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But the Federal Government yesterday rejected an emergency application to heritage list the site, saying it could obstruct the development of the Australian gas industry.
Widespread protests have followed a plan by oil and gas giant Woodside Petroleum to build the Pluto liquefied natural gas plant on part of the Burrup Peninsula, which would affect 165 indigenous carvings.
Campbell today told ABC News that he would not be rushed into a decision to consider an application, lodged jointly by the state’s former premier, Carmen Lawrence, the Greens and independent MP Peter Andren, for the site to be urgently heritage listed.
He said the application could hinder the nation’s gas development and that it is important to protect Australia’s heritage but also the economy and jobs as well as seeing natural gas exported.
“This is, basically, an application from Kevin Rudd’s Labor and the Greens to put a spanner in the works of the biggest natural gas project in Australian history,” Campbell told ABC Radio.
“It seeks to effectively close down that project ... on the pretext of rock art in less than .02% of the Burrup Peninsula.”
Campbell said he believed the indigenous community, which has responsibility for the art, says it is happy for at least one carving to be moved.
He said he was working with the developers, economic proponents, the WA Government and local communities, including indigenous communities, to reach a solution.
Campbell said he hopes to have the issued resolved by the middle of next year.