Dont Underhand the Red Hand

HANDS OF JAMES PRICELESS POINT

Barnett to push ahead with gas hub plan

5th January 2009, 6:00 WST

Colin Barnett has rejected calls to stop development of a gas processing hub in the Kimberley, saying the State Government’s preferred site at James Price Point was the best compromise between economic development and environmental concerns.

Environmental groups have warned a project on the site would threaten whale breeding grounds and open the door to the industrialisation of the whole Kimberley.

But the Premier said yesterday James Price Point, 60km north of Broome, was an ideal site because of its isolation.

“That peninsular area is some 200km long — it is basically flat tableland that simply comes to the coast,” he said.

“It’s an isolated site with no communities in the vicinity and I believe it would bring immense benefits to the Kimberley in terms of employment and small business opportunities in particular for the indigenous population of the area.

“While I recognise there will be groups, particularly the environmental lobby, which will oppose any development anywhere, James Price Point is not that part of the coast that people identify as being the Kimberley. This is not the spectacular gorge country with waterfalls and the like.”

Environs Kimberley director Martin Pritchard said yesterday an LNG hub at James Price Point would disrupt the migratory patterns of humpback whales.

“The deep sea area at James Price Point is 5km offshore, so they are going to have to dredge and build a huge breakwater, possibly up to 5km out to sea,” he said. “That is going to mean utter devastation for the marine ecology in that area.”

Mr Pritchard said he would prefer gas to be piped to the existing LNG hub in the Pilbara or processed on a floating platform.

Mr Barnett said while technically feasible, a floating LNG processing platform would probably be built in South Korea, negating any benefit to the local economy.

He promised a full environmental assessment and was confident negotiations with indigenous groups would be successful, given talks he had with community members when he visited the area two weeks ago.

Shadow minister for State development Mark McGowan accused the Premier of attempting to force a decision rather than build a consensus for a preferred site among the Kimberley community. He said this could jeopardise development in the region.

PETER KERR

Barnett's first 2009 response to Environmental Concerns

at James Priceless Point 4 January 2009

Below is a news release from the ABC. We are pleased to see that Barnett has responded to the major environmental concerns that conservationists, such as Richard Costin and others have been shouting about for some time now, by promising a full environmental study of the James Prices Point area.

However, in the same interview Barnett states that he "thinks that there will be no conflict between shipping and whales".With what information and studies can he claim such a thing? Why does Barnett continue to make these "off-the-cuff" remarks, especially after promising a full environmental study.

Right from the day he was elected eyesoncountry feels like Barnett is "like a bull in a china shop" as his greed to make his mark on the state outstrips his ability to deal with proper protocols, laws that are set up to protect our environment.

We will have faith in our laws because everybody in the Broome region is very aware of how the Humpback Whales pass so very close to Priceless Point, and when they are migrating north to calf we must remember that some of the mothers are fully laden with their new offspring and just before they arrive in the first safety zone of Pender Bay, where early births no doubt occur, they may have to navigate through massive gas tankers and veer out to sea to avoid the hub's jetties. Even the "layman" such as myself can see the conflict and impact that would happen.

Please wipe that dust away Barnett.
p.s does this mean that his 3 month threat is out the door since it would have to be June and beyond 2009 to be able to properly study the whales??? Even then, only 3-5 year studies could properly and scientifically give the EPA the proper data that is needed to make such a decision.

Government promises full assessment for gas hub
ABC News
Posted 8 hours 52 minutes ago
Updated 8 hours 47 minutes ago


The Premier Colin Barnett says there will be a full environmental assessment of the site which has been named for a gas processing precinct in the Kimberley.

The State Government has chosen James Price Point north of Broome as the site for the L-N-G hub.

Environmental groups say the development will be an disaster for marine life particularly for humpback whales which migrate to the area each year.

Mr Barnett says that is a legitimate issue and the site will be assessed for any environmental impact before the development goes ahead.

"I think there will be no conflict between shipping and whales, and by moving the plant well away from the major calving area, I don't believe there will be any impact," he said.

"But yes there will be a full environmental assessment of any development of any site on any area of WA."

Environs Kimberley supports Shire of Broome decision

Media Release 17th December, 2008
Environs Kimberley welcomes Broome Shire Council motion rejecting LNG Hub
Environs Kimberley has welcomed Broome Shire Council’s decision to send a strong message to WA Premier Colin Barnett rejecting the development of an LNG hub or precinct on the coast within the Shire of Broome.
The motion, which was promoted by Cr Nik Wevers and passed 5 votes to 4, argued that an LNG hub would cause: “extreme and permanent destruction of marine and terrestrial environments which are of national and international significance”.
The motion also outlined the risks of an LNG precinct to existing industries within the Shire of Broome such as pearling, fishing and tourism as well as potential destructive impacts on Indigenous cultural and heritage values.
“This is a great outcome for Broome and for the Dampier Peninsula environment,” said EK Director Martin Pritchard.
“Now we just have to hope the Premier listens and takes account of local opinions and sentiments.”
Council also moved a motion requesting the Premier to provide advice on the State Government’s plans for continuing the Northern Development Taskforce and requested a commitment regarding socio-economic and industry impact studies.
“We are looking forward to participating in the Shire’s proposed forum and static exhibition which will inform and educate people within the Shire on the direct impacts - economic, environmental and social - of an LNG hub or precinct,” Mr Pritchard said.
“We urge the Premier to look into alternative sites in the Pilbara which already have existing infrastructure.”
Media Contact:
Martin Pritchard: 08 9192 1922 or 0427 548 075

More Spin, Twists,Turns and Trouble Than a Drilling Rig!

For the first time since the change of government and Colin Barnett's announcement of his preferred gas hub site at North Head and his threat of compulsary acquisition, the NDT made their first attempt at contacting the people these decisions directly affect.

The agenda item of these meetings at Beagle Bay,Middle Lagoon,Lombadina and Djaradjin was not to talk or listen to people as the NDT claimed today, but was to inform the people that a drilling rig was coming to take 40 drilling samples and that it must be completed before the 2008 wetseason.This was confirmed in their own pamphlet The Gas Project in the Kimberley which was distributed only at the Middle Lagoon Meeting and was not offered to blockaders in Beagle Bay.

Permission was not granted by the people for this drilling to take place because the NDT representatives never directly asked. People made it very clear that the messages THEY want the Premier to hear is that they feel sidelined by both the original consultation process and the Premier's compulsary acquistion threats.These threats were still being vocalised today by the Premier whilst the NDT representatives were in country trying to convince people that this wasn't the governments intention and that proper consultation processes and protocols would be maintained.So what is the Truth?.

It is Blueyes opinion that the government is pushing for North Head because it is not encumbered by Native Title and is taking advantage of its current Aboriginal Reserve status even though the Reserve status is soley for the use and benefit of Aboriginal people.

It is another sad and sorry day when the Premier of Western Australia refuses to meet with the Dampier Peninsula people, especially in this historic year when our Prime Minister apologised on behalf of the Nation for past wrongs.Why is it that the premier has time to fly over North Head and meet his Liberal party friends at the Surf Club in Broome but did not take the time to meet the very people he plans to dispossess of their Land, their Rights, their Heritage and Dignity.

Hands Off Country and Stand up for the Planet!

MEDIA RELEASE Albert Wiggan Beagle Bay

http://youtu.be/FlPk-DiwyO4

Media Release

The time has come, Indigenous people on the Dampier Peninsular have had enough of being dictated to. The Northern Development Taskforce will be met with the full force of country and people united in a blockade refusing them entry into country, Beagle Bay.

This blockade is saying:
No, NDT, you will not come into our country seeking permission to poke your drilling holes into it; you will not take our land or sea, kill our culture and destroy our past, future and present heritage.

Saying sorry is no longer good enough if you keep doing the things you say you are sorry about. Great, the whole nation experienced the warm fuzzy feelings but the reality on the ground in 2008 is that we are still being invaded, still subjected to unjust and unfair laws, still having country taken from us and still our people are being pushed off their lands.

The government is saying we need jobs, but this is our job, to look after country, to protect it, teach our children how to live, learn and grow in this country, this is our job, and we are very good at it. Most of the world is either drying or gone, but our country is still a living breathing connection that lives within us, that makes the blood move through our bodies.

We still have fresh air, you can still catch a fish for a feed, you can walk and go everywhere in our country free without money, without fear of life, you can enjoy and replenish your soul and build strength in mind and body. The whole world is welcome to come and enjoy country, but you will never be made welcome by country and people if you wish to destroy it.

We will not sell our country or our birth rights for money, when we already hold all the true and real wealth in our hands, in our lands and in our very beings.

Albert Wiggan
Spokesperson
0488 009 752

Broome Shire Council to make decision on gas hub site.

The Shire of Broome has called a Special Council Meeting TOMORROW FRIDAY 7th November, 4.00pm, Council will make a resolution in relation to the Northern Development Taskforce Site Evaluation report on sites for a gas hub on the Kimberley coast, particularly as three of the sites are within the Shire of Broome.

Redhand urges everyone to consider the staff recommendation to Council.
Go to
http://www.broome.wa.gov.au/council/pdf/agenda/2008/20081107sa.pdf

If you wish to comment you can email all of the Councillors go to www.broome.wa.gov.au for email details or attend the meeting at the Shire Administration building in Weld Street, Broome. Anyone in the Public Gallery can ask a question during Public Question Time, you might like to email your questions prior to the meeting to shire@broome.wa.gov.au.

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.

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.

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.

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.