• Cook Government transfers West Intercourse Island to the Dampier Archipelago Islands reserve network
• Island will be jointly managed by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• The island is included in the Murujuga Cultural Landscape, which is currently being nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List

The Cook Government will transfer West Intercourse Island into the Dampier Archipelago Islands reserve network, returning the island to its Traditional Owners and Custodians.

Located off the Pilbara coast, West Intercourse Island will 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.

The transfer will allow for future promotion, preservation and protection of the island, through joint management arrangements with the Traditional Owners and Custodians for Murujuga, known collectively as Ngarda-Ngarli.

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.

West Intercourse Island is currently a mix of unmanaged industrial development and infrastructure corridor and unallocated Crown land.

The transfer of West Intercourse Island into the Dampier Archipelago Islands reserve network strengthens the nomination and allows for future protection of the area from industrial development.

As stated by Premier Roger Cook:

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

“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.”

As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti:

“Murujuga has immeasurable cultural, spiritual, and archaeological significance to Aboriginal people.

“Returning this island to the Traditional Owner’s management continues our Government’s commitment to ensuring positive outcomes for Aboriginal people and their communities.”

As stated by Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation CEO Kim Wood:

“MAC Members, who comprise more than 1,200 Traditional Owners and Custodians for Murujuga, will welcome the transfer of West Intercourse Island from future industry use to part of the island reserve network to be jointly managed by MAC and DBCA.

“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.”

As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:

“The Dampier Archipelago is a landmark for the Pilbara, and a significant cultural site for the local Aboriginal community.

“I look forward to the transfer of West Intercourse Island opening up new opportunities to protect and promote this important site for generations to come.”

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