Kimberley Aboriginal leaders call for a moratorium on fracking « Kred

Kimberley Aboriginal leaders call for a moratorium on fracking « Kred

Kimberley Aboriginal leaders call for a moratorium on fracking

By Madelaine Dickie

Kimberley Aboriginal leaders have called for the WA State Government to put a moratorium on fracking until there are systems in place to ensure all Kimberley Traditional Owners have the relevant resources and information to make an informed decision about what happens on their country.

The moratorium was discussed and voted on at a public meeting for Kimberley Traditional Owners at Yurmulun (Pandanus Park) Community, about 60 kilometres south of Derby.

Around thirty Aboriginal people attended the open forum meeting.

CEO of KRED Enterprises, Wayne Bergmann, says it is something that needs to be discussed collectively.

“We’re concerned about the lack of information on the table about whether fracking can be done safely or not. Fracking will have a regional impact and if it can’t be done safely, it will affect all of us. We need companies in our backyard to step up and earn their social license to operate by ensuring all Aboriginal groups have the relevant information so we can make an informed decision.”

A plan of action was also agreed upon, with a bush meeting scheduled for late August where Traditional Owners will articulate a vision for how they would like to see development progress in the Kimberley.

Mr Bergmann says it’s crucial local Aboriginal stakeholders have a say about the future of their region.

“Part of this vision for development of the Kimberley, is about protecting our environmental and cultural values, while also ensuring our people can participate in sustainable economic development,” Mr Bergmann says.

A large part of the Canning Superbasin was represented at the meeting with attendees travelling from Broome, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Derby.