The Pluto LNG Project has set new benchmarks in cultural heritage management.

 

Located in the Dampier Archipelago, an area known for its rock art engravings, the Burrup LNG Park is being built in an industrial estate, established in 2003 by an agreement between the Western Australian Government and the local Ngarluma, Yindjibarndi, Yaburara, Mardudhunera and Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo Indigenous groups.

 

Woodside designed the Burrup LNG Park in consultation with the Traditional Custodians to avoid 95 per cent of rock art engravings within the Pluto leases and accommodate cultural heritage concerns.

 

One hundred and seventy boulders with engravings could not be avoided and were safely relocated to a nearby natural setting with the guidance of the local Indigenous groups. The heritage relocation process was completed in January 2008 without damaging a single engraving.

 

The Western Australian Government granted heritage approvals in February 2007 and a Cultural Heritage Management Plan is in place for the Pluto leases.

 

Woodside signed a Conservation Agreement with the Commonwealth in July 2007. As part of the agreement

Woodside will commit up to $34 million to identify, research and display the National Heritage Values of the Dampier Archipelago.

 

Woodside is also supporting studies on the potential impact of industrial emissions of rock art. Australia’s premier scientific research organisation, the CSIRO, is leading this research.