Friday, October 31, 2008

Message from the Goorlil

A little friend made this especially for redhand and especially for all the marine life that are part of this living planet and who so often dont have any voice.

Just a reminder.




Too much text below. I think we need a picture to remind us all what we are fighting for. Shot from Flat rock looking towards James Price Point.
I know the average Martian might like some development in a nice picture but sorry, nothing there now and hopefully never.
On that subject.
I don't think that we do have thousands of kilometres to 'move our recreation to...'
Apart from the stretch of coast from Broome to Hidden creek, there are very few spots that i can take my kids camping without asking a landowner for permission.
Think about it.

Gas hub Site Evaluation Submissions

The Wilderness Society has done the hard slog and gone through the Northern Development Taskforce (NDT) site evaluation reports part A&B, identifying 4 sites in the Kimberley for further evaluation for a 28 day public comment period. On the following link page is a suggested submission for people to use and send in before 5.00pm, Tuesday 11 November.
http://www.wilderness.org.au/articles/kimberly-gas-hub-site-selection
Have a look and please send it, or a variation of it, in.
Have your say.
Speak out.
We have to stop this crazy proposal.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Save the Kimberley Petition

A petition has been drawn up for everyone to sign. It is directed to the WA Legislative council and can be signed by those who .......oppose the development of a LNG processing hub, its associated infrastructure and industries on any part of the Kimberley Coast........
It also states........
We ask the Legislative Council to support further research into the Kimberley’s ecosystems.
We ask the State Government of Western Australia to nominate the Kimberley Region for World Heritage listing...............

You can get a copy from the following link
http://www.dampierrockart.net/Media/2008-10-25%20Kimberley%20LC%20Hub%20petition.pdf
Please print out copies and get as many signatures as possible in your area.
Also send it around the country to help save our beautiful backyard.
The hard copy petitions need to be posted back to the address on the document. (as an indication, over 150 signatures were collected in just a few hours at last saturday morning's Broome's Courthouse Markets!)

The Passion, Broome

Received this by email today. We agree the video on the Woodside home page should be watched, we'll add to our links, thanks kurkara.

Hello Red hand
Thank you for your passion, thank you for caring for country, thank you for your protests, Voicing opinions, and work ongoing....thankyou.

The Blog is fantastic, better and better all the time. What are your thoughts on placing the link for the Woodside video where all can access it easily; on Hands Off Country? It is shocking to think....I don’t want to say it.

I feel this video http://www.woodside.com.au/ gives an insight into the physical size, the disruption to country, and the associated infrastructure and industries, of such a development; if all visitors to the blog are able to easily view this footage?

kurkara

Express Your Objections to Premier Barnett about LNG Hub in the Kimberley

Send this to all you know who are able to be at Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club on the date and time below. E-mail and Txt! And tell 'em...keep an eye out for Colin!!

When: Wednesday 5th November 7:30pm
Where: Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club,
87 Marine Parade, Cottesloe ,
Western Australia

Be Vocal

Price's Pt is too precious

IS JAMES Price Point worth preserving in its natural state? After all, there is only bush, sand, pindan cliffs and rocks there.
Maybe so, but anyone who has taken the time to travel the 60km from Broome on the winding track which eventually reveals the pristine beauty of this unique spot could not but be moved.

Having made the trip myself on numerous occasions over the past 30 years to camp, fish and explore, it’s hard to believe this peaceful area may soon change forever.

Presently there are no unsightly human structures of any type to be seen, no matter how far you may squint into the far horizon.

Isn’t Price’s Point a very significant site for Aboriginal people who have strong connections to the Lurujarri Trail? In a previous newspaper, The Broome News, over 20 years ago the custodian law keeper of that area stated that Price’s Point was a “non-development zone to be used as per tradition for camping, learning and recreation”.

There are limited areas within easy driving distance where “Broomites” can get away and unwind, so why take Price’s Point away from them? Obviously offshore gas will bring wealth and mega development but is it worth the environmental cost?

Progress will no doubt mean a sealed road in the not-too distant future where we can reach Price’s Point in half the time and then won’t we be delighted to show our children the LNG hub.

Brian Kane, Broome
Opinion: Broome Advertiser, Thursday, October 30, 2008, Page12

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Hey Carol, where do you go camping with your kids?


Carol Martin has suggested that her preferred site for a Gas hub is James Price Point. Please tell me where you go camping with your kids Carol.

My favourite place is James Price Point.

How dare you promote this place as a site for industrialisation. This is my families (and many other Broome people) favourite spot for a weekend camp.

We can go snorkelling, fishing, crabbing, sightseeing and just walking along the best beach in the world.

The high red Pindan cliffs streatch for miles with huge tides that either fill the bay with beautifull turquois waters that wash against the cream and black sands or expose reefs of corals that equal the best in the world!

Yes, you may gather I am passionate about this area. I AM!

Leave it alone.

Broome Advertiser 30 October 2008


Thank you Broome Advertiser, for keeping the proposed LNG gas hub on the Dampier Peninsular in the public domain, you’ll be pleased to know that the Broome Advertiser is in cyberspace before publishing date!

“Banners sprout in Broome as LNG campaign grows. Protests anger authorities.”

Red hand’s first response to this article is to Councillor Chris Mitchell. He describes the banner as “a visual distraction which would cause accidents”. That’s exactly what we think the gas hub would be on any of the four proposed locations, an enormous distraction that has the potential to cause massive environmental and social accidents.

“Its un-Broome like” to us to support an industry that will destroy the very fabric of the heritage and industries that have sustained and supported Broome for nearly 125 years. How would the Shire President advise the Broome community and Redhand to object to this proposal?

Carol Martin, we are sorry you are not bothered about the banner outside your office because we are very concerned about climate change, damage to the environment, taking land off people who have lived there for generations and destroying cultural connections. We are also concerned about destroying recreational opportunities for Kimberley people who go to James Price Point. It’s priceless. Also “development was about breaking the poverty cycle for Indigenous people.” This is about people, people being forced off their country and to give up their country just to receive services which most people in Australia consider basic or essential. It is not reasonable or equitable.

So Carol, you want to use the banner for recycling? Fantastic! We approve of recycling because we can rest assured that future banners will be recycled as well
“........the majority have made it clear we need development.” If this is fact based on accurate research, would she please provide her constituents access to these findings? Red hand would be very keen to publish her research on handsoffcountry.blogspot.com.

We will not give up the Kimberley without a fight. Hands off country and stand up for the planet.

Is this the future for Broome?

Plans to build a $12 billion LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) plant in the Northern Territory to process gas from Western Australia, has Darwin in an economic buzz.
But it has also resulted in an accommodation crisis and some locals have been forced to live in sheds...............................http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/26/2401433.htm
Is this the future for Broome?
With any huge industrial complex close to Broome, we will be changed forever. The lifestyle we came here to enjoy will go. The 'Broometime' lifestyle that the rest of Australia envies will be no more. Do YOU want that? if the answer is NO, then SPEAK OUT.

Public meeting in Colin Barnett’s electorate of Cottesloe

Hello,I am organising a public meeting in Colin Barnett’s electorate of Cottesloe, for next Wednesday 5th November, and would like to know if you are able to help promote it on your website?
If you have any questions about it, please give me a call, on
0433 295 385. Loving your work by the way!

The Wilderness Society WA will be holding a public meeting on the future of the Kimberley region.

When: Wednesday 5th November 7:30pm
Where: Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club, 87 Marine Parade, Cottesloe , Western Australia
The event will feature presentations from:
Richard Costin, Whale Researcher and Filmmaker, who will be presenting some spectacular footage and discussing the results of recent Humpback whale survey research.
Josh Coates, Kimberley Campaigner,
The Wilderness Society

Tim Nichol, Mining expert and Environmentalist, Conservation Council of WA.
Filmmaker John Totte, Blue Office Productions, will be showcasing never before seen footage of the Humpback whales and the Kimberley taken on a recent research trip.
RSVP essential – wa@wilderness.org.au or 9420 7255
Thank you Renae Williams
Community Campaigner
The Wilderness Society (WA)City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi Street
West Perth WA 6005, 08) 9420 7255,0433 295 385

Help Keep Our Country Clean

“By Order of the Broome Shire Clerk”, for more than twenty years, there are signs plastered all along the Dampier Peninsular encouraging and informing locals and visitors alike to.
Shoot only cameras
Take only Memories
Leave only footprints
The majority of people who have visited the Dampier Peninsular have understood, respected, protected and implemented these conservation initiatives over the years. There are also signs thanking all of us helping the Shire keep the country clean.
However, what is good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander!
Colin Barnett and Carol Martin are openly and publicly inviting the development of a Gas Processing Hub within Dampier Peninsular that will:
Shoot Indigenous Rights back forty years
Take everything and more
Leave huge scares from environmental disasters
Therefore, Red hand queries, what will be the new “Orders of the Broome Shire Clerk” for the Dampier Peninsular?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Showdown looms over Kimberley gas hub decision : thewest.com.au

Showdown looms over Kimberley gas hub decision : thewest.com.au Clink on link here.

Gift to Hands off country


Red hand would like to acknowledge the very generous gift from a friend of Hands off country. This vehicle will provide assistance for Red hand and Blueye to bring you, out there in cyberspace, more information, photos, videos and most importantly the stories.

Red hand's Digital Fingers go remote



Red hands’ digital fingers (Francesco and Elena) have left Broome to continue on their journey however, they will only be as far away as their laptops.
Red hand would like to thank both Francesco and Elena from the bottom of our hearts for their time, energy and training they provided Red hand over the last few short weeks,
We look forward to their return next year. Safe travelling our dear dear friends.

Gas supporter changes his mind

Bobby tells Red hand how he previously supported the gas plant but now with the change of direction by Premier Colin Barnett he does not support the gas plant. He is unhappy about the lack of respect to people and country by Mr Barnett.

INTERVIEW BOBBY BOWLES

INTERVIEWER Good morning.
BOBBY BOWLES Morning
INTERVIEWER Thanks for agreeing to talk with us, Red hand. And if you can just let us know what your name is and whereabouts on the Peninsula you live and how you see this LNG gas plant proposal affecting you and your lifestyle.
BOBBY BOWLES My name is Bobby Bowles. I live out at Bells Point with my son. At the very beginning I was in support of the gas plant to get jobs from the gas plant to get jobs for Aboriginal people and non Indigenous people. The way I see it now we had half a chance of having industrial complex and environmental studies and country looked after. At this moment in time with the new veto coming through with Colin Barnett. I don’t think that’s gonna be possible. Because if Colin Barnett is going to have no respect for the people and country. How are the people coming down from him doing all the management studies for the environment? How are they going to have respect for people and country? If the boss man is saying, nuh I’m not showing no respect to them? A veto is a very powerful law and it should not be handed down on this situation. The vote should come from the people and allow us as leaseholders and people that have actually lived at the block and TOs (Traditional Owners) to have a say in this, on this matter. But at the moment in time I am going against this. To have the gas plant out at North Head because as I said earlier boss man ‘s got no respect for people and country that is going to pass down right down to people. The people that knock off from work, they can fill up their tanks they can just go driving looking for crabs, fish anything. What I proposed on the table before as soon as they leave work they go through an organised business that’s organised. This is a very big thing that’s got to be managed properly. And if it’s not managed properly it’s going to fall down. In its current form it is gonna to fall down and I’m voting no against it. Because respect is not being shown up here and it’s not going to be shown down here.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Global Message Reinforces Our Stance

Blueye reckons this is a must see Doco on the health of Mother Earth and why it is imperative that the Gas Hub must never be built on the Kimberley Coast.
There are only 5 remaining Wilderness places in the World and the Kimberley is one of them. This is an opportunity for the Kimberley Community to make a stand and that we will no longer tolerate the dirty business that is the Resource sector.
We will not jump aboard the thundering roadtrain that the Politicians and Big Business would like us to and believe that there are many other opportunities for the Kimberley to embrace that would make us leaders in the Alternative Energy field with no need to steal country off people and create real economies with real jobs for the real people in this country .
Keep Tuned for further information!!!!!!

click on link to view doco

VIDEO LINK : http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2399646.htm

The hub looms up behind the Beagle Bay Church



What is the future of one of the icons of the Dampier Peninsula? The Beagle Bay Church will no longer be as pretty as a picture. And what if it crumbles and collapses as a result of the pile driving, massive earthworks and traffic expected on and offshore? The Beagle Bay Church was repaired recently as a result of the tower collapsing due to age and weather? We don't know if it will survive the construction phase of the hub?
Shock tactics. Hands off country.

Look now, 36 hours later and in come the constabulary

We question Carol Martin's support for her ill informed and outrageous statement that she preferred James Price Point for the LNG hub. How is it this banner stayed up for so long? No gas. Hands off country.
http://youtu.be/ge4vlC7a07s

Carol Martin's welcome sign


Red hand encourages everyone to take their objections, protests and point of view directly to the door.
This is the protest campaign we have to have.
Carol Martin, Member for the Kimberley Office
19 Barker Street,
Broome phone 08 9192 3111 fax 08 9192 3155 carol.martin@mp.wa.gov.au

Hands off Country

Sunday, October 26, 2008

INTERVIEW JO AND BILLY MACKIE

http://youtu.be/ChJ0K_VP1rU
We found Jo and Bill Mackie from Rosewood in Queensland camping at Middle Lagoon. This is their first visit to the Kimberley. We talk to them about a potential gas plant on Dampier Peninsula.

- INTERVIEW TEXT -Date & Location : Saturday 20 October 2008, 4.22pm, Middle Lagoon - Dampier Peninsula - Western Australia
INTERVIEW BILLY AND JO MACKIE
INTERVIEWER Good morning and thanks for agreeing to talk with us. And I’m just inquiring what your names are and where you’re from?
JO MACKIE We’re Billy and Jo Mackie and we’re from Rosewood which is between Brisbane and Toowoomba in Queensland.
INTERVIEWER Fantastic. Have you been to the Kimberleys before?
JO MACKIE No, this is our first time.
INTERVIEWER What do you think of the Dampier Peninsula?
JO MACKIE It’s beautiful. We were saying that we have been on the Queensland coastline, this is far more beautiful. It’s not as touristy. Doesn’t seem to be as developed as much. So it’s just beautiful, it’s just natural.
INTERVIEWER Do you understand that the State Government is proposing a site about 10 kilometres from here to build a LNG gas processing plant?
JO MACKIE Yeah
INTERVIEWER How do you think that will affect the tourism industry or how will it affect local communities along this coast?
JO MACKIE I think it will be a real shame to see something like that put in such a beautiful natural spot like this. To having something sticking up in the sky there, places. I just think it would ruin it. It really would.
INTERVIEWER Are you aware that this area is very famous as a whale nursery
BILLY MACKIE I never. We weren’t aware of that
INTERVIEWER It’s a major nursery breeding ground, for whales, humpback whales and you can actually see that on kimberleywhales.com
BILLY MACKIE Alright
JO MACKIE Ok
INTERVIEWER The processing plant, how do you think that’s going to affect the environment?
BILLY MACKIE It will be really bad for the environment
JO MACKIE Yeah
BILLY MACKIE I mean, even like these big conglomerates and all this say they never pollute the environment but you can see it already is everywhere in the world where they have a lot of pollution pipelines going out into the sea even influence seeping out into the sea and things like that even though they say that they never pollute. I always think that they always will you know. It’s all hush hush. It’s really bad for the environment. Yeah. Especially a beautiful place like this. Like now. You know. Yeah.
INTERVIEWER And as far as global warming goes, how do you think, do you think that this gas plant is the answer to global warming? They’re saying that gas is cleaner.
JO MACKIE Definitely not. I don’t think. I think anything else would contribute to global warming it’s still going to contribute, it’s not going to take away the problem that’s there at the moment..
INTERVIEWER And would you like to come back to the Kimberleys?
JO MACKIE Yes, definitely
BILLY MACKIE Yes, definitely
INTERVIEWER And if you did come back how would you like to find it?
JO MACKIE Still the same as it. Unspoilt and you know, clean. Yeah.

James Priceless Point




Red Hand takes the argument to Carol Martin's front door. We will not give up on the Kimberley without a fight.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Do you want to make a comment?

We've had a number of people tell us that it's hard to make a comment on the blog. Currently the place to go is at the end of each blog post and click on the word COMMENTS. We're working on it and will try to make it easier to find and to see, thanks for your patience.

13 days to write your submission to NDT – Help - Urgent

There are 17 days left for you to make your submission to the NDT on the Northern Development Taskforce Site Evaluation Report

BY POST -It must be there by 5.00pm on the 11th November. Now we assume that means delivered, so anyone who lives on the Dampier Peninsula or Gourdon Bay will need to wait for the mail run or drive into Broome to post the submission at the Post Office, that could be up to 200km on a mostly dirt road. But that’s ok you do it all the time. Let’s say 4 days from Broome Post Office to the NDT in Perth. That means it has to be posted on Friday 7th November. You have thirteen days to write your submission. We also assume that submissions must be in the form of text on paper, it would be helpful if we could, fax, send disks or other forms of digital storage, film and so on. Please, if you know people who don’t have access to the internet, “bring them over and tell them what’s going on.” Quote Blu eye


BY EMAIL you have 17 days - send to ndt@doir.wa.gov.au

Here are the guidelines and where to send your submission. From www.doir.wa.gov.au/ndt
Guidelines on preparing a submission
To help the Taskforce analyse your submission:
• Provide a summary of your point or points at the beginning of the submission
• Refer your point or points to the appropriate section of the Site Evaluation Report or recommendations in the Report
• Attach any factual information you wish to provide and give details of the source
All submissions will be treated as public documents, unless marked ‘Confidential’. Non-confidential content in submissions may be quoted in the Taskforce’s final report.

When making a submission remember to include:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your email address
• The date
• Whether you want your submission to be confidential.

All submissions received will be acknowledged.

Submissions should be sent to:
Site Evaluation Submissions
Northern Development Taskforce
Department of Industry and Resources
100 Plain Street
East Perth WA 6004
Alternatively, submissions can be emailed to: ndt@doir.wa.gov.au
Submissions must be received by 5.00pm, Tuesday 11 November.

Friday, October 24, 2008

INTERVIEW Bob the Builder at the LNG gas hub site at North Head

http://youtu.be/yHvxuDbUNUo
Red hand found Bob the Builder on Map beach, at the proposed and favoured location for the LNG gas hub at North Head. Red hand viewed this as an ominous omen. See what he says.

RED HAND - HANDS OFF COUNTRY
http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com



- INTERVIEW TEXT -

Date & Location : Saturday 20 October 2008, 5.52pm, Beagle Bay - Dampier Peninsula - Western Australia
Francesco: And there is the spot where we wanna put the gas hub. So what you think guys? We should proceed or not? Maybe not. Ok.

Bob: .....

INTERVIEW ALBERT WIGGAN 3 KMS DOWN THE ROAD, NORTH OF THE PROPOSED SITE

http://youtu.be/bA2Lp0DCy-o
Albert Wiggan talks about his interest in establishing his own tourism venture to get some sustainability for his children. He says "It's a scary reality for us people." and "Scary power of politics can dictate everything in our lives, our traditional homelands". He wants to say to Aboriginal people they have the ability to create and develop their own sustainable infrastructure to establish their own means of contributing to the Federal economy in the same terms and levels as the average Australian person." Albert was interviewed recently on 4Corners program 'Bran Nue Deal' - see link. He lives three kilometres from the proposed site.



- INTERVIEW TEXT -
Date & Location : saturday 20 October 2008, 6.33pm, Beagle Bay - Dampier Peninsula - Western Australia


INTERVIEWER: Mr Albert Wiggan, you’re quite a famous man for being strong and standing up for your country. Can you please tell us what you’re feelings and what you’re thinking about this proposed LNG plant on North Head?

ALBERT WIGGAN: Well, as you say I’m from the Dampier Peninsula I actually live here now. I’m about three kilometres down the road. I’ve got a small outstation on the coast which is about three kilometres north of where this proposed site is.
I have a I’ve had vested interests in creating my own investment up on the coast line there. I’ve got 15 acres of property that I was looking at to establish some sort of caravan or accommodation tourism facility to invest into my family to try and generate some sort of infrastructure I guess, some sort of sustainability for my children and now with this gas proposal going up ahead and running and with this threat of development on our coastline. It’s quite a scary reality for us people who have been a part of this country for a whole lifetime, you know.
We’ve always had some sort of connection and some level or to some degree with this country and it’s just scary to think that the powers of politics you know can, can dictate anything you know in people’s lives. And it’s more or less playing such a strong presence now in our lives because we are watching politics more or less dictate the terms and conditions of our own traditional homelands now you know. Places that we’ve always had you know a sense of connection and belongingness we are now being told that you know this homeland or this country now is going to be used for other means like industrial development.
And, my concern now, or one thing that I’m fighting for now is to try and say to the government, say to people of Australia now, is the fact that, gone are the days of Aboriginal people being told what to do and always being told that, you know, governments and political policies have always known what would be the best interests of Aboriginal people. Those days are gone now, you know. What we are seeing or what I’m witnessing now and what I believe in now is the fact that Aboriginal people who live in their remote homelands have the ability to create and develop their own sustainable infrastructure you know. To establish their own means of contributing back to, you know, the Federal economy, you know, and contributing on the same terms and levels as the average Australian person, you know. But, they’re not getting the opportunity now because of the threat of industry, the threat of development, especially, there are other threats, like agriculture, there are other forms of development that threaten Indigenous people from creating their own sustainability, you know.
And that’s, inevitably that’s what we’re after, you know we’re just after Australia recognising us as Aboriginal people who can run our own affairs, who can create our own economy, you know, and who can generate revenue to contribute to other Aboriginal people around our area, you know. We want to show Australia that we are capable, capable you know of doing this. And, you know, gone are the days of the government telling us what we need, government you know saying that we’ve got all this money to try and establish this sort of infrastructure, this sort of sustainability for Aboriginal people, you know . And they’ve never done it, nothing’s happened, we’re now still sitting on our arses thinking, you know, what has actually happened, what sort of say do we have in it, what sort of authority do we have and we don’t have any authority. We’ve got no say.
And you know, so more or less we need to do that we need to focus on that now as Aboriginal people, we need to focus and build ourselves together. We need to get together and we really need to look at how we can better represent ourselves independently and from a place where we generate our own source of power our own source of support. And then once we come from that place, once we come from that sort of representation then we will be a lot, you know content as to what will happen in regards to development on our country, you know. That’s about it.

DREAM ON HOLD Interview Mina and Robert Stem live 5km from North Head

http://youtu.be/gnSTl1iHFuE
Interview Mina and Robert Stem of Neem Aboriginal Community live 5 kilometres from North Head. They tell of their hopes and dream for the country, "coming back to country" and "Arbitrary decisions that have been made already without the peoples knowing of anything" and their concerns. "..... It's bad, it's really bad, cowardly..."
http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com/



- INTERVIEW TEXT - Date & Location : Saturday 20 October 2008, 3.50pm, Neem Aboriginal Community - Dampier Peninsula - Western Australia
INTERVIEWER First of all please tell me your names and where you live?
MINA STEM My name is Mina Stem and this is my husband Robert Stem and we live in Neem Wonderland, Neem, Neem Aboriginal Community.
INTERVIEWER And how far are you from North Head where the proposed LNG plant will be?
ROBERT STEM I guess, from about 5 kilometres in a straight line.
INTERVIEWER Can you tell me what this country means to you?
MINA STEM Everything its freedom for us finally, after coming from a place like Beagle Bay you know being brought up in the dormitory with the nuns and the priests that was really wonderful but having a place to come to having a place a belonging yeah. Country.
INTERVIEWER What is your dream for Neem?
MINA STEM As to have the same kind of life that we’ve had before only turned around with the good things in life, helping people and with kindness and you know like a rehab like bush rehab. We run a bush hostel here and pick the peoples up from in town disadvantaged kids, um troubled kids old people and this is home for them this is where they can get that good feel of coming back to themselves and coming back to country.
INTERVIEWER What do you think about this LNG gas processing plant? What do you feel? What does your lian tell you?
MINA STEM I feel no good about it. I feel terrible that this whole place is going to be turned upside down arbitrary decisions that have been made already without the peoples knowing of anything it’s bad it’s really bad it’s cowardly.
ROBERT STEM Well you can go. Decisions that can be made practically made overnight and here through the struggle of the years of basically trying to get help or something out here and then there is this huge decision making process that’s gotta happen and they take years and years and years and then you get tired from that. And then you turn around and watch a project like this they can just get up and happen overnight.
MINA STEM Money splashed right on your country just like that. Billions of dollars. So much is interest in this country in this place yet there was nothing for us. Nothing. They tried to push us off to all these other different places so that we can and go and work for someone else. Where we here are trying to establish a life.
ROBERT STEM The people have had ideas of how to help themselves how to help the country how to help the communities and those decisions don’t get listened to. But then all of a sudden you get projects like this that come up and its like this this is how you’re going to live this is what you’re going to do and this is what we’re gonna make available to you.
INTERVIEWER How do you think this decision has affected yourselves not just the decision but this whole process this whole talk of a gas plant? How do you think its affected you your lives and say the Beagle Bay community? Has it divided people? Has it separated people? Or is there a united front against this?
MINA STEM Well I really hope there is a united front up against it and of course there are mixed feelings with a lot of people because you know change might be different for some might be good for some but this place has been like this forever all this peninsula, all this country up here and it has been very hard watching the traditionals fight for their country to try and keep it, you know, keep it together keep it how it always is going to be how we always dreamed that it was going to be. But now with something just built it looks so foreign in this country. Why? Arbitrary decisions.





INTERVIEW MINA AND ROBERT STEM

INTERVIEWER Bob, I understand that you’re living here on Neem community I was just wondering what were your concerns are regarding the LNG gas processing plant that they are planning to do on North Head?
ROBERT STEM Well, My concerns are first concern is the initial thing the government comes up with the amount of local labour that it can provide and I believe that’s all hollow, hollow facts. As in this business is just so huge that all the labour and everything will be from interstate other countries things like that as in the machinery that’s required to construct all this to the workshops that will be around the place to build all of this we have none of that available locally. It will come interstate or overseas. And these companies will bring their own workers right down to their own servicing crews and everything like that. Broome hasn’t got the facilities to supply that. There’s nobody around here who in the timeframe that’s available, is able to be either ticketed go through their apprenticeships and get to the stage of being tradesmens or anything like that, right down to the clearing of the place the digging up of the ground for the foundations the supply of the materials. It wont come locally it will always be interstate or overseas. The other thing that I believe, and you know like once all the gear starts coming here and then there’s the actual clearing of the ground and then you’ve got to dig the foundations all of that will come from their labour forces. There’s nobody, there’s no small companies around here that can support such huge projects like that. And then the only available work that will come to the local people here will be the hands on pick and shovel type jobs, that get around, right down to I guess in the foundations of the steel fixing the concreting and the things like that. From there on I guess once they start importing all their fabricated materials into the place it starts all over again you’ve got all your trucks and the transport companies cranes all of these are big major companies that will have their own workforce.
INTERVIEW MINA AND ROBERT STEM

INTERVIEWER Workers that will come onto this Peninsula, How do you think that will affect the fishing the swimming the sacred sites. How do you think 3000 people coming to the Peninsula to live and work is going to affect your way of lifestyle?
ROBERT STEM Well it will be near on like having a full on tourist season for a 12 month you know a continuous 12 month period and we notice already that during a normal tourist season here the fishing the crabbing everything there diminishes over that time and then there is a break where things can recuperate. The extra people that are moving around. There’s always people that will be exploring the place and our communities are left open. People are welcome to come in and visit but I mean where do you pull up at. As to putting fences up again and things are saying we’re closed or we’re not open and nobody’s home. I’m frightened of it. I don’t know if we’re ready to even look into a strategy of trying to support it.
INTERVIEWER If you could say one thing to Colin Barnett if he came here for a cup of tea, to have a cup of tea with you Bob, What would you like to say to Kevin Barnett? Colin Barnett.
ROBERT STEM Colin Barnett
ROBERT STEM Well personally I would like to see him just come here and I’ll offer him a cup of tea and see how we gotta go about making it and things like that. I mean as for a question I’d just like him not to come and have a cup of tea but spend a bit of time here and actually experience how we live and what we do. I guess be part of the lifestyle and exist here and he might have a better understanding of it, than coming in with a new mat a blanket and just laying it on the ground there and not knowing what’s underneath, what’s around the place he just covering everything up and then plonking on top of it he’s new picnic set. Sort of thing.
INTERVIEW MINA AND ROBERT STEM
MINA STEM Prime Minister. What’s his name?
INTERVIEWER Kevin Rudd.
MINA STEM Kevin Rudd Mr. Kevin Rudd Where are you in all of this? How come you’ve never shown your face or taken an interest in anything that’s been happening here in this Kimberleys. All the way round these Kimberleys. Where have you been? What are you doing? You’ve not had one say in this thing only come 5 minutes on TV and that’s all we know about you. You don’t know nothing about us people. Come, take an interest. See what it’s going to do to our people. And how your arbitrary decision is going to affect the whole of this Kimberley.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Interview with Kerrianne Cox, speaking about proposed LNG Hub planned for her country

Youtube: http://youtu.be/Vs66-XG6JkA
Kerrianne Cox speaks about the impact of the proposed gas processing hub on her country and the far-reaching and the extremely negative consequences for both her community of Beagle Bay and the outlaying Indigenous Outstations and eco tourism ventures.

Gas processing and explorations will result in the destruction of traditional Indigenous economies and communities. The Indigenous peoples of the Dampier land have legitimate reasons for being deeply concerned about the planned gas hub in their country as developers interests normally prevail
wherever and whenever Indigenous peoples interests and rights clash with development projects.

http://www.kerriannecox.com/


WE HAD TO SPLIT THE INTERVIEW INTO TWO PARTS BECAUSE YOUTUBE HAS A RESTRICTION FOR BIG FILES (sorry for the inconvenience)


- INTERVIEW TEXT -Date & Location : saturday 20 October 2008, 5.20pm, Beagle Bay - Dampier Peninsula - Western Australia
( the text of the interview will be online soon )
Youtube: http://youtu.be/BCG0XalcRCU

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

TODAY'S BROOME ADVERTISER

Broome 23-10-2008

Interview with Mr. Camel Wongi

We had the pleasure to meet Mr. Camel Wongi and ask him what he thinks about the GAS LNG processing plant proposed to be 10 km from his home by Mr. Barnett.





-INTERVIEW TEXT-

Date & Location : saturday 18 October 2008, 4.08pm, Munget Community - Dampier Peninsula - Western Australia


Mr Camel Wongi: ............
Francesco: Thank you.


http://youtu.be/Zl96FnK_6A8

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Premier Colin Barnett suggests gas pipeline

A TRANSCONTINENTAL pipeline could be built from the North West Cape to link the eastern states with Australia's largest natural gas field, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett said yesterday.

Mr Barnett said it struck him as odd that Australia did not use more of its abundant gas. "Obviously the way to do that is to have a transcontinental pipeline constructed," he said.

"Pipelines basically are used from Siberia to Europe. They have criss-crossed the American continent for decades. Why in Australia can't we make some ... engineering-based solutions to greenhouse emissions?"


Sunday, October 19, 2008

Barnett names preferred LNG site

15-October-08 by Staff Reporters


Premier Colin Barnett has named North Head, north of Broome, as his preferred site for a gas processing precinct to serve the Browse Basin gas fields, located off the Kimberley coast.
Mr Barnett today said he was keen to develop the area as soon as possible after Japanese company Inpex decided to build a $24 billion processing plant in the Northern Territory instead of WA.
The Premier said he favours North Head, 125km north of Broome, even though it is a dense migratory habitat for humpback whales and is within an Aboriginal reserve.
A report by the Northern Development Taskforce, set up by the previous Labor government, said the overall sensitivity of the marine environment at North Head was considered to be high to very high.
Mr Barnett said today the environment would not be compromised.
"The necessary environmental work will be done," Mr Barnett said.
"We're talking about 2,000 acres in an area twice the size of Victoria."
He said he would welcome further research on marine sensitivity in the area called for yesterday by the Western Australian Marine Science Institution.
The institution is seeking $110 million in funding to further its work along the Kimberley coastline.
Overall the taskforce assessed 11 potential sites but narrowed the recommendation to four including Anjo Peninsula, James Price Point and Gourdon Bay.
The four sites are the same as those shortlisted by the Kimberley Land Council last month which negotiated with Traditional Owners.
The council's chief executive Wayne Bergmann today urged the government to ensure the development had the support of Aboriginal people in the Kimberley.
"Traditional Owners will support development that brings lasting economic benefits, while balancing environmental and cultural values," Mr Bergmann said.
"That means ongoing involvement and jobs in the long term, not money to shut up and go away."
Mr Barnett said he hoped to start exports from the precinct from 2012-13, a timeframe that Woodside Petroleum Ltd chief executive Don Voelte does not agree with.
Mr Voelte said on a best case scenario, the company could have a final investment decision by 2013, and exports starting at 2015.
Meanwhile, Mr Voelte said while the North Head location "suits us very well", he would not rule out piping gas from the Browse Basin project to Karratha.
That option is "bad" according to Mr Barnett who said the state will miss out on benefits of bringing the LNG site onshore.
Other options up for consideration for by Woodside is piping the gas to the North West Shelf, the Burrup or Pluto areas.
The Kimberley
The report is up for a 28-day public comment period and the government hopes to have a final site selected by the end of the year.

The government announcement is pasted below:

The Barnett Government today released the Northern Development Taskforce's Site Evaluation Report on four potential sites for an LNG precinct in the Kimberley.
Released for a 28-day public consultation process, the report earmarks the four sites that best meet the criteria as Gourdon Bay, south of Broome, James Price Point and North Head, both on the Dampier Peninsula and Anjo Peninsula, on the far north Kimberley coast.
Premier Colin Barnett said each site had issues which would need to be addressed by Government, but the necessary work would be done to see the final site confirmed as quickly as possible.
"An LNG precinct site must be selected to enable the growth and prosperity of Western Australia," Mr Barnett said.
"It is a responsibility that has been neglected for the past eight years, but the State Government will ensure a decision is made in the best interests of the State.
"The four proposed sites have been identified after extensive consultation with stakeholders from the community, including environmental groups, the Aboriginal community, the tourism industry, local government, fisheries and aquaculture representatives.
"It's an indictment on the previous government that in eight years it could not select a site for developments to allow the growth of WA.
"For example, if government was better managed in the past, a site could have been selected and WA would not have lost the INPEX project, worth more than $24billion to the State."
The Premier acknowledged the commitment and effort of the Aboriginal community in helping identify the sites in a constructive and timely manner.
Public submissions on the site options can be made until November 11.

The LNG Production Process




Pearl farms warn of damage and disease


17th October 2008, 6:00 WST

WA’s $200 million-a-year pearling industry has warned it will push for compensation if a proposed LNG precinct in the Kimberley harms its operations.

Pearl farms operate near the site preferred by Colin Barnett at North Head, 26km north of Beagle Bay, and at shortlisted sites Gourdon Bay and James Price Point. Pearl Producers Association executive officer Brett McCallum said the industry wanted to be involved in talks on any site development.

Pearl farms operated in pristine waters off the Kimberley and operators were concerned about pollution, increased boat movements and marine pests being introduced.

Of particular significance was the Gourdon Bay site at the head of 80 Mile Beach, home of the world’s last wildstock pearl oyster fishery.

“This fishery provides over 70 per cent of the annual pearl oysters required for pearl culture in WA,” Mr McCallum said. “The importance of the current flows in this region to pearl oyster larvae settlement cannot be underestimated.”

The industry’s biggest fear was over any sort of introduced marine pest which could attack pearl oysters and the closing of areas where pearl oysters could live and be harvested.

Any developments requiring a pearl farm to move would draw a call for some “compensatory mechanism”, he said.

It was important that the 150-year-old industry maintained its reputation for the highest quality pearls in the world. Premier Colin Barnett said he welcomed views on the site for an LNG precinct in the Kimberley.

These could be put to the Northern Development Taskforce during a 28-day public comment period.

JODIE THOMSON


from: THE WEST.com.au

Friday, October 17, 2008

Protest to Premier Barnett



If you wish to send a message to Colin Barnett to tell him what you think please go to THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY 3837 messgaes have been sent already, tell your friends too redhand.

New Stickers

sticker image hands off country red hand
Do you want a sticker ??? We've got them for you !!!

Barnett will take the land

Yesterday’s edition (16/10/8) of the Broome Advertiser published the following letter in the Opinion page:
“WA PREMIER Colin Barnett in my opinion based on his public attack on the Kimberley Land Council over the Inpex decision is simply playing a well=established race card played by all WA politicians in WA: “kick the blacks”.
The WA Premier’s total disregard for statutory obligations and due process, and the facts of the various interests’ roles in the Inpex Maret Island proposal, hopefully is not a sign of things to come from the State Government.
I recall Save the Kimberley group, Environs Kimberley, Federal Minister Peter Garrett, media identity George Negus, the Kimberley Land Council and the then-WA Government, Derby/West Kimberley and Broome Shire Councils all having a role, yet the Premier chose to single out and attack Kimberley Aboriginal people for stopping the Inpex development.
Premier Barnett, are you advocating that resource development should occur anywhere without the necessary environmental approvals, community stakeholders’ input, and non-compliance with Australian Law, in this case the Native Title Act, and other prescribed regulations?
May I remind you that we live in different times – it’s 2008 not 1968 – and even Aboriginal people have rights protected by Australian common law in 2008. Martin Sibosado Broome”.....end
And yesterday Premier Barnett did exactly that. The Northern Development Taskforce site selection panel report was released but Mr Barnett went further he said North Head was his preference. No consultation, no advice that he’d review the next phase of this grindingly slow process, a strategic assessment which should include advice from EPA (State) DEWHA (Commonwealth) the State will take the land.

What does an LNG gas hub mean?

We must imagine what it will be like to live next door to an LNG gas hub, what will the horizon look like, perfect starry clear nights will nights of the past never to be seen again. The smell will be terrible. Imagine the impact on the very few people who live here,for the thousands of visitors we welcome every year, care and love for country will be damaged for ever.
The Northern Development Taskforce Site Evaluation report Part A indicates that consultants recommend that “a 950 hectare site be identified for a hub which would allow for
up to 10 gas trains (50 -70 Mtpa LNG), a gas to liquids plant and an ammonia plant.
In addition to the industrial land area, the site would need to offer appropriate buffer
zones between the plant and other areas of occupation. The hub will require
additional land for an airstrip should it be located away from existing infrastructure,
and worker accommodation, work camps and associated areas may be sited outside
of the hub industrial precinct to integrate better with local area planning.....”
Who knows how much extra land will be needed outside of the hub area to accommodate people, services and an airport? Perhaps double that size? This question must be answered now.

Why Gourdon Bay

Gourdon Bay is south of Broome and a beautiful bay. The Northern Development Taskforce Site Selection panel have recommended Gourdon Bay as a possible site for the LNG gas hub to quote:
“......Gourdon Bay
Though this site is significantly technically constrained and economically challenging,
it is broadly supported as potentially one of the more benign sites for net
environmental impacts subject to further studies on the potential habitat and flight
pathways for migratory birds (given that Gourdon Bay is situated between two
Ramsar wetland sites). Development would impact on the pearling, fishing and local
Aboriginal communities and would present significant pressures and challenges on
the tourism infrastructure and the character of Broome as a tourism destination.
It is recommended this site be subject to the hub design concept study,
heritage studies and regional impact studies and considered for a LNG hub....”
See big size of the map at Gourdon Bay Map
See and hear what the people say who live here on the recent 4 Corners program ‘Bran Nue Deal’ at 4 CORNERS .

look at this picture : PIC 1




What will happen to Middle Lagoon?

So what will happen to Midlagun, over the last few years referred to as Middle Lagoon by new comers and tourists? Premier Barnett’s preference is the for the LNG gas hub to be located right next door at North Head. He very carefully didn’t mention Middle Lagoon at his press conference.
Thousands of Visitors from further than Broome, Bunbury, Burnie, Blackwater, Bendigo, Bundaberg and beyond have come to enjoy one of Broome’s premier and favoured tourist destinations. Take a look at the map An LNG hub next door, it’s outrageous. Instead of the sweet and salty smell of the coral reef on the receding tide we’ll have the ghastly odour of ammonia menacing the breeze, yes a hub means an ammonia plant.
And if you’ve enjoyed the mudcrabs from Tappers Inlet and wandering the mangrove mud, fishing and shelling, that will disappear too.
http://www.doir.wa.gov.au/documents/Appendix_3_North_Head_to_Perpendicular_Head_Map_5.jpg

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Northern Development Taskforce (NDT)

October – Colin Barnett announces North Head (Pender Bay) as his preferred siteKimberley region Western Australia.

Northern Development Taskforce (NDT) Site Evaluation Report Part A
Report was released yesterday afternoon for 28 days public comment. Comment closes 11th November, so that includes yesterday, 26 days to go.......
http://www.doir.wa.gov.au/5649.aspx

Premier Barnett put on notice tonight






1971 - Woodside discovers Scott Reef gas field in the Browse Basin 

1979 - Woodside discovers Brecknock gas field


2000 - Woodside discovers Brecknock South gas field 





2005 - Woodside announces Quandong Point as a possible site for its Browse Basin LNG
plant.

2006 - Inpex investigates possible Kimberley sites for its Browse Basin (Icthys) LNG plant

2007 - WA Labor Government establishes Northern Development Taskforce (NDT) to
investigate potential LNG processing precinct sites in the Kimberley.
2007 – Save the Kimberley formed
2008 - Strategic Assessment Agreement signed by WA and Australian Federal Governments 2008 - September – Colin Barnett elected Premier
2008 - October – Hands Off Country blog commences following the first banner protest in
Broome.

Within hours of the announcement of HIS preferred site for the gas hub proposal, Premier Barnett was given a clear message tonight. Installed on the major roundabout coming into Broome, Kimberley, Western Australia and illuminated by an eerie generator light, Premier Barnett is put on notice. We will not give away the Kimberley without a fight.