Save James Price Point, Our Sense of Community and Place

Yesterday, Nik Wevers, concern Broome resident delivered a REQUEST FOR SPECIAL ELECTORS’ MEETING duly signed by 156 electors (to be validated) to the Acting Shire President to undertake community consultation on the Local Planning Strategy (LPS) prior to sending to the WAPC for certification.

Nik Wevers prepared and circulated a Petition that will be tabled at the Broome Council Meeting this Thursday, the 30th at 5pm, requesting that Council does not adopt the draft LPS given that there has been no direct community consultation by the Shire or Council to develop the Local Planning Strategy. Cr. Foy will table the petition.

Following are the stated objections and concerns in regard to the Broome Local Planning Strategy 2010

1. There has been no formal community consultation on this strategy.

2. The Strategy itself provides on page 12 a flowchart showing the process of preparing a local planning strategy – the first part ‘Data Collection’ including community consultation has not been done.

3. The WAPC requires in its planning guidelines to undertake consultation prior to drafting of an LPS.

4. The term “certification for consultation” as in the report recommendation is not terminology in either the Act or the regulations.

5. Once Council adopts the LPS and then it is certified by the WAPC, the Local Government is required to undertake advertising and call for public submissions which the Local Government must consider before returning the LPS to the WAPC for endorsement. Calling for public submissions is not community consultation. It should be imperative that Council takes the community with it in planning for the future of the community and the area. At the moment it does not look like you are doing this. The Broome North development by Landcorp was much more consultative than this has been.

6. The Agenda item report does not give any indication as to why there is such urgency to adopt the LPS in its current form.

7. The Dampier Land Use Plan has not been completed and we, the community have been given no idea as to when this will be done. It is just NOT GOOD ENOUGH to accept that the inclusion of the LNG processing precinct can merely be an amendment to the LPS/TPS5 as and when it happens. The Shire does not have a good record of advising the community in a meaningful way about Planning Scheme amendments and it would unfair to the community to approve the proposed precinct in this manner.

8. There are NO MAPS attached to this LPS, where are they? And why is this in the public domain without proper map documentation.

9. Which maps will be used? The community has seen various maps, from Department of State Development ( Master Plan, Social Impact Assessment) Woodside Precinct map and a Woodside map in a later agenda item re turkey nest dams and workers accommodation (just a circle on an area)’ Petroleum and Mines maps provided in Hansard and the maps associated with the Compulsory Acquisition of land. Which maps are correct and will the Shire develop its own so that the Broome and Dampier communities know exactly what areas the Shire is actually talking about? Further, it seems impossible to me that the Broome Shire Council would develop an LPS and then not include maps in the draft.

10. As set out in Town Planning Regulations Local Government is required in part to “set out the long term planning direction for the Local Government” the LPS before you does not do this for the whole Shire.

Shire Councilors have a responsibility to ensure that the community for whom they are planning is involved, engaged and encouraged to plan for its future. It’s the foundation stones to wise business, community and future investment in the area.
The Broome Community are asking the Broome Shire Councilors do not approve this LPS without consideration of the community and until the Council have arranged for the Special Elector’s Meeting with electors to discuss the issues, gain opinion and have their questions and concerns answered in regards to the LPS.

As Environskimberley (EK) have stated "This Strategy will set out the Shire’s broad framework to achieve identified objectives for future planning and development in the next 5-10 years". EK has serious concerns about some of the proposals in the Local Planning Strategy

• Residential development proposed for the Gantheaume Point area, and at Coconut Wells
• Industrial development in the Environment and Culture Corridor near the Port
• New rubbish dump on Crab Creek Road
• Industrial development on Broome Road, opposite Cape Leveque turn-off
• Massive potential irrigation area from just south of the Roebuck Roadhouse to Bidyadanga
• Heavy Industrial area for gas refinery at James Price Point

Draft strategy here http://www.broome.wa.gov.au/council/pdf/attach/2010/Sept/20100930_931.pdf

The maps at the end are useful and illustrate the proposed future land uses. Please note the pretty pink circle around James Price Point, what that!!!!!!

Broome Shire Council agenda for the 30th of September, major LNG concerns for James Price Point for Broome Community.

Shire of Broome Local Planning Strategy Reference Group

This Reference Group comprises of Shire of Broome president Graham Campbell,and councilors: Jenny Bloom and Rob Lander, Landcorp, WA Planning Commission and the Department for Planning & Infrastructure, Rubibi Title Group, Kimberley Development Commission (KDC),and the local parliamentary member.

There are two items on the Broome Shire Council agenda for the 30th of September, Shire Council Chambers, at 5pm that are of major concerns to the Broome Community in regards to the proposed LNG Precinct at James Price Point.

9.3.1 SHIRE OF BROOME LOCAL PLANNING STRATEGY
LOCATION/ ADDRESS: Shire of Broome
APPLICANT: N/A
FILE: PLA 48
AUTHOR: Director Development Services
CONTRIBUTOR/S: Nil
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: Director Development Services
DISCLOSURE OF ANY INTEREST: Nil
DATE OF REPORT: 14 September 2009
SUMMARY: This report presents a draft of the Shire of Broome Local Planning Strategy 2010 (LPS). The Report recommends that the draft LPS be forwarded to the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) for certification for proceeding to public consultation. In this plan are the provisions for a LNG precinct at James Price Point.


9.3.8 PLANNING APPROVAL – DRILL PADS, ‘TURKEY NEST’ DAMS AND TRANSPORTABLE
ACCOMMODATION – LOT 259 JAMES PRICES POINT, DAMPIER PENINSULA
LOCATION/ ADDRESS: Lot No 259 James Prices Point
APPLICANT: Woodside Energy Ltd on behalf of the State of Western
Australia
FILE: DAM/259.LNG
AUTHOR: Manager Planning Services
CONTRIBUTOR/S: Lankester Planning Services on behalf of Woodside
Energy Ltd
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: Director Development Services
DISCLOSURE OF ANY INTEREST: Nil
DATE RECEIVED: 16 September 2010
SUMMARY: Woodside Energy Ltd proposes to develop three (3) Drill Pad sites, two (2)
Turkey Nest Dams and provide transportable accommodation for a workforce to
undertake hydrogeological investigations for a temporary period being a minimum of three (3) months and up to a maximum period of nine (9) months. This is part of the investigations and surveys associated with the proposed Browse LNG Precinct at James Prices Point. The hydrogeological investigations will involve drilling boreholes on the drill pad site to assess the availability of a reliable ground water supply for the proposed LNG plant and facilities. The turkey nest dams will store water pumped from the bore holes and the transportable buildings will provide accommodation for the workforce to undertake the investigations on a 24 hours basis.

The item is brought to Council for consideration as the land falls within the Shire of Broome’s Interim Development Order No 4 (IDO4).

It is recommended that Council support the development. There are two items on the Broome Shire Council agenda for the 30th of September that are of major concerns to the Broome Community.

Currently, there is a petition circulating around town stating the following

To the Shire President, Graeme Campbell, Shire of Broome Weld Street, Broome WA 6725
We, the undersigned electors and residents of the Shire of Broome request that Council does not adopt the draft Shire of Broome Local Planning Strategy as part of the new Town Planning Scheme no.5 and does not submit it to the Western Australian Planning Commission for endorsement or certification until such time as the people of Broome have been informed, consulted, and given an opportunity to provide input into the future planning of the whole Shire of Broome. The Community has not been able to consider the merits or otherwise of the planned gas processing precinct within the Shire. The Dampier Peninsula Land Use Plan has not been completed and the Social Impact Assessment of a very large industrial precinct on the town and communities of Broome has not been released. This petition is to be tabled at the Ordinary Council Meeting of 30th September. 2010.

And an additional request for a special meeting of Electors that only requires 100 signatures.

Form 1
[reg. 16]
Local Government Act 1995
Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996
REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF ELECTORS
TO: The (1) Mayor/President of (2) Shire of Broome .
1. Under section 5.28 of the Local Government Act 1995, the electors of (3)
Shire of Broome................ whose names, addresses and signatures are set
out in the attached list and who comprise (1) 100 electors/5% of the
number of electors request that a special meeting of the electors of the
district be held.

2. The details of the matter to be discussed at the special meeting are —

The Shire of Broome should undertake community consultation and information delivery sessions with the community of Broome about the proposed gas processing precinct within the Shire before it approves a new Town Planning scheme and Local Planning Strategy prior to endorsement by the Western Australian Planning Commission.

The reasons for calling for a special electors’ meeting are:
1. The people have not been formally consulted by Council about the proposed gas processing precinct at James Price Point.
2. The people of Broome have been provided with no information by the Shire of Broome about the proposed roads, infrastructure, zoning of land and environmental impacts of the proposed gas processing precinct at James Price Point.
3. The social effects and impacts of the proposed industrial precinct are yet to be determined.
4. The State Government’s Social Impact Assessment has not been released for public debate.
5. The Dampier Land Use Plan has not been completed.
6. The Shire has not undertaken its own Social Impact Assessment of the proposal.
7. There has been no community input into the draft Local Planning Strategy and therefore is not a community vision
8. The WAPC recommends 4 steps for community consultation prior to formal submission of the strategy to the WA Planning Commission for certification
9. The Shire should facilitate community input into the LPS prior to formal submission of the strategy to the WA Planning Commission for certification

Both the Petition and the Request for a electors meeting will be presented at the Broome Shire Council meeting, this coming Thursday the 30th of September.

We would like to encourage all people who are opposed to the development of the proposed world’s largest LNG precinct being built within our Shire, at James Price Point, to sign the Petition, spread the word about the Shire meeting this coming Thursday the 30th at 5.00pm and inform all friends and others on your social networks.

All citizens of Broome, on the electoral roll are encouraged to put their names to the call for a Special Electors Meeting. One hundred signatures are required in order for this request to be valid.

These are the contact details for the Broome Shire councillors who can be contacted to voice your personal concerns in regards to the total lack of regard not only to community consultation process but also completely undermines the Broome Shire's own mission and values.


Which clearly states:

"A Sustainable Community that is inclusive, attractive, healthy and pleasant to live in, that uses our land so as to preserve our history and environment, respects the rights and equality of our citizens and manages our future growth wisely."


Cr Graeme Campbell
Shire President
Current term expires 2011
PO Box 1373 Broome WA 6725
Tel: 9192 1366 Mobile: 0407 477 544
Fax: 9193 5854
Email: councillor.campbell@broome.wa.gov.au

Cr Chris Mitchell
Deputy Shire President
Current term expires 2011
PO Box 2381 Broome WA 6725
Tel: 9192 2450 Mobile: 0407 773 258
Fax: 9193 2451
Email: councillor.mitchell@broome.wa.gov.au

Cr Desiree Male
Current term expires 2013
PO Box 21 Broome WA 6725
Tel: 9192 7010 Mobile: 0417 982 334
Fax: 9193 5018
Email: councillor.male@broome.wa.gov.au

Cr Robert Lander
Current term expires 2011
PO Box 1406 Broome WA 6725
Tel: 9194 1021 Mobile: 0428 628 288
Email: councillor.lander@broome.wa.gov.au

Cr Eunice Yu
Current term expires 2013
PO Box 1241 Broome WA 6725
Tel: 9192 5021 Mobile: 0439 984 839
Email: councillor.yu@broome.wa.gov.au

Cr Jenny Bloom
Current term expires 2013
PO Box 2863 Broome WA 6725
Tel: 9193 5383 Mobile: 0419 522 868
Fax: 9192 6750
Email: councillor.bloom@broome.wa.gov.au

Cr Ross de Wit
Current term expires 2011
PO Box 2139 Broome WA 6725
Mobile: 0419 577 091
Email: councillor.dewit@broome.wa.gov.au

Dampier Ward
Cr Elsta Foy
Current term expires 2011
PO Box 114 Broome WA 6725
Tel: 9192 1739
Fax: 9192 1739
Email: councillor.foy@broome.wa.gov.au

Cr Peter Matsumoto
Current term expires 2013
PO Box 1382 Broome WA 6725
Tel: 9193 7304
Email: councillor.matsumoto@broome.wa.gov.au

PLANNING APPROVAL – DRILL PADS, ‘TURKEY NEST’ DAMS AND TRANSPORTABLE ACCOMMODATION – LOT 259 JAMES PRICES POINT, DAMPIER PENINSULA

Agenda - Ordinary Meeting of the Broome Council Council 30 September 2010 Page 63

9.3.8 PLANNING APPROVAL – DRILL PADS, ‘TURKEY NEST’ DAMS AND TRANSPORTABLE ACCOMMODATION – LOT 259 JAMES PRICES POINT, DAMPIER PENINSULA
LOCATION/ ADDRESS: Lot No 259 James Prices Point
APPLICANT: Woodside Energy Ltd on behalf of the State of Western
Australia

FILE: DAM/259.LNG
AUTHOR: Manager Planning Services
CONTRIBUTOR/S: Lankester Planning Services on behalf of Woodside
Energy Ltd
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: Director Development Services
DISCLOSURE OF ANY INTEREST: Nil
DATE RECEIVED: 16 September 2010

SUMMARY: Woodside Energy Ltd proposes to develop three (3) Drill Pad sites, two (2)
Turkey Nest Dams and provide transportable accommodation for a workforce to undertake hydrogeological investigations for a temporary period being a minimum of three (3) months and up to a maximum period of nine (9) months. This is part of the investigations and surveys associated with the proposed Browse LNG Precinct at James Prices Point. The hydrogeological investigations will involve drilling boreholes on the drill pad site to assess the availability of a reliable ground water supply for the proposed LNG plant and facilities. The turkey nest dams will store water pumped from the bore holes and the transportable buildings will provide accommodation for the workforce to undertake the investigations on a 24 hours basis.

The item is brought to Council for consideration as the land falls within the Shire of Broome’s Interim Development Order No 4 (IDO4).

It is recommended that Council support the development.

BACKGROUND
Previous Considerations
OCM 29 October 2009 Item 9.3.11 (Meteorological Tower – temporary)

Site and Surrounds
James Price Point is located approximately 60 kilometres north of Broome. The site on which Woodside intend to construct the drill pad sites and turkey nest dams is approximately 4.5km south of James Prices Point and 1.5km east of the Manari Road and east of the existing Meteorological Tower onsite, which was approved by Council in October 2009. The location falls within the proposed Browse LNG Development site. The land comprises natural vegetation, which consists of eucalyptus and acacia woodlands

See Attachment 1: Location Map

Description of the Proposal
It is proposed to construct three Drill Pad sites, two Turkey Nest Dams and Accommodation for the drilling workforce – these are required for the hydrogeological investigations being undertaken onsite. These investigations will assess the availability of reliable groundwater supplies for the proposed LNG Precinct, which will be used for the processing facilities, potable water for the workforce and/or low salinity water for construction activities, such as compaction and dust suppression. The Department of Water requires Woodside to undertake and to produce a hydrogeological model to support a future application for a licence to ‘take water’ for the purpose of the water supply for the proposed LNG Precinct.

Woodside propose to undertake hydrogeological investigations over a minimum period of 3 months and up to a maximum of 9 months, commencing mid October 2010
The proposal includes the following:

• Clearing a 5m wide access track, approximately 1.5km in length, eastwards from Manari Road to establish the Drill Pad sites and Turkey Nest Dams.
• The Drill Pads are situated approximately 200metres apart and located on the north side of the access track and the Two ‘Turkey Nest’ Dams are within 50m – 200m of the Drill Pad sites and situated on the south side of the access track.

Three Drill Pad Sites
• The vegetation is cleared and topsoil removed to establish three Drill Pad sites, each with an area of 70 metres x 70 metres, which will accommodate a drilling area of 50m x 55m, surrounded by a 1.8m high cyclone mesh fence or galvanized steel fence with locked gates. The Fencing is proposed for security, public safety and fauna protection. A 5m –10m wide firebreak surrounds the drilling area. The Drill Pad sites will also stockpile the topsoil and mulched vegetation, which will be used to revegetate the site at the conclusion of the drilling.

• Drilling will target two aquifers - the ‘Broome Sandstone’ and the ‘Wallal Sandstone’. A third aquifer (the Grant Group) may be drilled however, this option is considered unlikely. The investigations will include water quality, quantity, water temperature and rate of water flow and drilling will continue for 24 hours a day.
• One or two mobile drilling rigs will be used to drill bores holes within each of the three Drill Pad sites. Up to two Drill Pad sites will be operative for drilling at any one time. Associated mobile drilling equipment, one or two workshop/sea containers water tanks, and fuel storage tanks, with associated bunding, will be located temporarily on a Drill Pad site within the fenced area during the drilling operations.

‘Turkey Nest’ Dams
• Each dam is identified within an area of 180 metres x180 metres and within this area; a dam of approximately 125 metres x 150 metres will be created by clearing the vegetation and excavating to approximately 5m in depth with the excavated soil used to create the dam embankments. The site is relatively flat, however any elevated ground will be used to facilitate the dam walls.
• Vegetation which is removed from the area of the dam will be mulched and stockpiled beside the dam and will be used to revegetate the site when the dam is removed.
• Each dam will be fenced with a 1.8m high cyclone mesh fence or galvanized steel fence with locked gates. Fencing is proposed for security, public safety and fauna protection.
• The water produced during the test pumping from the bores will be collected in the Turkey Nest dam/s. The dam/s will be lined with an impermeable layer to ensure that any saline water produced from the bores will be collected in the dam/s and not contaminate the shallow freshwater aquifer. Alternatively any freshwater encountered in the bores may be discharged into nearby creek lines or surrounding bush.
• One dam is required, however depending upon the rate of flow and water quality during drilling, it may be necessary to construct a second dam. Two sites are identified for the dams and planning approval is sought for both dams.

• Transportable Buildings for the workforce Accommodation

• Transportable buildings will be used to accommodate up to 25 persons associated with the drilling which will operate on a shift basis over a 24 hour period. The onsite accommodation will avoid extended travelling to and from Broome for the workforce and will address occupation, health and safety issues for the workers. The transportable buildings - Accommodation/sleeping rooms, Ablution facilities – toilets, showers, wash basins, laundry, ‘Mess’ facilities – kitchen, dining and a Recreation block – will be appropriately cyclone rated and secured with appropriate footings. The specific details of transportable buildings will be provided at the building licence stage.
• The Transportable buildings will be established on a Drill Pad site, when the pad site is not in use for drilling. The buildings will be periodically relocated to an alternate Drill Pad site as drilling operations move between the three Drill Pad sites.
• The accommodation site will be fully serviced with power from a generator, water from the ‘potable water’ bore established as part of the drilling activities and/or from water trucked from Broome, waste water will be collected into holding tanks onsite, rubbish collected and removed from the site, and fire fighting equipment for the accommodation and the drilling activities.

Attachment 2: - Submission “Turkey Nest’ Dams, ‘Drill Pad Sites” and Onsite Workforce
Accommodation

Planning Provisions
The land is included in Interim Development Order No 4 and therefore Council approval is required.

Planning Approval for Clearing Drilling and Dams JPP-1

Kimberley plan to test Greens alliance

Paddy Manning September 18, 2010

WOODSIDE'S controversial $30 billion proposed gas hub at James Price Point on Western Australia's Kimberley Coast will be the first real test of the partnership between the Greens and the minority Labor government, the businessman Geoff Cousins, who is campaigning against the project, says.

The Greens have agreed to ensure supply and confidence in the Gillard government but Mr Cousins said they would have to abandon the partnership if the government approved the massive liquefied natural gas facility at James Price Point.

''They couldn't have credibility and say, 'We oppose it, but we don't really care if the federal environment minister goes ahead and approves it,' '' Mr Cousins said.



All the photos in this footage were gather over the whale season of 2010 and were taken within the exact vicinity of the proposed world largest LNG precinct in the world, between Quondong and James Price Point.

For more information on Kimberley Whales go to" http://www.kimberleywhales.com.au Kimberley_Whale_Watching,_Broome,_Western_Australia.html

Mr Cousins said while the Greens might compromise with the government on the proposed Minerals Resource Rent Tax, for example, saving the Kimberley Coast from such an inappropriate LNG development was a core environment issue.

''With a leader like Bob Brown, on an issue like this, they would have to do whatever they need to do in order to change the government. I don't see how they could remain in a partnership with Labor, if Labor sought to approve a project of this kind.

''They would have to walk away from the partnership.''

James Price Point is the West Australian government's preferred site for the proposed hub, which would process liquefied natural gas from the Browse Basin.


This month the Premier, Colin Barnett, announced he would move to compulsorily acquire the land after the breakdown of extended negotiations with indigenous groups including the Kimberley Land Council (KLC), which last year struck an in-principle deal to support the project.

But the agreement unravelled amid division in the indigenous community. The Aboriginal law man Joseph Roe has lodged a native title claim over the land and is suing the land council in the Federal Court.

Mr Roe's case was dismissed by the court last month for a lack of legal standing, but he is seeking leave to appeal. His allegations could form the basis of a challenge to the Premier's compulsory acquisition process.

The new federal environment minister, Tony Burke, has final say over the James Price Point project, which requires approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

The site is part of a strategic assessment of heritage values as a precursor to possible inclusion on the national heritage list.

A number of environmental groups held initial briefings with Mr Burke this week and it is understood the James Price Point development was a key issue.

An Australian Conservation Foundation campaigner, Denise Boyd, said the group asked Mr Burke to commence the West Kimberley heritage listing within 30 days, raised the issue of compulsory acquisition and asked for consideration of alternatives such as offshore processing or a pipeline to an existing plant at Karratha.

Mr Cousins, a Telstra director who was formerly Optus Vision chief executive, ran a high-profile campaign against the forestry company Gunns's proposed $2.2 billion pulp mill at Bell Bay, in the Tamar Valley in Tasmania.

Siding with Mr Roe, he said he predicted there would be a similar Gunns-style campaign targeting Woodside and its shareholders and joint venture partners including Shell, Chevron, BHP and BP if a political resolution could not be found.

Greens campaign against gas land grab

FLIP PRIOR,The West Australian September 16, 2010, 12:10 pm

Greens leader Bob Brown has thrown his full support behind campaigners trying to halt the compulsory acquisition of land at James Price Point for a $30 billion gas precinct.Senator Brown called on Premier Colin Barnett to reverse his decision and the venture partners to find an alternative site.

Kimberley representatives Joseph Roe, Neil McKenzie and Albert Wiggan met with Senator Brown in Canberra yesterday to express their anger over a "lack of information, consultation and representation" during discussions and to seek his support.

More footage from Sunday's Action.


Senator Brown said the group had struck him as "impressive, honest and devoted people" and questioned why alternative sites for the precinct were not being considered.

"What I would like to hear from Woodside and Shell and the others - why are none of the alternatives ok?" he said."I hope that the answer will be more than 'because the profits are bigger if this is built in the Kimberley' - I, and many other Australians, would want to hear a better answer than that."

After the meeting, all four men appeared on stage with WA musician and activist John Butler at a Canberra gig last night, to publically state their position.

Butler, who met his wife in Broome, again weighed into the debate, describing the Premier's actions as "archaic, draconian and disrespectful".

Describing himself as a concerned "citizen, father and tax payer", he said $1 from every ticket sold on his tour had been donated to Save the Kimberley and Mr Roe to help fund their future legal battles.

Building a gas precinct in the Kimberley was like sinking an oil rig in the Great Barrier Reef or mining at Ningaloo, he said.

"I am out spreading the word … what Broome has going for it is its land, its culture - not its minerals," he said. "It's one of the most enchanting places on the planet.

"People don't go up there to get jobs - they go there to soak up its culture and absolute beauty.

"I don't think the indigenous people should have to sell their land and their culture to get the basic amenities every Australian has a right to."

Butler said campaigners were not against the exploitation of Browse Basin gas - just not in the Kimberley.

"There's an industrial footprint in the Pilbara and in Darwin and it wouldn't take too much to pipe the gas there and not desecrate more land," he said.

"We do have a choice - a choice if we want to support greed and money over culture."

Mr Wiggan said the Kimberley contingent left the meeting feeling as if the Greens genuinely understood their plight.

"The Greens do feel very strongly about the importance of preserving the Kimberley and they will try everything within their capacity to support this cause," he said.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/7957317/greens-campaign-against-gas-land-grab/

Michaels New Kimberley Edit being Shown to Bob Brown

.Michaels New Kimberley Edit being Shown to Bob Brown

http://www.christianfletcher.com.au/

Ok, it is official. My family and I are heading to James Price Point to photograph what is there and what is nearby. So far there will be four other photogs heading up to meet us and have a shoot. It is going to be our little protest but it could bring big exposure. One of the Photogs coming, Paul, has contacts with the ABC news and they have expressed interest in running a story on what we will be doing up there. That would make it worth the trip, the exposure could be huge!

I am putting this post out to invite other likeminded people to head north and meet us there. Doesn’t matter if your a shooter or just love the Kimberley and want to do something about it. Your all invited to join in and enjoy the landscape and the company. I want to get some kick a55 images to bring back to show what is at stake.

We will be there on the 1st of October and be in the area for a few days to try and capture some good light. There is a lot of great country to be explored around James Price Point and I would like to shoot a lot of it. As for where to meet, I would say at the main car park, have a look at google maps for the location, seems you go in from the Willie Creek track. I will get all the details from Nigel Gaunt, a pro shooter from Broome, who knows the area back to front including where is a great place to camp. I will be bringing up my projector to run some slideshows and movies at night and probably some impromptu photoshop tutorials. My good mate and environmentalist Dave Bettini will be there shooting wildlife also. He knows so much about the flora and fauna of the area and is passionate about saving the Kimberley. We will also meet up with the traditional owners and here what they have to say and offer our support.

Let me know who can make it.Time to get out from behind that desk and get some Kimberley sunshine into ya! Also think about this. It isn’t that much further from each Eastern States capitals than it is from Perth and even though it is in WA it belongs to all Australians least of all the traditional owners. The Kimberley is probably the most photographic landscape in Australia and the most untouched. If you haven’t been there yet do it now, see it, and tell Barnett and his cronies what you want to see happen to the Kimberley. James Price Point is the E on the map.

http://www.christianfletcher.com.au/

NO GAS canoe protest, James Price Point,

More than a dozen kayaks and canoes, tinnies and over 25 crew advanced on the drilling rigs located at James Price Point today to object to the planned world’s largest gas processing precinct at James Price Point. In a very well organised and brave effort, rowers pulled up to one of the rigs raising ‘no gas’ signs protesting against the State Government’s plans for compulsory acquisition of land and sea at James Price Point.



Top effort, Wild Productions for great footage.




Their aim, to stop gas production on this most beautiful part of the Kimberley coastline as well as a most important and beautiful recreation area for Broome residents. A promise declared today, for more direct action against the gas proposal.

"When good people stay quiet, .... injustice will happen"

Wayne Bergman
Kimberley Land Council
Broome
Western Australia 6725

RE: Open Letter

Dear Wayne

Redhand has been trying to warn you both personally face to face and in the very public arena of cyber space, that the people, the government and the multinationals the Kimberley Land Council wanted to go to bed with, over James Price Point, were not to be trusted.

We tried to inform you that all these multinational companies have very distressing human rights and environmental records all over the planet. Extortion, corruption, environmental vandalism, they do not stop at murder, manipulation of governments and media, they flex control over the internet and even push to points of provoking all kinds of wars. The murder of Indigenous Cultures, the destruction of our natural and social environments and the eradication of sustainable lifestyles is currently the real price of the oil and gas industries, around the planet.

It was both enlightening and ironic that in recent interviews on the Kimberly ABC regional radio you raised many of the social, economic and environmental concerns and issues that Redhand has mentioned on this very Blog. Redhand has been informing the world that this proposed LNG precinct is going to be twice the size of the current largest plant in Quatar. Twenty thousand hectares, is now under threat of acquisition, It’s not the 2500 - 3000 hectares that the Department of State Development and Barnett have been deceitfully advocating. Surprise surprise!

Like many people across our nation, Redhand was devastated that the Kimberley Land Council were so adamant about getting on the profit at any costs band wagon that this once reputable leading national indigenous organisation sort to publicly and financially hang out one of their own to dry.



http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/Homelands&id=1386

Joseph Roe is revered now as one of the strongest Indigenous leaders of our time, a man who has proven time and time again that he is a man of his word, who values his country, his Cultural ties and his heritage over his very life. A man who is prepared to take on his own corrupt country men, a state government, very powerfull multinational companies and who has attempted to seek justice in a legal system that is not renowned for their fairness when dealing with black fellas.

It appears to Redhand that the Kimberley Land Council has acted to eradicate their own visionaries and turn their back on the truth of the Law and the Spirit of Country. This unforgivable facade will be written in history and Redhand knows who the future will uphold, as the hero of this very painful and segregating saga.

With Barnett undertaking the process of compulsory acquisition which has now been signed off by the Minister of Lands, Brendan Grylls what will stop them doing the same all over the Kimberley?

Do not view this dictatorial political move as a disempowerment; understand the real power of the organisation you head up. The Kimberley Land Council should immediately suspend all current exploration and mining negotiations that are currently being undertaken. This State Government is prepared to continue to steal Indigenous lands, create and support an invasion force of heavy industry with all its astronomical social and environmental ramifications under the guise of compulsory acquisition than what will stop them doing the same all over the Kimberley? Wayne, you wanted to play hard ball, well here is your chance.

Instead of taking Cultural Law Bosses to court maybe, the Kimberley Land Council could consider taking the State government and all relevant departments to court for not upholding their statutory obligations to provide equitable services and appropriate infrastructure to Indigenous communities across the Kimberley.

You can listen in on the story: http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2010/09/08/3006090.htm?site=kimberley