Massacre site to be protected

MYALL CREEK STATION, Australia, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The scene of a massacre of Aboriginal people in New South Wales has been listed on the State Heritage register.

About 30 Aboriginal men, women and children were murdered at Myall Creek Station in 1838 by European settlers. After two trials, seven of 12 men involved in the killings were hanged in 1839.

Planning Minister Tony Kelly told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. the event is an important part of the state's history.

"It's now protected with the state's highest heritage protection and it will be maintained with minimum standards," he said.

"It guarantees at least those minimum standards and they will have access to state government."

A memorial to the victims of the massacre was erected in 2001 and the event is now commemorated every year. The listing will protect the site from inappropriate development and guarantee funding for its upkeep.

Myall Creek Station is in northern New South Wales 350 miles north of Sydney.