By PETER ROWE

Traditional owners have welcomed the WA State government’s decision to transfer West Intercourse Island into the Dampier Archipelago Islands reserve network.

Located off the Pilbara coast, West Intercourse Island will now be jointly managed by Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

The island is included within the proposed World Heritage area for its cultural heritage values, including widely distributed petroglyphs and stone arrangements.

“MAC Members, who comprise more than 1,200 Traditional Owners and Custodians for Murujuga, welcome the transfer from future industry use to part of the island reserve network, MAC chief executive Kim Wood said.

“Covering around 2,300 hectares, West Intercourse Island is a highly significant location in the Murujuga Cultural Landscape, both for its size and its exceptional cultural and heritage values.

“These include hundreds of recorded rock art engravings as well as shell middens, standing stones and other evidence of continuous occupation over millennia.

“For the Ngarda-Ngarli who have strived for years to have their ongoing governance and care for Country placed at the heart of decision making and management of Murujuga, this is a great day and an important step forward.”

Over the past four years the WA Government has transferred various land sites to Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation for inclusion in the Murujuga National Park. These sites are now being jointly managed and further site transfers are to come.

Murujuga in the Pilbara region of WA contains evidence of continuous Aboriginal culture and lore reaching back at least 50,000 years.

The Murujuga Cultural Landscape, including the Dampier Archipelago Islands reserve network, has been nominated for World Heritage Listing to have its unique cultural, spiritual and archaeological values internationally recognised at the highest level.

“Murujuga is a hugely significant area to the Traditional Owners who have looked after this land for over 50,000 years, WA Premier Roger Cook said.

“We are proud to work with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to jointly manage West Intercourse Island and enable the Traditional Owners to be a partner in the ongoing management of Country and pursue economic and tourism opportunities.

“This transfer represents a mutually beneficial outcome that supports the protection and conservation and promotion of the proposed Murujuga Cultural Landscape World Heritage area.”