Clough falling into voluntary administration may be the final hope for the world’s oldest and largest collection of rock art.
As a result of the administration, Perdaman’s urea plant in the Burrup Peninsula is facing delays. This may be the circuit breaker required to find a new location for the project and protect First Nations cultural heritage.
Greens spokesperson for resources and Yamatji-Noongar Woman Senator Dorinda Cox said:
“Perdaman’s urea plant has not obtained free, informed prior consent from Traditional Owners. The Minister for Water and Environment, Tanya Plibersek, needs to stop the project going ahead and find a new location for the plant.
“Murujuga contains more than a million rock art engravings dating back 50,000 years, as well as lore grounds and songlines. It’s a sacred site for Traditional Owners facilitating connection to Country, culture and spirituality.
“Now that the final investment decision on the plant has been delayed, the federal government could save the $220 million it promised to help with construction. As well as the 650,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year that the plant will emit.
“This is the final opportunity for the Albanese government to do the right thing and prevent another Juukan Gorge disaster. We need to preserve the sacred rock art from destruction and preserve First Nations cultural heritage, as was outlined in the government’s response to ‘A Way Forward: Final report into the destruction of Indigenous heritage sites at Juukan Gorge’.”