Kimberley LNG hub at Quondong or James Price Point? What's the truth?

Redhand queries whether it is James Price Point that is the focus of the proposed location of the Kimberley LNG gas hub, or is it in fact Quondong Point?

Consider?

The Northern Development Taskforce Site Evaluation Report October 2008 set aside Quondong Point and did not include it in the 4 sites to be further considered on heritage, cultural, social and environmental grounds

The Worley Parsons Resources and Energy Site visit Report 20 November, 2008 (for the Department of Industry and Resources) showed 3 locations at James Price Point, the third and south location indicated the hub inland from Quondong Point.

The Environmental Protection Authority’s report Kimberley LNG Precinct Review of potential sites for a proposed multi-user LNG processing precinct in the Kimberley Region December 2008 interestingly refers to the James Price Point Area which covers about 20 kilometres of the coastline and “considers that a site towards the northern end of this area (between James Price Point and Flat Rock) may have less impact on the main fishing and camping areas between Quondong Point and James Price Point”.

The $1.5billion Agreement (between Traditional Owners Jabirr Jabirr, Goolarabooloo and KLC, the State Government and Woodside) last week was reported as an agreement to locate the hub at James Price Point but no specific details have been released to the media by any of the parties. Nor was there clarity about the area covered by the Agreement.

During the recent negotiation for that Agreement, Redhand alerted to the maps showing Woodside’s operations area, the maps dated 17 March 2009 indicated Quondong Point as the hub location.

At that time the Premier Colin Barnett denied that Quondong Point was to be used and that the focus was on James Price Point. (ABC news and radio 27 to 30 March 2009) reports.

Woodside’s 2008 Full Year Results Briefing by Don Voelte Managing Director and CEO 18^th February, 2009 on page 37 shows Google Earth Maps. Quondong Point has been incorrectly labelled as James Price Point. This is not an error. This is misleading information to the public and to Woodside’s shareholders and other stakeholders.

Quondong Point is at 17^o 34’ 41.59” S and 122^o 09’ 14.48” E and James Price Point is at 17^o 29’ 01.63” S and 122^o 08’ 30.20” E ?

Well you might say that a short distance of 12 kilometres makes little difference to the overall concept, the point is, are we being lied to? Where actually is the proposed location of the Kimberley LNG precinct? Quondong Point? Or James Price Point?

The Premier said it wasn’t Quondong on ABC Radio and Woodside’s CEO in his briefing to the market indicates it is despite incorrect place names on the maps, and publicity around last week’s Agreement doesn’t say. Who is telling the truth?

Barnett to Open Helicopter Port at the Broome International Airport,

On Thursday, the 26^th March, at 12 noon. Barnett will be in Broome to open helicopter port at the Broome International Airport.

Apparently, the Broome International Airport Management are frantically ringing around town, seeking traditional owners to welcome Barnett into country.

In additional, there are five Woodside Maps being currently circulating around.

Map 1. Operations Only

Map 2. Operations and Construction

Map 3. Full Expansion, Operations Only

Map 4. Full Expansion, Operations and Construction

Map 5. LNG Precinct – Entire Precinct

However, Redhand questions whether these maps are a red heron, circulated to discredit both the indigenous and environment groups! Should we view these maps with a grain of salt? Although, the maps are labelled Woodside the format and legends appear very similar to Department of Planning and Infrastructure maps!.

Hands Off Country has sighted Map 1 and 2 which clearly shows that the Operations and Construction site for this 25 Mtpa Gas Plant will not be located at Walmadan (James Price Point) but at Murrjal (Quondong Point).

The entire precinct will stretch from Biningankuny (Coulomb Point Nature Reserve) to Kardilakan Jajal (Barred Creek) with the estimated 6000 – 8000 square hectares not the 1000 – 3000 hectares we all have been lead to believe. According to the maps sighted: up to seven trains will be operated, a main road cut through from the Derby Highway, desalinations plants, seven kilometres of jetty and break water constructions. Once, Red Hand has a bloggerable size copies of these maps, they will be posted.

Meanwhile, the local quarry has been asked by Woodside for a quote on 2 million tons of road base and 80 thousand tons of rock.

Redhand's speculative Timeline

Friday, 27th March 2009

Walmadany
Concert for Heritage

and while we're dancing and singing for country on Town Oval, the Traditional Owners may sign off an Agreement with the Western Australian State Government

31st March, 2009

Premier Colin Barnett will announce an
Agreement to take everything he wants and more for a gas precinct
and on

Thursday, 9 April, 2009
Woodside announcement on their decision to pipe to and process gas on the Kimberley coast.
Is this to avoid media scrutiny?

Good Friday 10 April, 2009
The media is quiet and a dead news story in the coming week.

Easter Tuesday 14 April, 2009
Government employees still on Easter holiday.

Wednesday 15 April,2009
Battle lines are drawn.

James Price Point Premier's Media Release

"http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/PublishingImages/Barnett%20Ministers%20thumbnails/barnett_tn.gif"> Colin Barnett
Premier (includes Federal-State Relations; Public Sector Management; Government Accountability); State Development

Tue 23 December, 2008

Liberal-National Government makes decision on LNG precinct

Portfolio: Premier, State Development

James Price Point, about 60 kilometres from Broome, has been chosen as the site for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) precinct in the Kimberley.

Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett said the exact location of the LNG precinct would be determined after full consideration of significant cultural, heritage and environmental values of the area and further technical feasibility studies.

The Premier made the announcement after a visit and inspection of the potential sites earlier this week and meetings with indigenous representatives, environmental groups and local government.

“After extensive consideration, James Price Point has been declared the location most likely to work best for the Kimberley community, for the environment, for industry and for Western Australia’s future economic development,” Mr Barnett said.

“This is a significant step forward; the site has still to undergo a full environmental impact assessment and more detailed technical and social impact studies, before a final approval is given.

“Nomination of James Price Point fulfils this Government’s commitment to urgently identify a site on the Kimberley coast to stimulate WA’s future growth.”

Since 2007, more than 40 possible Kimberley sites were considered and four sites, including James Price Point, were short-listed in October 2008.

The Premier said the Government will now focus its energy on working with traditional owners to secure land tenure over the site and completing social impact assessments to ensure that the project can deliver the benefits it promises, without compromising the special character of Broome and the wider Kimberley region.

“Our aim is to acquire the site by consent. This could include restoring rights equivalent to native title over the site at the cessation of LNG processing. Compulsory acquisition of the land remains an option,” Mr Barnett said.

“With respect to acquisition of the site area, the WA Government has agreed to a proposal by the Commonwealth to fund a facilitator to work with the key parties (WA Government, Woodside, indigenous interests and relevant Commonwealth agencies) towards a negotiated resolution to acquire the site.

“This process has a completion date of March 31, 2009, after which the State Government will begin land acquisition processes.

“WA appears to have lost one major project to Darwin because the previous Labor government could not make a decision to secure the $15billion Inpex project. I do not intend to lose another.

“I am confident that the Woodside Joint Venture partners will choose to use the precinct rather than pursue the option of piping gas 850 kilometres to the Burrup Peninsula, but ultimately that is a decision for industry.

“I am also hopeful that Inpex might reconsider a WA option, for either its Ichthys field or for future gas developments, provided we can provide certainty of tenure over the site.”

Mr Barnett said the development could bring hundreds of jobs, millions of investment dollars and long-term economic diversification for Broome and the West Kimberley.

He said the James Price Point location provided a range of potential development sites along a 10km coastal strip and offered:

• flexibility in locating jetties and processing operations to meet heritage and environmental requirements
• ease of expansion for two, or more than two LNG processing operators should that be required during the life of the Browse basin gas field
• no settlement, homes or businesses within 20 kilometres of the proposed site

The area could easily accommodate a 1,000 to 2,000 hectare, buffered industrial estate, 300 to 400 kilometres from offshore gas producers in the Browse Basin. The Dampier Peninsula has a land area of 14,000 square kilometres.

The Dampier Peninsula coast from Broome to Cape Leveque is about 200 kilometres long - the equivalent of the distance between Perth and Bunbury.

The Browse Basin has proven reserves of 27.5 trillion cubic feet of gas (Tcf) and 600 million barrels of condensate. Gas reserves are estimated at 60 Tcf, making the area comparable to the North West Shelf in terms of prospectivity.

The site selection brings to a natural conclusion the work of the Northern Development Taskforce. Continuing consultation with interested parties will be led by the new Department of State Development which will come into being on January 1, 2009.

The Northern Development Taskforce started work on selecting a site for an LNG development in the Kimberley in June 2007. It has produced or commissioned at least 22 reports into environmental, indigenous and other issues surrounding the proposal.

There were also 243 written submissions on the site selection (shortlist) report plus 46 verbal submissions, a three day workshop in Broome in July and an Environmental Protection Authority report and other reports commissioned by the Commonwealth.

Premier's office - 9222 9475

The Premier's latest announcement on gas precinct site

December – NDT announces James Price Point as its recommended site for an LNG

processing precinct gas hub site to be known shortly

Posted 8 hours 38 minutes ago
Updated 8 hours 32 minutes ago

Colin Barnett to name Kimberley hub site within a fortnight

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• Map: Broome 6725

The Premier Colin Barnett says the Government has narrowed down to two sites, the location for an industrial gas hub in the Kimberley.

Mr Barnett has told a business luncheon in Perth, the two sites are North Head, about 125 kilometres north of Broome, and James Price Point, about 60 kilometres north of Broome.
Previously, Mr Barnett has named North Head as his preferred site.
A final decision will be made within a fortnight.
Mr Barnett told the gathering the Government would use the Publics Work Act to acquire the land.
"So we will acquire it as Government owned land and then we will lease it out to proponents," he said.
"Whether that be Woodside, Inpex or anyone else in the future.
"That may sound a bit radical.
"I assure you it's not.
"That is the way most industrial land in Western Australia has been acquired and operated."
from www.abc.net.au/online

Beagle Bay Blockade 2

Discussing the fate of Beagle Bay.

All video on Hands off country is unedited. Over time we will have each video transcribed. Further videos will become available of the other meetings held on the Dampier Peninsula this week. Downloading takes some time so thanks for your patience.

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.

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