Friday, April 29, 2011

Federal court dismisses gas hub appeal


The Federal Court has dismissed an application by Kimberley gas hub opponent Joseph Roe to appeal a court ruling appointing replacements for him as a native title claim applicant.

A court ruling on the matter in February cleared the way for traditional land claimants to resume negotiations over a $30 billion gas hub north of Broome.

That ruling by Justice John Gilmour replaced Mr Roe as a legal applicant on behalf of claimants and replaced him with other nominated applicants, in line with a native title claim group application to the court.

Mr Roe had sought to prevent the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) from representing native title claimants in negotiations over the proposed gas precinct to be built by a Woodside Petroleum-led consortium.

The Goolarabooloo man opposes the liquefied natural gas plant being built at James Price Point, citing it as an important sacred area and crossing point of songlines.

In the Federal Court in Perth on Friday, Justice Antony Siopis dismissed the application by Mr Roe to appeal against the February ruling.

He found against Mr Roe's contention that the replacement applicants would have a conflict of interest and be unable to fairly represent a combined Goolarabooloo/Jabirr Jabirr claim, of which he was a part.

The long-running legal dispute between Mr Roe and the KLC last year prompted WA Premier Colin Barnett to move to compulsorily acquire the James Price Point site, a move that angered native title claimants.

The KLC had signed a heads of agreement in April 2009 with Woodside and the WA government approving the gas hub and $1.5 billion in benefits to flow to indigenous communities over 30 years.

Talks between the parties have since sought to get an agreement by consent back on track and meetings in Perth this week aimed to resolve outstanding issues.

The Federal Court has dismissed an application by Kimberley gas hub opponent Joseph Roe to appeal a court ruling appointing replacements for him as a native title claim applicant.

A court ruling on the matter in February cleared the way for traditional land claimants to resume negotiations over a $30 billion gas hub north of Broome.

That ruling by Justice John Gilmour replaced Mr Roe as a legal applicant on behalf of claimants and replaced him with other nominated applicants, in line with a native title claim group application to the court.

Mr Roe had sought to prevent the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) from representing native title claimants in negotiations over the proposed gas precinct to be built by a Woodside Petroleum-led consortium.

The Goolarabooloo man opposes the liquefied natural gas plant being built at James Price Point, citing it as an important sacred area and crossing point of songlines.

In the Federal Court in Perth on Friday, Justice Antony Siopis dismissed the application by Mr Roe to appeal against the February ruling.

He found against Mr Roe's contention that the replacement applicants would have a conflict of interest and be unable to fairly represent a combined Goolarabooloo/Jabirr Jabirr claim, of which he was a part.

The long-running legal dispute between Mr Roe and the KLC last year prompted WA Premier Colin Barnett to move to compulsorily acquire the James Price Point site, a move that angered native title claimants.

The KLC had signed a heads of agreement in April 2009 with Woodside and the WA government approving the gas hub and $1.5 billion in benefits to flow to indigenous communities over 30 years.

Talks between the parties have since sought to get an agreement by consent back on track and meetings in Perth this week aimed to resolve outstanding issues.

A meeting of Goolarabooloo and Jabirr Jabirr people in Broome next week is expected to formally vote on an agreement for the gas hub.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

MISSION WALMADAN James Price Point

This is an awesome little film by local filmmaker Jeff Skinner about Walmadan (James Price Point), filmed in 360 degree format! Absolutely stunning images and a MUST SEE!!

Gas hub fighter has new plan - The West Australian


Gas hub fighter has new plan - The West Australian

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Criminal and unauthorised entry into James Price Point.



It sounds like most of the younger workers in this survey team are Americans. There are no local people employed in the work. There are no cultural guides accompanying this team. These people were asked several time by a Traditional Owner to leave country, were requested to stop tramping the bush, and they were informed that their activities contravened the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

The water licenses, issues by the Department of Water, under which this work is being undertaken are unlawful because they have failed to obtain Traditional Owners consent to access water or drill for it. Today, the workers managed to undertake some work, unlike yesterday when they were forced to return to Broome because of local protestation.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Security and surveys on the Manari Road James Price Point


This week the Manari Road to James Price Point was blitzed with vehicles and people, including State Government sponsored surveys being undertaken by Woodside and their associated security teams, general travellers and energetic protesters committed to stopping the processing of gas along this coast. Meanwhile back in Broome, vehicles, equipment and heavy earthmoving and industrial machinery are on the move.
Seems the Shire of Broome has given approval to the development of the $80m workers camp somewhere between Willie Creek and 12 Mile with, shall we say, undernourished debate and only the energetic in the Public Gallery. Now, we wonder about how much of that 80 million dollars goes to Indigenous Employment or will it just prove the furphy we already know?

If you didn’t spend much time in Country over the last few months – enjoy.


Hands off Country


Friday, April 15, 2011

Woodside shareholder welcome - save the Kimberley! (1)


Woodside shareholder welcome - save the Kimberley! (1)

Many shareholders attend Woodside's annual general meeting (AGM) in person, and its the perfect opportunity to explain, face to face, why they should support an alternative site for processing gas from the Browse Basin. Can you join us there?

When: 8.30am, Wed 20th April
Where: Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth

BBC News - BP annual meeting sparks angry protests

BBC News - BP annual meeting sparks angry protests

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Surveillance James Price Point Broome


Surveillance for the James Price Point Kimberley LNG Processing Precinct continues. Yesterday what looked like a flora survey and security were out on the Manari Road near the Quondong turnoff and 300 metres east Manari Road. The road is still chopped up from all of the great rain we had this wet season. There is a great deal of movement in town of rigs, equipment trailers, heavy trucks and more. However, it is not known if the Shire has determined yet, whether this road is open to heavy traffic. Woodside is expected to undertake clearing very soon off the Manari Road.
Easter is in 10 days time and the people of Broome who have traditionally spent time along the Barred Creek, Quondong and James Price Point coastline at Easter will not be happy to see the land cleared OR masses of security people checking them out (spying on their recreational activities).
Filming us filming them would be hilarious if it wasn’t for the seriousness, the devastating destruction about to take place at James Price Point.

Hands off Woodside, Barnett says | Perth Now


Hands off Woodside, Barnett says | Perth Now

“I don't care what happens to the 34 per cent particularly but I just urge you - hands off Woodside.

“It would not be a good move for your industry.

“There are more important things to do, develop new fields, find oil, find gas, find customers.. just keep your hands off Woodside

“Its highly inappropriate that I say that but I mean it.”

Extremely funny that Barnett is now using the Redhand's slogan Hands Off, was it a freudian slip and Redhand is slowing but surely cutting deep into Barnett's subconscious?

"All hands on deck" is what Barnett should of said because the Woodside ship is sinking and will be eventually towed off shore and scuttled, broken up and shared. Where is the Captain? Don has his life jacket, and has abandoned the ship of fools, the fossilfools.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Browse LNG Precinct James Price Point Industry Brief Jeff a 210311

Following are 3 Attached industry briefing from mainroads and DSD about the access road to James Price Point. They have put the tender out which closes 6th April, whilst admitting, they don't have funding approval or land tenure.... as well as costing 100million dollars for all the precinct roads.

Browse LNG Precinct James Price Point Industry Brief Jeff a 210311

Browse LNG Precinct Michelle a Industry Brief 210311

Browse LNG Precinct Michelle a Industry Brief 210311

Browse LNG Hub Menno H Industry Briefing 210311

Browse LNG Hub Menno H Industry Briefing 210311

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Aboriginal elder flays greenies | The Australian

Aboriginal elder flays greenies | The Australian

FMG's Great Native Title Swindle on Vimeo


FMG's Great Native Title Swindle on Vimeo

Caught red handed – this is a record of a supposed 'native title' meeting staged by the iron ore miner, Fortescue Metals Group (FMG). It shows how FMG, its agents, a lawyer and an opportunist splinter faction tried to destroy the unity of the Yindjibarndi people and give open slather to FMG for its Solomon Hub project. The video demonstrates the unscrupulous actions of a miner trying to bully traditional owners into a land use 'Agreement' that will see massive disturbance of country and will swindle several generations of Yindjibarndi people. The fight continues. See yindjibarndi.org.au/​

This is exactly like what happen at the Cable Beach when Jabirr Jabirr removed themselves from the original Goolarabooloo Native Title Claim. Its all well planned tactical strategies design to separate and conquer. God on one hand and Country on the other.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Rocky Kistner: Sea Turtle Deaths Mount in the Gulf

Rocky Kistner: Sea Turtle Deaths Mount in the Gulf

Gas plant footprint risks treading on ancient toes




Gas plant footprint risks treading on ancient toes
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/gas-plant-footprint-risks-treading-on-ancient-toes-20110401-1croa.html

Friday, April 1, 2011

Extract from Hansard [COUNCIL — Wednesday, 16 March 2011] p1415a-1416a Hon Giz Watson [1] JAMES PRICE POINT DEVELOPMENT

JAMES PRICE POINT DEVELOPMENT

Statement

HON GIZ WATSON (North Metropolitan) [10.00 pm]: I rise this evening to urge the Premier and Woodside Petroleum to show some real leadership and corporate responsibility by reconsidering their plans to impose polluting heavy industry on the Kimberley coast at James Price Point.

In March 2006, the Premier expressed in Parliament his lack of awareness of the heritage values of the Burrup Peninsula during his ministerial role in the imposition of the liquefied natural gas industry on the Burrup, with all the consequent impacts on the internationally significant rock art of that area. Prior to this industrialisation being approved, many people had said that the cultural heritage values of the Burrup were too important to be put at risk, and there were better options for gas processing sites. But ministers like Mr Barnett, and companies like Woodside Petroleum, arrogantly and stubbornly ignored those appeals and went ahead regardless.

A few years later, a similar mix of arrogance and stubbornness led to the decision to locate a huge LNG plant on Barrow Island, which is an A-class nature reserve. The fossil fuel company involved in that project, Chevron this time, is probably now regretting its decision to insist on this problematic location, despite the existence, once again, of better options elsewhere.

Now, for a third time, a similar stubbornness and ignorance is being applied to the decision to locate a huge LNG plant and industrial port on the Kimberley coast at James Price Point. The Kimberley coast is one of the natural wonders of the world. Studies show it to be in the top four per cent of the least impacted marine areas in the world. The waters off the Kimberley coast support humpback whales that breed and give birth in the waters off James Price Point after their long journey from the Antarctic. Our very own threatened sea turtle, the flatback turtle, is also found in these waters, as well as many dolphin species, dugongs, and a high diversity of fish species.

Research has only just begun into the international importance of the Kimberly coastal and marine environment. To industrialise the Kimberley before we even understand it properly would show a spectacular lack of judgement on the part of the government. Once the Kimberley is industrialised and polluted, we can never go back. The impacts of the proposed gas hub and port include a massive dredging and blasting program. That would destroy several square kilometres of seagrass beds, sponges and coral reefs that support protected marine life and important fish populations off the Kimberley coast. Twenty-one million tonnes of seabed and corals would need to be dredged and blasted to make way for the port and the shipping channels for the thousands of oil and gas supertankers that would be used to export millions of tonnes of liquefied natural gas and hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil condensate a year. Up to 50 supertankers a week will be charging through a humpback whale nursery. That will mean that deaths due to ship strike will be extremely likely, if not inevitable.



The project will require at least eight billion litres of fresh water a year. Woodside has already admitted that it does not know where this water will come from. If the water is taken from local aquifers, the impacts could be disastrous for both the environment and the communities in the area, including Broome. If the water is taken from desalination, there is a severe risk of increased pollution of the pristine local marine environment from the plant’s waste water discharge.


The LNG plant would also pollute the Dampier Peninsula airshed with a wide range of toxic and noxious chemicals, including benzene and toluene, which are known carcinogens. The proposed LNG plant would be the largest source of industrial air pollution in Australia. The cumulative impact of marine pollution from dredging, waste discharge and accidents, together with the construction of a huge breakwater extending out to sea for over five kilometres, and the dramatic increase in shipping movements, will have a severe impact on the extraordinary marine life of the area, including humpback whales and their calving grounds.


So why have we been led into this predicament yet again? In February 2008, an agreement was signed between the Western Australian and commonwealth governments for a strategic assessment of options for the processing of Browse Basin gas. This agreement committed the WA government to investigate feasible alternative processing locations outside the Kimberley. However, soon after coming to government the Premier, Mr Colin Barnett, effectively abandoned that bilateral agreement. He almost immediately announced that the project would be located in the Kimberley. When community concerns are raised about the clearing of remnant rainforest and the destruction of rare dinosaur footprints or humpback whale calving grounds, the Premier boldly declares that they will be protected, but he cannot protect them when plans before the EPA clearly state that remnant rainforest will be cleared and dinosaur footprints destroyed. The Premier is insulting our intelligence and he has no qualms about promising one thing and, in fact, doing the opposite. So much for due process, so much for signed agreements and so much for public participation!


Here we are, two and a bit years after this change of direction, and what do we have? We have a failure to investigate options outside the Kimberley, in breach of the strategic assessment agreement. This is despite the fact that several of the joint venture partners have clearly and publicly expressed their preference for processing options outside the Kimberley. We have continuing threats of compulsory acquisition in place of the original agreement on the need for the consent of traditional owners. We have a continuing attempt to pressure and coerce Indigenous communities into supporting the project in return for basic services and opportunities, despite the fact that the Barnett–National Party government has demonstrated on many occasions that the income derived from resource projects can be allocated anywhere the government sees fit and is not dependent on communities giving up their land and their rights for such resource projects. There is no reason Kimberley communities cannot receive benefits from the development of Browse gas wherever the gas is actually processed. We should just look at the entire royalties for regions program as an example of this.


We have an environmental and social impact assessment process that has been completely subverted by the WA government and by the federal Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, through the imposition of mining lease conditions that require the Browse LNG joint venture companies to prioritise James Price Point and spend hundreds of millions of dollars on this location prior to any approvals being given. We have an environmental impact statement, or strategic assessment report, for the proposed gas hub that is staggering in its ineptness, with studies that require years of research being conducted in one or two seasons and a chronic lack of detail on crucial and cumulative impacts and risks.


We have a local community that is deeply concerned about the many serious issues surrounding the industrialisation of the region and increasingly up in arms over the unwelcome presence of Woodside Petroleum, which is already trying to re-brand Broome as a Woodside town and, which, through its private security firm, Hostile Environmental Services, very aptly named, is actively intimidating local opposition to the gas hub.

We have a government turning a blind eye to reports showing that the gas hub will have serious negative social and environmental impacts, including skyrocketing housing and other living costs, as has already occurred in the Pilbara, and the loss of potential growth in sustainable tourism enterprises that depend on the globally unique and unspoiled nature of the Kimberley coast. We have a government trying to avoid the bigger agenda of the development of resource extraction as a corollary to the gas development clearly outlined in 2005 in the “Developing the West Kimberley’s Resources” report.


The Premier must show that he is able to learn from his and previous governments’ past mistakes. They do not have to go on making them. WA does not have to keep on destroying our most unique and precious environments and heritage areas on the passing whim of politicians and corporate executives when better, less damaging, options are available.


We ask that the Premier recall his regrets over the Burrup and ensure that we do not make the same mistake in the Kimberley