Protect the Kimberley- Community Rally!

Save The Kimberley supported The Wilderness Society and the Protect the Kimberley alliance in organising a rally in the heart of WA Premier Colin Barnett’s electorate of Cottesloe. The rally was held November 28th, 2010 @ 11am at the Cottesloe Civic Centre, Main Lawns.

Indigenous Custodian and Save The Kimberley Co-Chair Neilo McKenzie will join WA environment groups for the largest rally to save the Kimberley ever held in Perth.

Indigenous Custodian and Save The Kimberley Chairperson Neil McKenzie spoke at the rally and there was live music and a Save The Kimberley information stall, along with information and speakers from WA’s leading environment groups.

Our stall organiser, Perth volenteer Liz reports:

Perth people came out in force on Sunday in Colin Barnetts electorate to tell him and Woodside that we say no gas on the Kimberley coast. Over 1000 people turned up to show their support, with banners, placards and costumes. Speakers from environmental groups spoke to the crowd about the environmental impacts of such a development at James Prices Point, the political agenda of Colin Barnett, and the alternatives for processing Browse Basin gas elsewhere. Neil McKenzie from Save the Kimberley reminded us that James Prices Point is crown land, which belongs to all of us, so we must fight for it.

The Wilderness Society, Like Nowhere Else and Save the Kimberley, amongst other organizations, had information stalls set up around the perimeter, where flocks of people gathered to talk to stallholders about how they can help, and gave generous donations to the cause. People signed postcards to send to the Prime Minister, Tony Burke and Colin Barnett informing them that reckless industrialization of the Kimberley will not be accepted by the people of Australia.

All in all it was an inspiring day, Perth showed its Premier that we will not lie down whilst he destroys a precious part of our state, but rather, we will fight him all they way. The cottesloe rally is the first of many demonstrations, and we will be reminding him of the fight at every opportunity.