Ancient 50,000-Year-Old Rock Art Sparks Major Debate Over Controversial Gas Project

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A globally significant collection of ancient Aboriginal rock art is at risk following the federal government’s approval of a 40-year extension to one of Australia’s largest gas projects.

The Karratha Gas Plant, operated by Woodside Energy and part of the expansive North West Shelf project, has been sanctioned to function until 2070, far extending its prior cut-off date of 2030.

This facility is situated in Murujuga, also known as the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia, which is home to over a million ancient petroglyphs — a unique form of rock art.

The approval has ignited protests from environmentalists, archaeologists, and Traditional Owners, who argue that it endangers invaluable cultural heritage.

What is Murujuga — and why is it so important?

Murujuga is home to one of the oldest and most densely packed collections of rock engravings on the planet.

A close-up of a rocky surface with a drawing of a turtle, with a gas plant visible at a distance.

Just kilometres from the ancient rock art site is Woodside’s North West Shelf project. Source: Supplied / Save Our Songlines

Some engravings are estimated to be 50,000 years old — eight times older than the Pyramids of Giza.

Benjamin Smith, professor of archaeology at The University of Western Australia, said: “There’s nowhere with as much rock art in a small place like this.” “It’s the most beautiful environment you could ever imagine,” he told SBS News.

With over a million petroglyphs, some depict extinct animals, such as the Tasmanian tiger. Others depict the world’s earliest known representations of the human face.

“It goes back older than art. Art didn’t even exist in Europe 50,000 years ago,” Smith said.

“The art encapsulates the life and traditions of Aboriginal people over a span of 50,000 years. They regard it as one of their most cherished sites — having safeguarded and preserved it for millennia.”

What’s happening with the gas project?

The Karratha Gas Plant, which has been operating since the 1980s, is situated just a few kilometres from the ancient rock art.

Despite long-standing apprehension over industrial emissions, the Albanese government sanctioned the extension last week, permitting the continuation of operations for an additional 40 years.

Controversy over government decision to approve major extension of WA gas project image

Environment Minister Murray Watt said the decision followed scientific and community consultation, and included “strict conditions” on air emissions.

“Following the consideration of rigorous scientific and other advice including submissions from a wide cross-section of the community, I have today made a proposed decision to approve this development, subject to strict conditions, particularly relating to the impact of air emissions levels from the operation of an expanded on-shore Karratha gas plant,” he said in a statement.

Watt said the environmental approval was subject to strict conditions, particularly relating to the impact of air emissions levels from the operation of an expanded on-shore Karratha Gas Plant.

“In this case, the impact of air emissions on the Murujuga rock art that forms part of the Dampier Archipelago was considered as part of the assessment process,” he said.

“I have ensured that adequate protection for the rock art is central to my proposed decision.”

The Australian energy giant still has to accept conditions around heritage and air quality before the approval is made official.

The decision has been met with anger by environmental and Indigenous groups, who argue it will undermine efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on the ancient petroglyphs.

Is the gas plant damaging the rock art?

Yes, according to a major scientific report released last week. The 800-page ‘Murujaga Rock Art Monitoring Program’ found air pollution from heavy industry is actively degrading the rocks across all tested sites.

Smith said the findings were clear — but the WA government’s official summary downplayed risks by attributing the damage to industrial emissions from the 1970s.

“If that little power plant back in the 1970s and 80s was damaging the rock art — and it may have been — what we can say for sure now is the current industry is damaging it five times as fast because the emissions are five times the level,” he said.

Smith labelled the summary as “propaganda”, accusing the WA government of ignoring the science.

“This is one of the most weakly regulated industrial plants in the world,” he said.

A person holding a sign that reads, "Protect the Murujuga rock art," stands among a crowd of protesters.

The decision to extend the shelf life of Woodside’s Karratha Gas Plant has been met with protests from environmentalists and those concerned about the degradation of Murujuga’s rock art. Source: SBS News / Christopher Tan

Protests, three face court

On Friday, campaign group Disrupt Burrup Hub gathered outside the WA District Court, arguing the decision to extend the project’s life showed the government “cannot be trusted with protecting First Nations culture or our climate”.

The protest also served as a support rally for three of the group’s activists, who targeted Woodside’s 2023 annual general meeting with stench gas and flares, in what the group had previously described as an attempt to evacuate the building.

Also among the critics of the project is Greens leader Larissa Waters, who on Thursday said it would be “the biggest and dirtiest gas project” Australia had seen.

“I think people will be horrified that the government, who said that they were going to take the climate crisis seriously, have ticked off on yet another mega fossil-fuel project,” she said.

Greens criticise timing of report into industrial impact on ancient WA rock art image

Former Labor senator and Indigenous rights activist Pat Dodson said Watt needed to sit down with Traditional Owners who oppose the extension.

“He needs to go and talk to those Traditional Owners from that area and hear their side of the story … so they understand and he understands the depth of their concern and why they are so upset,” he told ABC Radio on Friday.

The WA government said on Friday it would undertake a four-month review of native title and cultural heritage processes in the state’s mining sector with a focus on improving outcomes for both Traditional Owners and industry.

What happens now?

Experts are calling for international attention and for Murujuga to be granted World Heritage status to help protect it from further damage.

The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, which partners with the WA government in monitoring the preservation of the rock art, said a recent evaluation report found the site to be in a good state of conservation and supported its World Heritage listing.

A woman in a black t-shirt is caressing a rock surface.

Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper plans to head to the Federal Court to challenge the decision. Source: Supplied / Raelene Cooper

Smith warned the damage already done is irreversible — but it’s not too late to prevent further harm.

“If we get the pollution down, we’re okay. If we lack the backbone and fail to do that, we will lose a lot of this priceless rock art that has been there for 50,000 years and survived for 50,000 years, carefully curated by Aboriginal people.”

“One generation of reckless modern-day industry is willing to jeopardise all of that.”

“See you in court,” Cooper said in a statement.

“I’m not on my own, I’m bringing warriors from this ngurra (Country) with me.”

— With additional reporting from the Australian Associated Press