Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan says two new possible major developments tipped for the Burrup Peninsula would not impact plans to seek World Heritage listing for the area.

The Burrup Peninsular is home to a globally significant collection of ancient rock art with a million engravings up to 45,000 years old.

The ABC has obtained a confidential WA Government briefing note which outlines two projects in the early stages of development which, it states, would create hundreds of jobs.

Mr McGowan today confirmed the Government was in talks with proponents, but added it would not impact the plans to seek World Heritage listing.

"We are working on some projects that will create jobs for local people in particular, but at the same time we do think the vast majority of the peninsular should be heritage listed, so those things go together," he said.

"We can balance both things well and I think we can do both things at the same time."

The Government briefing note warned of risk to the proposed developments if the listing goes ahead.

"There may be a reluctance for new industries to locate on the Burrup Peninsula should World Heritage listing go ahead before companies have obtained key project approvals," the note said.

"To achieve a balance between industrial development and tourism associated with a World Heritage listing, the timing of the World Heritage listing, and associated deliberations, will be critical."

Along with rock art, the Burrup Peninsula is home to billions of dollars in industrial infrastructure. ( ABC Rural: Babs McHugh )

The WA Government has reaffirmed its support for the World Heritage listing and commitment to making the nomination.

Yaburara and Coastal Mardudhunera People's Aboriginal Corporation program manager Audrey Cosmos said the area needed to be better managed, and preserved.

"I think we should get together and preserve it and protect it for the long term so we've got some history there for our future generation," she said.

Greens MLC for the mining and pastoral region, Robin Chapple, said the level of industry on the Burrup was already problematic for any World Heritage listing.

"I think the Premier has just determined that chalk and cheese do actually mix. No," he said.

"Quite clearly UNESCO has already indicated that the current level of industry on there may impinge on the possibility of World Heritage listing.

"We have got major problems here already. Any extra impacts on the rock art emissions will be a death knell for the rock art."

'Real risk' site won't be listed

Legal expert Brad Jessup from the University of Melbourne said listing a site was a long and complex process with no guarantee of success.

He said the Burrup's industrial focus could prove a problem.

"They won't be listing lightly," he said.

"I think there's a real risk that this place won't be listed because of the close proximity and the threats posed by industrial development."

Rock carvings, such as this kangaroo, are scattered throughout the Burrup Peninsula. ( Supplied: Dr Ken Mulvaney )

Many governments pursued World Heritage listing because of the tourism potential, he added.

"But given the distance this site is from almost anywhere else in the world I can't imagine that tourism potential outweighing the amount of money that governments are getting through industrial development on this site," Mr Jessup said.

"The question is: do you preserve this thing, that very few people will see, just so you know its preserved? It's a great dilemma."

The briefing note estimated the World Heritage listing recently agreed to by Aboriginal traditional owners through the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation would cost $400,000.

Each year, around 20 sites from around the world are added to the World Heritage List with more than 1,700 sites on a tentative list.

A recent Federal Senate inquiry agreed the rock art should be protected, but opinion was divided on whether industry emissions were having a negative impact on the rock art.