s largest gas project, which continues to operate until 2070, may have violated the international legal obligations of the Minister of Environment.
Environmental Minister Murray Watt Green-Lit on Friday, 40-year extension for the controversial North West Shelf Development of Woodsyide Energy in the Western Australian Pilbara region.
Murujuga traditional owner and Mardathoonera woman Raelen Cooper said the decision was “a slap on his face” and “a crime against humanity”.
“This is not only to destroy the country of Murujuga, but also will affect communities all over the world,” he said.
“Betrayal to the people of Achorijin, betrayal of our elders, betrayal of future generations. Betrayal to all Australians.”
Cooper said that his lawyers may have violated the legal duties and international legal obligations of the senator Watt.
“I will take some time to examine the full consequences of these two decisions and get more legal advice from my lawyers,” he said.
“I will have a lot to say in the coming days.”
In May, the gas company Woodsyide was given a preliminary approval, and since then the company has been meeting with government officials about the conditions given to the processing center.
Senator Watt, the restrictions on the project, gas and oil processing to continue, while the land processing facility near the world will help to protect the local rock art, he said.
The government also brought extra legal protections to a portion of the Murujuga inheritance area and forced companies to consult with local local groups to protect 40,000 -year -old carving.
In February 2022, Mrs. Cooper and Josie Alec applied for a statement in accordance with the 10th part of the 10th episode of Aborigin and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Law to protect areas on the Burup Peninsula from injury and holiness.
The damage included the removal of the sacred areas and rock engravings, the deterioration of rock engravings from industrial emissions and the deterioration of chemical discharge and cultural heritage values from visual and noise pollution.
Woodside Energy’s gas processing facilities and two fertilizer plants have been said to be the cause of damage to the application.
The Buroup Peninsula, which is also about 27 km long and also known as Murujuga, contains some of the oldest and largest petroglifs in the world.
Kaya Art landscape was listed by the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a heritage area in July.
The inscription recognizes the cultural value of more than one million engravings, some of which are thought to be more than 50,000 years of age.
Woodside, Senator Watt’s approval decision after explaining that Murujuga Rock art is determined to protect the art, he said.
