A WA parliamentary question addresses the protection of Aboriginal rock art on the Abydos-Woodstock Reserve in the Pilbara, specifically regarding potential threats from a proposed railway by Fortescue Metals Group. The Minister acknowledges the site's significance and ongoing review process.

AnsweredQoN 280Legislative Council
Asked
10 May 2006
Portfolio
Indigenous Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

ABYDOS-WOODSTOCK RESERVE, PILBARA - ABORIGINAL ROCK ART
(1) Is the minister aware of the significant Aboriginal rock engravings on the Abydos-Woodstock Reserve in the Pilbara? (2) Are the site and the engravings protected under state legislation? (3) If yes to (2), under what legislation? (4) Is the minister aware that the rock art on the Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is under threat from the proposed Fortescue Metals Group Ltd railway? (5) Does the minister intend to visit the site to apprise herself of the value of the rock art and the concern of the indigenous people of the area? (6) If yes to (5), when will the visit take place? (7) If no to (5), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(2) Yes. (3) The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is registered as a protected area pursuant to section 19 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. (4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
(2) Are the site and the engravings protected under state legislation? (3) If yes to (2), under what legislation? (4) Is the minister aware that the rock art on the Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is under threat from the proposed Fortescue Metals Group Ltd railway? (5) Does the minister intend to visit the site to apprise herself of the value of the rock art and the concern of the indigenous people of the area? (6) If yes to (5), when will the visit take place? (7) If no to (5), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: (1)-(2) Yes. (3) The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is registered as a protected area pursuant to section 19 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. (4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
(3) If yes to (2), under what legislation? (4) Is the minister aware that the rock art on the Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is under threat from the proposed Fortescue Metals Group Ltd railway? (5) Does the minister intend to visit the site to apprise herself of the value of the rock art and the concern of the indigenous people of the area? (6) If yes to (5), when will the visit take place? (7) If no to (5), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: (1)-(2) Yes. (3) The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is registered as a protected area pursuant to section 19 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. (4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
(4) Is the minister aware that the rock art on the Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is under threat from the proposed Fortescue Metals Group Ltd railway? (5) Does the minister intend to visit the site to apprise herself of the value of the rock art and the concern of the indigenous people of the area? (6) If yes to (5), when will the visit take place? (7) If no to (5), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: (1)-(2) Yes. (3) The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is registered as a protected area pursuant to section 19 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. (4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
(5) Does the minister intend to visit the site to apprise herself of the value of the rock art and the concern of the indigenous people of the area? (6) If yes to (5), when will the visit take place? (7) If no to (5), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: (1)-(2) Yes. (3) The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is registered as a protected area pursuant to section 19 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. (4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
(6) If yes to (5), when will the visit take place? (7) If no to (5), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: (1)-(2) Yes. (3) The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is registered as a protected area pursuant to section 19 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. (4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
(7) If no to (5), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: (1)-(2) Yes. (3) The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is registered as a protected area pursuant to section 19 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. (4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: (1)-(2) Yes. (3) The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is registered as a protected area pursuant to section 19 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. (4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
(1)-(2) Yes. (3) The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is registered as a protected area pursuant to section 19 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. (4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
(3) The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Abydos-Woodstock Reserve is registered as a protected area pursuant to section 19 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. (4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
(4) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has received a submission from Pilbara Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, seeking a variation to the Woodstock-Abydos protected area for a 200-metre rail corridor. On 13 April 2006, the minister advised the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites that she was satisfied Fortescue Metals Group had, under section 21, shown reasonable cause as to why its interest in the matter should be taken into consideration. The minister directed that it be considered at a meeting of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee. The ACMC met on 3 May 2006 and has requested further advice from FMG and the Department of Indigenous Affairs before it can provide a report to the minister. The ACMC will further consider this matter at its June meeting. (5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.
(5)-(7) The minister is considering a visit to the site; however, it is subject to certain gender restrictions. It would be appropriate to discuss such a visit with the traditional owners of this area.

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