A $3.1 Billion Fertilizer Plant Risks Aboriginal Rock Carvings
- Indigenous rock carvings moved to allow urea plant development
- Project still faces opposition from some First Nations groups
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Australia has approved a multi-billion dollar fertilizer plant in the Pilbara region after the project received the green light from the area’s local Indigenous corporation, despite concerns it will damage sacred Aboriginal ancient rock art located nearby.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said on Tuesday the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, representing the five traditional owners of the land in Western Australia, had agreed a number of rock carvings could be moved safely to an adjacent site. The corporation had allowed the development of a A$4.5 billion ($3.1 billion) project by Perdaman Chemicals and Fertlizers Ltd.