Call for Federal ranger funds

A spokesman from Australia’s peak heritage body has called on the Federal Government to consider funding the Burrup Peninsula’s Murujuga land and sea unit.

Speaking at Deep Gorge last week, Australian Heritage Council indigenous heritage expert Lyndon Ormond-Parker said Murujuga’s case was unique given it was primarily funded by industry.

“With the current fiscal budget cuts, I think it is always good we can get funding from elsewhere and that industry is involved in the preservation of cultural heritage,” he said. “What is really interesting with this particular ranger program is that it’s all funded through industry — they don’t currently receive any funding from the Commonwealth for their ranger program.

“Of course, I think they should also possibly be funded by the Commonwealth as there has been a downturn in the industry here, leaving less money to support such projects.”

Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said the State Government was working to boost resources for the Muru-juga rangers.

“We are trying to get more done here,” he said. “That is why we are supporting them from the State Government by giving $200,000 to the ranger program for the next four years,” he said.