Help us to protect the Kimberley... be informed... be part of the solution...

We say

NO GAS
on the KIMBERLEY  Coast

We are NOT saying NO GAS at all - we ARE saying FLOAT the hub, or DRILL it at sea, and PIPE it to the Pilbara for processing

- these being the saner, more cost effective and environmentally responsible options!

This is NOT a Done Deal!

Help us to Protect the Kimberley... Appreciate our town and the beauty, power and uniqueness of this country.
Celebrate what we have with us!

If you are in the Broome [Western Australia] area, visit our local camping sites at Beach and James Price Point - or look them up on Google images.

This is NOT A DONE DEAL, despite propaganda to the contrary.

Let your support for maintaining the Kimberley as a tourist destination and vibrant community be known!

Write some letters. Use online petitions.
Be positive and optimistic - know that we will be successful in protecting The Kimberley and our lifestyle!

Let your support for preserving The Kimberley as a tourist destination be known. Say NO DEAL!

Woodside's Joint Venture Partners said NO

BP, Shell, Chevron and BHP have already indicated a preference for processing the gas at an already established industrial complex the Pilbara.

There is a lot of competition for gas markets in the world at the moment.

The Kimberley [Browse Basin] gas is not sold yet - it has no market - in Queensland [Bundaberg] gas is being processed cheaper - gas that is already for sale on the world market, in competition with WA gas!
It suits the venture partners to wait,,,

Only Woodside & the WA Premier, Colin Barnett, want it here – it will make more money for Woodside and the Premier wants to “make his mark” on the Kimberley. The venture partners have already indicated a preference for processing the gas at an already established industrial complex the Pilbara rather than in a pristine wilderness area, close to a populated and unsupportive town. It's cheaper, cleaner and without controversy and the environmental challenges facing the project. Shell prefers a floating hub well out to sea - also cheaper, cleaner and easier.
The Pilbara said "YES, send it here!" Broome Families say "NO!" Let them all know what you think!  

Analysis by economic analysts JP Morgan and Citigroup has shown that the main advantage of going to JPP versus existing facilities in the Pilbara is that gas processing could start 3 years quicker – but delays are already whittling away at this timeframe.

Recent leaks show both BP and Chevron have strongly objected to being railroaded into this deal by government. Woodside and Barnett tell us it’s good for the town, but beyond promises of jobs and some donations to local groups and charities, they can’t, or won’t, answer the hard questions or make iron clad undertakings.
“If you support…” is NOT a pledge – it’s a sales pitch! [See ads in local paper.]

At this link you will find suggestions for what to write and a form letter you can copy and alter to reflect your own concerns

- all the relevant addresses are also listed.

http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/kimberley/how-to-send-a-letter-to-woodside-and-the-joint-venture-partners

Gas First - then Oil !

The LPG that will be processed at JPP [if it goes ahead] lies over an expansive oil field. When the gas is gone, oil will be pumped out of this reservoir. This is normal practice. Can you imagine the effects of an oil spill or pipe leakage on this coastline and into Roebuck Bay?
Remember that there's a fault lie running down the coast...what are the potential threats to of an earthquake on the oil pipeline? There are four oils pipelines in the plans.

What about the water?

It takes huge amounts of water to process gas. Broome's supply is limited. The water used for the gas hub is the same water that was earmarked for Broome's future needs.
No guarantees are being given as to the amount of water the project will take, or whether the quality of it will be affected by the process.

From Pindan Post: Broome is already one of the fastest growing towns in Australia, having had tremendous growth over the last 20 years. The growing tourism industry along with pearling, construction and remote mining have contributed to this. Should Woodside achieve their aims in building the largest refinery complex in the southern hemisphere, this would make the  growth and competition for services intolerable and detrimental to all of the Broome Community. This new sewage plant would not remotely be capable of the extra waste…in fact Woodside will dump their waste at sea in the middle of the whale calving and turtle nesting grounds.

Rubbery Figures - size of land grab...

The government's compulsory land claim extends from Willie Creek to north of James Price Point.
It is 5 times bigger than the 2007 heads of agreement!

          "The Kimberley Land Council has told ABC Kimberley that the Notice of Intent to compulsorily acquire land at James Price Point
          states a figure of 20,571 hectares of land and sea is "notified" and of that 3,258 hectares will be for the gas precinct."
          http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2010/09/08/3006090.htm#.TpEyph_qQwS.facebook

The WA resources boom is only delivering 30% of the local jobs and opportunities promised in regional areas, according to a recent trade council report. Most work goes to preferred national contractors and “controllable” FIFOs [fly in fly out] because to employ locals opens the company to scrutiny and to pressure for social responsibility. Jobs have not resulted anywhere else – why should we believe Broome will be the first to benefit?

The community’s considerable air and water pollution concerns are being brushed aside.

Many locals with young families are promising to leave the town if the plant goes operational – they want a clean, safe environment for themselves and their children. They will not endanger their families. The outfalls of this plant are greater than some that have already caused health problems among children in other parts of the country. They include huge amounts of benzene and other carcinogens.

In processing the gas huge volumes of water will be removed from the aquifer and dumped at sea, directly affecting salinity levels.

This aquifer has been acknowledged as securing "Broome's future water needs".
Broome is in a "dry tropics" area with limited water reserves and an expanding population. It is surrounded by desert and ocean.

There have been no guarantees that water quality will not be affected by a gas hub.

We have had no social impact study of any consequence.

 
    Broome community meets and decides "NO GAS - NO DEAL!"

18,000 people of many cultures live in Broome and most were not consulted.
A survey was taken by Woodside but the results have never been released...... why do they refuse to release that information?

When asked most people do not support this project.
Many who remain "undecided" say they feel too under informed as to the ramifications to have a clear opinion... although most are definite that they want the town to remain as it is.

Only 5% of the claimant traditional owners voted “yes”.

Spokespersons for traditional owners have said: “KLC [Kimberley Land Council] does not speak for the Goolarabaloo people” The majority of traditional owner claimants were left out of the voting process. And those few who did vote for the proposition did so under threat of compulsory acquisition! Due to unaddressed social concerns even the KLC is now talking about withdrawing support for the project. The Lurujarri Heritage Trail and songline will be closed to traditional owners and their guests by this project.

The Broome Community as it exists is threatened by this development. ...

Threatened by fly in fly out workers, exorbitant increases in rents bringing loss of accommodation for locals, visitors and small business employees alike. These "recourses boom" introduced factors have destroyed many towns... Broome is a UNIQUE community, standing strong in the face of corporate greed and political egos... we want to keep Broome's soul alive for us, for you and for the future.

In terms of social impact think what 6,000 - 8,000 fly in fly out and temporary workers will do to the local community and the number og additional flights over the town. Most workers will take their money and spend it elsewhere. Those who stay, mostly single men without families or loyalty to the town, will put pressure on fishing spots and do their weekend drinking in town. The effects of FIFO workers are proving so detrimental to the social fabric in towns all over Australia that the Federal Government is investigating the practice. What about losses to tourism and jobs as the image and social makeup of the town changes? Think Port Hedland - is that the kind of town you want to live in, or to visit?

Barnett speaks of the Kimberely as “the Next Pilbara” and Broome as a future Dubai. Think Karratha!
“Just as the Pilbara was critically important to the development of WA from the ’60s, over the next 50 years the Kimberley will play a similar role…
…The gas belongs to Australia, it’s in Commonwealth waters,” he says. ”The land belongs to WA and – I think the Federal Government is aligned with what I’m saying – the Browse gas will be developed in the Browse. It will not come south. It would be cheaper in a short-term sense. But in the long term, no…”

This community has not been consulted in this process - it has been railroaded!

And we are all being lied to...

The  Kimberley Land Council which signed the deal with the government does NOT speak for the majority of indigenous people in the Broome community.

Tourism, the main income of the town, will be adversely affected.

Local companies will not get contracts [as per every other mining development, promises of local support are not met] - most contracts go to national preferred companies.

We will all be seeing the lights of this development from town - no more starry starry nights!

Is this what you want?
If not…. Tell the WA Premier, the Federal Environment Minister and the joint venture partners that you care and that you want the Kimberley, Broome and its lifestyle preserved.

This development is in our recreational backyard.

We are not receiving the necessary information that would allow us to make clearly informed decisions about our future. The hub is intended to be next to our only swimming beach to the north. The very nature of a camping trip or a day visit to Quandong beach may change: no more clear waters for the years of dredging, blasting and construction; beaches full of construction workers from the nearby camp [5km]; no more clear skies or starry nights…but smoggy sunsets are pretty! Construction is intended to continue till 2017 when the plant becomes operational. beginning 20 years of gas processing. When the gas runs out oil will be piped...

The current crown land sites of Quandong and Warmadany fall inside the the expanded exclusion zone claimed by Woodside so it's possible that these areas will not be open to public access at all. Or if,  as suggested, they are given freehold to traditional owners by Government as trade off for the JJP site free, open camping will not be an issue...  Broome people will no longer have free access to the northern beaches at all…Although with the reflected glare of the gas brightening the night skies as far as the town we may not want to camp up there anyway!

We need to keep asking hard, detailed  questions and to demand real answers. What is the reality of this development for the town and our lifestyle.

Our coast is world class and pristine.

A unique dinosaur footprint trail has been recently surveyed along the length of the Dampier Coast. The Federal Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke, has declared the Kimberley Coast tidal zone a National Heritage Area to protect this internationally significant dinosaur trail – the longest in Australia, and possibly anywhere in the world. It is unclear how Woodside will deal with this preservation order. This priceless piece of our heritage was scheduled to be blasted out of existence and concreted over by this development. The adjacent onshore land strip is still unprotected…

The gas precinct is home to many endangered and protected plants and animals.

Among them are vine thicket, the Gubinge [Kakadu Plum] tree and rare remnant rainforest that falls within the 25km² industrial development, workers camp and extended exclusion zone at James Price Point.      

              
A family of 2 adult and 3 baby bilbies was filmed and 47 holes were counted at JPP in August 2011, on land due for clearing. There are expected to be many more within the precinct. In their $85m environmental assessment Woodside couldn’t find bilbies, whereas visiting naturalists from Melbourne took a week to get them on film! It must be asked: What did Woodside spend its money on? What else is going undisclosed in attempts to debunk social and environmental concerns?  Why did Woodside leave a fuel truck behind when it evacuated men and machinery from the fire threatened area in August?   

Whales - The proposed blasting and development is in the path of migratory and calving humpback whales.

         Dugongs - Dredging will permanently destroy a large offshore area of sea bottom & precious grazing grasses.

The Minister has the power to act. With your support it is hoped he will also invoke his powers to protect the land above the waterline, which includes the nationally and culturally significant Lurujarri Trail and Songline. Tell him what you want, find form letters & petitions at www.savethekimberley.com

The Kimberley and the township of Broome are under challenge… please help us continue to be part of the solution.

Tell the WA Premier, the Federal Environment Minister and the joint venture partners that you care and that you want the Kimberley, the town of Broome and our natural lifestyle preserved. There are petitions and letter templates online.

More information, form letters to copy and links to petitions are available at various websites.                       

Be informed

 

To keep up with news and information and actions you can help with find

Google “NO Gas Kimberely”…

Be informed

Search "the Kimberley” and "no gas" on Facebook

Google "no gas Kimberley"

Visit websites

NO GAS KIMBERLEY:   http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002362357931

Save The Kimberley:  information, letters and petitions  -  http://www.savethekimberley.com 

                                    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-The-Kimberley/146254135411987

Environs Kimberley:    www.environskimberley.org

Hands Off Country:     handsoffcountry.blogspot.com   

Kimberley Direct Action:   kimberleydirectaction@wordpress.com

Write a letter
Tell politicians, woodside and the joint venture partners that you care and that you want The Kimberley and Broome and its lifestyle preserved.

Here are links to templates you can use...

         Minister fro Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.
         Parliament House, PO Box 6022, CANBERRA. ACT. 2600

         TO Joint venture partners

TO W.A. Premier Colin Barnett.

http://www.environskimberley.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-29-Letter-writing-flier.pdf

         http://www.savethekimberley.com/barnett_gashub_email.php

           Email opinions and letters to

           W.A. Premier and State Minister for Environment - 'Marmion@dpc.wa.gov.au'

Woodside: browseinfo@woodside.com.au

Donate to the independent No Gas Campaign

“NGOTKC”, BSB 016554 [ANZ Broome 13 Carnarvon Street Broome], A/c 249271156

Every donation will receive a FREE set of Gateway of Light and Abundance Activator  Discs and a free remote energy alignment if desired. Just email me with details of your donation....

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Visual links

Power Point: James Price Point LNG Project, Potential Air Pollution Impacts, Based on Woodside Reports

http://ace-wa.org/presentations/DM%20JPP%20LNG%20110316.pd

Bilbies on film:   http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com/2011/08/baby-bilbies-at-james-price-point.html

References

The Lurujarri Heritage Trail - Google it!

“The KLC does not speak for the Goolarabaloo people” Mitch Torres, Ann Poleina, Joe Roe.

The KLC has no authority to negotiate with anybody about the development of James Price Point. Nor has anybody else at this stage.

“Few Goolarabooloo people attended the meeting. None of the Goolarabooloo people knew that the KLC planned to take a vote about entering an agreement with Woodside Energy and the WA government. The notice calling the meeting stated only one item of business: Update on Negotiations about the Premiers nomination for a Gas Precinct around James Price Point. Most of Goolarabooloo, who all oppose the whole idea of the Gas Precinct, elected not to attend. They were not interested in these inappropriate negotiations.” Joe Roe

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-31/klc-director-withdraws-gas-hub-support/2864604/?site=kimberley&section=news#.TmBAs8_E8lo.facebook

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eXlUdm4tsw&NR=1

http://www.theage.com.au/national/kimberley-plant-pressure-cited-20110901-1joa0.html

TWO companies involved in a controversial $35 billion gas development say they felt pushed into accepting a proposed project site in the pristine Kimberley wilderness, a confidential US diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks says.

The December 11, 2009 cable records complaints from energy giants Chevron and BHP that conditions imposed by the government on gasfields licences left little option but follow project leader Woodside's preference for development of a Kimberley LNG precinct.

The proposed gas precinct in Western Australia has become the target of a campaign opposing development in the Kimberley by green and community groups.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/kimberley-plant-pressure-cited-20110901-1joa0.html#ixzz1Ws5X2Ddx

It stands to be a unique experience in the short history of native title in that it could actually involve some sacrifices by the broader community. It's not exactly the scaremongering scenarios that did the rounds as native title became established under the Mabo and Wik High Court of Australia decisions, but the community could foreseeably lose access to land that is popularly regarded as public.

WOODSIDE Petroleum has been issued a ''please explain'' from federal Environment Minister Tony Burke after the company sidestepped federal government scrutiny and began drilling off the Kimberley coast in a joint venture with the company blamed for the Montara oil spill.

• Meanwhile Woodside’s Fire Management Plan (World’s Best Practice) is hot in action:

Run for your life

Lock up your gates

Leave the fuel tank and

Take the water trucks

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