Murujuga National Park Management Plan 78 2013 Department of Environment and Conservation 168 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000
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Murujuga National Park management plan 78 2013 Department of Environment and Conservation 168 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Phone: (08) 6467 5000 Fax: (08) 6467 5562 www.dec.wa.gov.au © Government of Western Australia 2013 January 2013 ISSN 2200-9965 (print) ISSN 2200-9973 (online) This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Environment and Conservation. This management plan was prepared by the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Planning Unit on behalf of the Murujuga Park Council. Questions regarding this plan should be directed to: Planning Unit Department of Environment and Conservation 17 Dick Perry Avenue Kensington WA 6151 Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Phone: (08) 9443 0333 Email: [email protected] The recommended reference for this publication is: Department of Environment and Conservation 2013, Murujuga National Park management plan 78 2013, Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth. This document is available in alternative formats on request. Front cover photos Top: North-west Burrup Peninsula beach. Photo – Laurina Bullen/DEC Bottom: An engraving of a kangaroo. Photo – Mike Bodsworth/DEC 20120355 0113 500 Dedication We, the current generation of Ngarda-ngarli, The Law in stone dedicate this management plan to the memory of our Elders. We acknowledge those who were Aboriginal people throughout the Pilbara killed defending this country and those who believe that rock engravings are the work of fought for this land through political means. creation spirit-beings known as Marrga who We are grateful for their strength, wisdom during the Dreaming times formulated the and sacrifice, which has ensured that we have rules of social conduct for human beings to opportunities denied to them in their lives. follow. The Marrga left the engravings behind as Flying fox Dreaming permanent visual reminders of how the Law should be followed. As well as being a In the Dreaming times, a large number of constant reminder of the Law, they were also Waramurrungkas (flying foxes) came out of places of continuing spiritual power. Some the sea and travelled southwards along the were associated with thalu rituals or other Burrup Peninsula, across the salt flats and totemic ceremonies, others perhaps with coastal plains and over the range of hills near initiation rites or other ceremonies. Mt Leopold. A line of dark rocks on the hills marks the spots where the flying foxes crossed the range. From there the Waramurrungkas travelled up the course of the Fortescue River to Millstream. Rocks at the highest point of the southern peninsula are the metamorphosed bodies of the ancestral flying foxes that were turned into stone there by a vengeful spirit. An exposed dolerite rock outcrop running down the face of the hill south of Karratha forms part of the mythical path of the Waramurrungkas as they passed from the Burrup Peninsula to the Fortescue River during the Dreaming times. Murujuga National Park i MANAGEMENT PLAN 2013 Vision The vision for Murujuga National Park is that: will seek to ensure the protection of the area and to revive Ngarda-ngarli knowledge, Murujuga National Park is recognised associations and responsibility. internationally as an outstanding example of human expression, innovation and survival. A Ngarda-ngarli welcome visitors to their land. lasting partnership between Aboriginal people Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the country, and the broader community that balances the to look around, and appreciate and learn from protection of its ancient and living heritage the country and its people. with the sustainable use of the region’s natural resources. Aboriginal people have occupied, used and managed the Burrup Peninsula for hundreds of generations. This is recorded on country, its special places and rich archaeology. This long history of occupation, ownership and management was broken by European colonisation, and for over 150 years local Aboriginal people had no control over the land. Through this management plan, Ngarda- ngarli and their joint management partners Watering rock engraving. Photo – DEC ii Murujuga National Park MANAGEMENT PLAN 2013 Foreword This final management plan is the result of a Environment and Conservation and the native title settlement between the Government Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation. Collaborative of Western Australia and the Traditional approaches outlined in this plan between Custodians of Murujuga, and is intended to government agencies (federal, state and local), guide management of the important Aboriginal the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and heritage and biodiversity values of the area. industry partners aim to set a new benchmark for the protection and promotion of cultural The Burrup and Maitland Industrial Estates values and Aboriginal recognition of country at Agreement was settled in January 2003, the state and national level. and was described at the time as the most comprehensive negotiated settlement involving The plan describes how the National Heritage native title and development anywhere in listed values will be protected, how research Australia. can be conducted, and how access and facilities for visitors, tourism opportunities, The proposal to establish a jointly managed education and interpretation of the magnificent national park marks a significant development cultural values can be provided. in the management of protected areas in Western Australia. The recognition of ongoing Aboriginal interests and responsibilities for managing country is at the core of this innovative and inclusive approach, and the Bill Marmion MLA final management plan provides for joint Minister for Environment management between the Department of Steve Szabo with members of the Ngarda-ngarli community. Photo – Norm Williams Murujuga National Park iii MANAGEMENT PLAN 2013 Acknowledgments The first version of the draft management some tense times along the way. However, there plan was prepared by the late Steve Szabo. was never any doubt about their commitment to Steve’s passion for the Pilbara and its people protect this unique and special place, to see it was instrumental in advancing this landmark as a place to share Ngarda-ngarli knowledge of document, and is evident throughout. Wherever country and culture with the broader community possible, the plan has remained faithful to and visitors to the area. the agreed vision developed by Steve and the stakeholders he consulted. The Burrup Peninsula Conservation Reserve Planning Advisory Committee comprised the Many other individuals and organisations, following members: both government and non-government, made valuable contributions to the management plan. Valerie Holborow Kevin Cosmos The Burrup Peninsula Conservation Reserve Audrey Cosmos Janice Brettner Advisory Committee made the greatest and most Les Hicks Ashley James sustained contribution to the development of the Mr Ranger (deceased) Mr Solomon (deceased) plan and set the future path for the management Michelle Adams Wilfred Hicks of the area. It had the task of overseeing the Tim Douglas Robert Hicks development of the plan and ensuring that a Mr Barker (deceased) Mr Richards (deceased) wide range of interests were involved, informed Mr Daniel (deceased) Daryl Moncrieff and had the opportunity to express their views. Chris Muller Warren Fish John McGowan It is particularly important to acknowledge the Ngarda-ngarli members of the advisory Several government agencies contributed, committee who were nominated by and notably the Department of Environment and represented the Traditional Custodians. Conservation (DEC), the Department of Premier There were many differences of opinion and and Cabinet’s Native Title Unit (formerly the An engraving of a kangaroo. Photo – Mike Bodsworth/DEC iv Murujuga National Park MANAGEMENT PLAN 2013 Office of Native Title), the Department of The legal representatives and advisers to the Indigenous Affairs and the Department of three native title claimants groups also gave State Development (formerly the Department invaluable assistance. In particular Michael of Industry and Resources). Within these Ryan, Alum Cheedy and Helen Lawrence from organisations the efforts of the following stood the Pilbara Native Title Service, the Hon. Ian out: Peter Sharp, Ian Walker, Bill Carr, Peter Viner QC, Grantham Kitto (Kitto and Kitto Kendrick, Stephen Van Leeuwen, Cliff Winfield, Barristers and Solicitors), David Thompson Keith Hockey, Portia Brown, Simon Choo, and Louise Kimber from Barrack and Tracy Shea, Alex Bowlay, Allisdair MacDonald Associates, and Ron Parker (deceased) from and Laurina Bullen from DEC; Mark Miley Australian Interaction Consultants should be and Warren Fish from Department of Industry acknowledged. and Resources. The close involvement of the Some of the photographs that appear in this late Norm Williams was a great support and management plan are of people who have inspired all involved. passed away. We thank the community for From Woodside Energy Ltd, Meath Hammond allowing us to keep these photographs in the made a very significant contribution of his management plan as recognition of the vision time and knowledge, and Kirsten Stoney was and commitment to country