Albanese Government to support Traditional Owners' push for Murujuga World Heritage listing

The Albanese Government will this week support Traditional Owners of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape, as they seek World Heritage listing for the globally significant site at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (47COM).

Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt will travel to the UNESCO headquarters in France to put Australia’s case for Murujuga’s nomination and to update the Committee on the state of conservation of previously inscribed sites.

Australia’s strong presence at 47COM is a meaningful opportunity to support the protection and conservation of some of the world’s most important cultural and natural sites.

Minister Watt will demonstrate Australia’s commitment to First Nations heritage protection, addressing climate change threats to World Heritage sites and assisting international partners with heritage management.

This includes Australia’s nomination of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in Western Australia for inscription on the World Heritage List.

Murujuga is home to one of the largest, densest and most diverse collections of rock art engravings, also called petroglyphs, in the world.

It is the only place on Earth where the story of the people and their changing environment has been continuously recorded through art for more than 50,000 years.

World Heritage listing would add to the already significant protections that have been imposed to preserve this enormously significant site.

This nomination was prepared in partnership with the Traditional Owners and Custodians from the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, as well as the Western Australian Government.

The Committee will also consider formalising an official name change for the World Heritage listed Fraser Island to K’gari, reflecting the long-held wishes of the Butchulla Traditional Owners.

As part of 47COM, Australia will also deliver updates on the State of Conservation for the World Heritage Listed sites of the Great Barrier Reef, Greater Blue Mountains and Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, outlining the Government’s significant action to preserve these important sites, particularly in light of natural disasters in recent years.

Minister Watt said World Heritage properties were irreplaceable global treasures that needed to be protected for future generations.

“Australia has consistently shown international leadership in promoting the interests of First Nations people in the World Heritage system, and combatting climate change at World Heritage sites,” Minister Watt said.

“All Australians can be immensely proud of our heritage sites, both ancient and modern.

“Not only is Australia home to many cultures from across the world but also the world’s oldest continuous living culture.

“As part of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape nomination, I am delighted that representatives of Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation will be joining the Australian delegation in Paris.

“It is a great privilege to support the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga in their efforts to have this globally significant cultural landscape included on the World Heritage List.”

If listed, Murujuga Cultural Landscape will become the second place in Australia recognised solely for its First Nations cultural heritage.

This follows the listing of the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in Victoria in 2019.

“Australia is proud to be home to 20 World Heritage sites, including Uluṟu-Kata Tjuta National Park, the Sydney Opera House and our iconic Great Barrier Reef,” Minister Watt said.

“These sites are globally significant in displaying outstanding universal value, driving our commitment to their preservation.”

The World Heritage Committee meets annually and is a governing body for UNESCO that is responsible for identifying and protecting sites of outstanding universal value.

47COM takes place in Paris from 6 to 16 July.