- State Budget to include $1.33 million towards the Murujuga Living Knowledge Centre and Tourism Precinct at Conzinc Bay
- $649,000 allocated to implement the Murujuga Rock Art Strategy
- Burrup Peninsula home to rock art dating back thousands of years
- McGowan Government committed to maximising tourism opportunities on the Burrup to create jobs for locals
The McGowan Government will deliver $1.33 million to progress planning for the Murujuga Living Knowledge Centre and Tourism Precinct at Conzinc Bay on the Burrup Peninsula.
The funding, to be included in the 2019-20 State Budget, will allow the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) to complete detailed design and planning work for the centre and will ensure it is in a strong position to attract additional funding.
The Murujuga Living Knowledge Centre and Tourism Precinct is an exciting project that will provide a state-of-the-art interpretive centre for the rock art of the Burrup Peninsula – an unparalleled public art gallery of more than a million petroglyphs.
It will also provide infrastructure to support cultural tourism activities, providing an outstanding new destination for visitors to the Pilbara region.
The State Budget will also include $649,000 for the implementation of the Murujuga Rock Art Strategy to deliver a scientifically rigorous approach to monitoring, managing and protecting the unique rock art.
The McGowan Government is committed to protecting and promoting the world-class cultural heritage located on the Burrup Peninsula.
In 2018, it commenced the process to nominate the Burrup Peninsula and surrounds for World Heritage listing with UNESCO, bringing global recognition to one of the most iconic and culturally significant sites in the State.
The Murujuga Living Knowledge Centre and Tourism Precinct will be the key to unlocking the tourism potential of the Burrup whilst ensuring that this iconic location is protected and managed for future generations.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
“I’m pleased the State Budget will include funding to assist MAC to progress this important project.
“The Burrup Peninsula is home to a high concentration of incredible rock art that dates back thousands of years. It is of immense cultural and spiritual significance to Aboriginal people, and possesses enormous heritage value to Western Australia.
“The Murujuga Living Knowledge Centre will allow the stories of the rock art to be told effectively and will become the focal point for any future tourism opportunities in the area.
“It will also create new jobs for locals.”
Comments attributed to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The McGowan Government is working with MAC to protect the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal rock art.
“The Murujuga Rock Art Strategy allows us to apply world’s best practice to monitor, evaluate and report on factors that affect the condition of the rock art.”
Comments attributed to Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
“This is great news for MAC and great news for the Pilbara. The rock art at the Burrup should be recognised internationally and we expect people from all over the world to visit the centre to learn about it.
“The area has huge tourism potential that will create jobs for locals in the Pilbara. We recognise that any tourism opportunities need to be done right and we are strongly committed to ensuring the rock art is protected for future generations.”
Premier’s office – 6552 5000
Environment Minister’s office – 6552 5800
Source: Government of Western Australia