Australian Heritage Council
Australian Heritage Council welcomes National Heritage listing of the West Kimberley
Media release
01 September 2011
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The Australian Heritage Council has officially welcomed the addition of the west Kimberley to the National Heritage List. The official announcement was made yesterday, by Federal Heritage Minister, the Hon Tony Burke, from the west Kimberley.
Professor Carmen Lawrence, Chair of the Australian Heritage Council said the Council were delighted that a place of such significance to Australia’s history and identity had been recognised in this way.
“The west Kimberley is truly one of Australia’s iconic places and has extraordinary Indigenous, historic, aesthetic and natural heritage values.
“In addition, the west Kimberley tells stories of European settlement and exploration, the development of rich pearling and pastoral industries and ongoing Indigenous traditions.”
The area also includes rare evidence of dinosaur trackways and fossilised human footprints, found on the Dampier Peninsula.
“The national heritage assessment of the west Kimberley is the longest and most complex assessment ever undertaken by the Australian Heritage Council. It included extensive consultation with a number of interested parties including the West Australian Government, Traditional Owners, the mining industry, pastoralists and other owners and occupiers.
“The Council is proud of its contribution to the national heritage listing of this very special place.”
The National Heritage Listing means the heritage values of the west Kimberley will be protected under national environmental law.
The National Heritage List recognises and protects our most valued natural, Indigenous and historic heritage sites. Places listed in the National Heritage List are protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. For more information go to www.heritage.gov.au
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