The federal Environment Minister has met supporters and opponents of a fertiliser plant near ancient rock art in Western Australia's north as she considers a bid to block it.
Tanya Plibersek flew to the Pilbara yesterday to meet the parties involved in the proposal to build a $4.5 billion fertiliser plant on the Burrup Peninsula near Karratha.
Ms Plibersek is considering an application from several traditional owners to stop the Perdaman project amid concerns for nearby rock art.
"I am visiting the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia to meet directly with parties involved," she said in a statement.
"This trip is for me to listen to groups involved in, and potentially affected by, any decision I make.
"I will not be making further public comment about the matter."
Ms Plibersek has not said when she will announce her decision.
'Stand up for the people'
Indigenous tour guide Clinton Walker, who runs cultural tours on the Burrup, hopes Ms Plibersek will gain an understanding of the area.
"I hope that she's had an opportunity to see the rock art, the sites where they're proposing to build Perdaman's infrastructure," he said.
"And also to see it with some of the people who have been against these things being built."
Mr Walker is a descendant of the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people.
He is concerned the location of the fertiliser plant could impact access to significant sites and thinks the facility should be built elsewhere.
"My message to Tanya is stand up for the people," Mr Walker said.
"You're voted in by the people.
"You're here to represent all the people – including the traditional owners – and you have an opportunity to show your strength and solidarity with traditional owners."
