The Burrup Peninsula, in the northwest of Western Australia, is home to some of the world’s oldest and most important indigenous rock carvings, or petroglyphs, which are said to date back to the last Ice Age.

Senator Campbell today admitted that some of the rock art would have to be demolished to make way for the plant.

He said the plant was important because LNG could cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60% compared to coal-fiored power, but the Australian Heritage Council had assessed the area and concluded that it meets the high threshold for inclusion in the National Heritage List.

Senator Campbell said he is holding back on making a decision about the development because he wants to ensure the major economic stakeholders are not affected by the controversy surrounding the plant.

He declined to say when he would make a decision.

“Agreeing on the right boundary is a key element of ensuring the heritage and economic values of the area can co-exist into the future," he said.

"I have previously publicly stated that I am fully aware of the significant heritage values of the area and of the need to protect these values.

"I am also very conscious of the enormous economic values of the area and its significance to the nation's economy.

"We have to get the balance right."

The Australian Heritage Council has suggested a potential boundary for a listing. The proposed boundary would define an 874 square kilometre protected area, including about 100 sq.km of the Burrup Peninsula itself and most of the islands of the Dampier Archipelago.

Senator Campbell said he was “certain” people would be able to enjoy the Burrup Peninsula in years to come despite the destruction of several carvings.