MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS ARE A GRAVE WARNING
OIL SPILLS: Cable Beach. The Timor Sea. The Gulf of Mexico. As we digest the daily updates on BP's oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, those of us considering the impacts of the potential industrial development on the Kimberley coastline see more and more reason for great caution.
Even the President of the United States is now heralding a new era equal to the impact of September 11 in which the environment is not put at such risk because the world will no longer tolerate it.
This would seem to spell significant delays if not abandonment of the Woodside proposal to bring gas onshore in the Kimberley because it conflicts with basic good sense in the light of these recent events.
Why? Well, the last twelve months saw the WA and Federal government pushing so hard for greenfield industrial development on the Kimberley coastline that indigenous permissions, critical to its go-ahead, were plagued by their indecent haste.
Now, it appears there was never any valid agreement from Aborigines to sign off on the deal. And the Federal Court is hearing an action against the KLC that Premier Barnett has said will prevent an ILUA being signed (for use of the land) by his previously confident June 30, 2010 deadline.
Throughout, Woodside and the WA government has appeared to stubbornly resist consideration of viable alternatives.
Then came disturbing hints that all is not safe and sound in the world of offshore mining.
In the same 12 months, oil spills have affected the Kimberley, the Great Barrier Reef and now the world's greatest economy, with the worst-ever oil spill offshore southern USA.
These accidents have caused concern due to an apparent lack of accountability and the absence of fix-it-up engineering to battle what industry previously boasted about as state of the art technology -- their wizardry now gone horribly wrong.
Woodside has constantly trumpeted "latest technology" for its Kimberley projects. But what good is cutting edge technology to enable such exploration and exploitation of the world's resources if an error results in a devastating disaster of international proportions? more»
KIMBERLEY GAS ISSUE GOES INTERNATIONAL
On their June 4th program, prestigious American ABC TV program Nightline questions potential industrial development in the Kimberley. In a six-minute Kimberley focused segment called, "The Most Beautiful Place on Earth," journalist Dan Harris likens the Kimberley to "the Amazon you've never heard of".
To watch the piece, go to the link below:
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/beautiful-place-earth-10833119?&clipId=10833119&playlistId=10833119&cid=siteplayer
Former Federal Court judge Murray Wilcox QC has launched a book opposing a large industrial development on the Kimberley coast of Western Australia
Former Federal Court judge Murray Wilcox QC.
Called, 'The Case Against The Gas Plant', the book is about the proposed development of a massive LNG gas plant which will use a site near Broome as its preferred processing location instead of piping to the already industrialised region of the Pilbra..
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the Browse Basin joint-venture will be worth $50 billion to the national economy but there is a dispute among Western Australian Indigenous communities over support for the project.
Launching the book in Sydney recently Judge Wilcox says Aboriginal people are being treated unfairly.
"It's a funny situation isn't it, that Aboriginal people are expected to give up their cultural heritage for the sake of basic rights such as education and health. That isn't a rule that is applied to the rest of the population," he said.
"I don't see why it should be applied to Aboriginal people."
Judge Wilcox has the support Goolarabooloo lawman Joseph Roe who said the proposal poses a threat to Indigenous culture.
He says he is prepared to do what is needed to stop it.
"There is people there still looking after the country in a very strong way," he said.
"There is still people using it today for sustenance fishing, hunting, camping, all that stuff.
Save the Kimberley and other enviromental groups are keen to point out that there is a lot of spin and "non truths" doing the rounds . This is far from a done deal With much more to come out in regard to the flawed consultation process driven by Government and proponents.
"The Joint Venture partners Woodside, Chevron, BP, BHP Billiton and Royal Dutch Shell will spend more than $1.2 billion before making a final investment decision, which is not expected before 2012. We believe that money would be better spent on the Pipeline option.
You can order KIMBERLEY AT THE CROSSROADS 'The Case Against The Gas Plant', here».
Books $30 plus postage
Combating Industry and Government Spin
James Price Point. Image © 2010 Rod Hartvigsen.
I speak to a lot of people on a weekly basis at the Broome Markets. Many are tourists visiting the town and many at this time of the year are locals getting out and about before the rains come after midday. Yes it is the wet season in Broome and the majestic storms are becoming more common.
Last Saturday, a lady I spoke to had just moved to Broome from Port Hedland, a very industrial town approximately 600km to the south and our nearest town in that direction. She had moved because her landlord of what she described as a 'dog-box' of a house, had just raised the rent from $900/week to $1300/week as he had heard another 'boom' was about to hit town!
This is exactly what the people of Broome are afraid of should Premier Barnett get his way and build a Liquefied Natural Gas plant just out of town.
But this is just one of the many problems that are scaring, dividing and threatening the people of Broome and the Kimberley. Will we continue to have clean air, pristine waters, clear skies at night to view the stars, unrestricted camping, fishing, snorkelling and relaxation along this beautiful section of the Kimberley coast? Will the wilderness be jeopardised for the hungry pockets of a few? more»
Law Boss Says "No Deal"
Joseph Roe. Image © 2009 Red Dirt Photography.
IF YOU LISTEN to WA Premier Barnett and those sections of the media which are cheering his proposals on, you might think that the recent signing on James Price Point had any real substance or was the end of the matter. With legal opinion being that agreement must be unanimous on these matters, the issue is under a cloud. Joseph Roe is the Law Boss and Custodian for the protection of the Song Cycle which includes the James Price Point locality. He says that a deal has not been done.
"There is public perception that all Goolarabooloo-Jabirr Jabirr Native Title claimants had agreed on 15/4/09 to the in-principle agreement struck between the WA State Government, Kimberley Land Council and Woodside.
It is crucial for me to clarify that there was no unanimous agreement on that date. In fact on behalf of Goolarabooloo claimants I voted an emphatic NO." more»
A rare and pristine jewel under threat
James Price Point. Image © 2010 Rod Hartvigsen.
THE MAJESTIC KIMBERLEY is one of the world's last great wilderness regions. This pristine area, rich in culture, heritage and biodiversity is Australia's last untouched frontier.
Home to many endangered species, the Kimberley wilderness is a virtual Noah's Ark, a shielded system that is much as it was from the beginning of time. Humpback Whales, marine turtles, Dugongs and Golden Back Tree Rat are just a few of the iconic species of this magnifcent part of our ancient land. Many other species of flora and fauna lie hidden here, yet to be described by science and perhaps discovered. Can you believe that this World class treasure is under threat? Learn more »
What's at stake? Explore the Kimberley environment, its fauna and its flora
Black Grasswrens are rare and restricted - mostly to sandstone habitat on the Mitchell Plateau. Image © 2008 Graeme Chapman. Press image for enlargement.
From its stunning coastline, mind blowing gorges, pristine wetlands, grassy plains, monsoon rainforests and stunning variety of savannah woodlands to an enormous geography which humbles all who visit, the Kimberley has a diversity and abundance of life which will amaze you.
The land seems harsh and at times forbidding, but don't be fooled. Most of the wild inhabitants of the Kimberley are highly specialised for life in this vast wilderness. Most will not be able to adapt to changes which heavy industry and associated infrastructure will bring to the region.
Visit our What's at stake page to get an overview of what is threatened by heavy industrial development in this region.
A rich cultural heritage. But what of its future?
From the little known and ancient "Bradshaws" and world famous Wanjinas to simpler works denoting sites of significance, indigenous art is widespread in the Kimberley. Press image for enlargement.
The Kimberley is rich in sites of cultural significance, much of it sacred and dating back to more than 40,000 years bp. The world's most ancient, inspiring and arguably most stunning indigenous rock art can be found in a number of locations across the Kimberley.
In many ways, this art symbolises the realities facing the indigenous Australians who live in the Kimberley: If the culture which maintains these priceless galleries is lost, then what of it's future? What of the future of a people whose personal and cultural identity is tied to the land which is now under threat?
"We are watching politics dictate the terms and conditions of our homelands . . . places where we've always had a sense of connection and belongingness. We are now being told that this homeland, this country is now going to be used for industrial development." - Albert Wiggan
Who should decide how the traditional custodians of the Kimberley should live and what should take place on their traditional homelands? What would industrialisation of their land mean to them? more »
What's happening on the ground right now?
Things are moving fast but you can get all of the latest news as it happens in our News & Media page or go directly to our blog. You can also keep track of what has been leading to current events by visiting our News Archives page.
If you want the latest news straight to your in-tray, try subscribing to news updates by email.
Other agencies defending the nature and culture of the Kimberley
Environs Kimberley - local conservation advocacy.
The Wilderness Society - national conservation advocacy with a strong Kimberley campaign.
WWF.
Conservation Council of WA - plenty of resources and media releases.
Friends of Prices Point - visit their blog.
