Battle for James Price Point 5th July 2011

NAIDOC Week in Broome



On this day, the anniversary of the passing of Paddy Roe OAM, the fourth day of the Lurujarri Heritage Trail Walk and the twenty ninth day of The Blockade, the Western Australian Riot Police and Woodside Energy mowed down people, forcing them to run for their lives on Manari Road.


and while the Kimberley Land Council were cosily meeting with Woodside Energy at the Mangrove Hotel function room, their countrymen were being carted away by police in their vans, having been forced to the ground while trying to protect their heritage and culture.



Frightening tactics


Brutal crowd control tactics used by more than 70 Police personnel against people on Manari road.

The protesters moved into a walking pace and then the police, with a strange low chant and without warning suddenly ran at the crowd and stampeded them



People were thrown off the road by Police and many ran for their lives as bulldozers roared down the road at breakneck speed






more arrests

There is no social licence to operate.

Hands off country

Save The Kimberley

Save The Kimberley

This is woodside's way of gaining their social licence to operate, beat everyone into submission and demonstrate you are a good corporate citizen?

In an open letter addressed to the protesters, Woodside has called their behaviour towards contractors and traditional owners unacceptable, threatening and intimidating.

Make up your own mind up as to who is threatening, intimidation and who's behaviour is unacceptable.

Then witness the the power of the Broome Community, it's people and their love of Country, community and each other. We are the sign post of the change.

Gas hub bulldozer protester faces court - The West Australian

Gas hub bulldozer protester faces court - The West Australian

Premier criticised over gas hub self-determination claim - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Premier criticised over gas hub self-determination claim - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

After the Police and Woodside retreated from the Blockage yesterday, two representatives for the Kimberley Land Council came to the camp looking for Joseph Roe wanting to speak to him about cultural heritage, watch the following video to see the reaction of traditional and custodians owners to their visit.

NO GAS ON THE KIMBERLEY COAST COMMUNITY GROUP
MEDIA RELEASE
July 1, 2011

“Violation of human rights at beginning of NAIDOC week in Broome”

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People invoked at Woodside blockade

Woodside contractors attempted to break through a 26 day blockade in Broome today at the same time as NAIDOC week celebrations began.

Indigenous women refused to let Woodside workers through invoking the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. 8 infringements were handed out by police.


Elsta Foy, a local Indigenous woman and Shire Councillor, was one issued with an infringement notice and said:

“Woodside are violating our human rights. They want to destroy our sacred sites. We have a right and Australia has an international obligation under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People to make sure our law and culture is not desecrated.”

“Woodside are planning to bulldoze a registered heritage site which has burial sites and artefacts. We will stand here and not move until they go away.” said Ms Foy.

Tensions are expected to escalate at the site as WA Premier Colin Barnett said yesterday that the blockade will be broken to allow Woodside workers through.

Traditional Owner Joseph Roe has reported damage to other sites by Woodside workers 2 weeks ago to the Department of Indigenous Affairs. An investigation is underway and findings are expected soon.

Browse Basin gas deal 'pivotal' in indigenous history, says Colin Barnett | The Australian

Browse Basin gas deal 'pivotal' in indigenous history, says Colin Barnett | The Australian

Its important to understand that any Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) would involve all persons who asserted a Native Title interests in that area, not just registered claimants. People need to appreciate the fact that 80% of the Traditional Owners did not even vote or were involved in any decision making.

When the Compulsory Acquisition notices are proven to be invalid in the up and coming Supreme Court Action being taken by Neil McKenzie and Phillip Roe against the Minister Land, Brendan Grylls so too will this also nullify this cooked Section 31 Agreement, being signed today.

The Agreements being signed today are invalid because are they based on an invalid notice.

If these Agreements are signed today, the legal viability of the notice will be broaden to including to the viability to the Agreements

Given the fact that Compulsory Acquisition is being challenged currently in the Supreme Court, this theatrical managed signing today is totally erroneous. None of the processes employed in this sager have either been decent, correct or sincere because one way or other the Government has always been standing there with the threat of Compulsory Acquisition.

Another deal behind closed doors and away from Country and People

Two gas hub agreements are going to be signed tomorrow between State government and KLC (and possibly Woodside): A Native Title Act agreement (S31: Right to negotiate) and a 'State agreement'.

It is happening in Perth around 9am. Barnett is trying to make it look like a deal designed to lock in the hub before the Environment Minister's decisions and it’s also no doubt intended to demoralise and marginalise the Broome community and the blockade.

This may be used as a pretext for moving against the Broome Community NO GAS Blockade.

LNG Flyer No Deal v3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 491 QUESTION WITHOUT NOTICE (Of which some notice has been given) Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Hon Robin Chapple to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs.

With regard to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA) and the registered
Aboriginal site Walmadan (site ID 13076), I ask, ~

(1) Is a Section 18 permit required for disturbance such as vegetation and
surface soils clearing with a bulldozer in a registered Aboriginal heritage
site?

(2) When did the Minister and/or his department become aware of Woodside's
proposal to clear vegetation and surface soils within the registered
Aboriginal Heritage site 13076 Walmadan?

(3) Has anyone applied for a Section 18 permit to disturb registered Aboriginal
Heritage site 13076 Walmadan?

(4) Was a Section 16 permit applied for or granted to Woodside or its
contractors in respect of Aboriginal Heritage site 13076 Walmadan andif
yes what does the section 16 allow for under the AHA?

(5) Does the Minister or his Department have the ability to issue a stop work
notice if correct procedures have not been adhered to under section 16, 17 or
18 of the AHA?

(6) Has the Department of Indigenous Mfairs been notified of an Aboriginal
Heritage site in Woodside's proposed clearing area that is unregistered? If
yes, what action is the Department taking to ensure the site is protected?

I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question.

(1) Yes
(2) I am not aware of any proposal to clear vegetation within the boundaries ofDIA
13076 (Walmadan).
(3) No
(4) No
(5) No
(6) No

Minister for Indigenous Affairs

The Walmadan Camp mob have tried to draw people's attention to the destruction of the Holocene sand dunes, the ancient Middens and burial sites between James Price Point and Quondong, by Woodside buggies, for the last three weeks.

Analyst downplays gas protest impact - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Analyst downplays gas protest impact - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Behind The Scenes Of A 3 Week Protest (video) - iGWN7 Broome

Behind The Scenes Of A 3 Week Protest (video) - iGWN7 Broome

It's the third week of an environmental protest North of Broome. Some protestors come and go each day, but most camp overnight. Our Kimberley reporter Emma Anderson's gone behind the scenes to find out the logistics that go behind staging such a long lasting rally.

GOOLARABOOLOO 2011 WALK OF THE LURUJARRI HERITAGE TRAIL ALONG THE LIVING SONGLINE

In 1988 the Goolarabooloo people- under the leadership of Paddy Roe (OAM)- established the Lurujarri Heritage Trail. Assisted by Lord Alister McAlpine-a local eccentric entrepeneur- RMIT University lecturers and the WA Heritage Council, they sought to bring people of all cultures and colours to come together to share cultural time in country. The trail follows the ancient living Songcycle, from Broome town up the coast 90 km to Bindiyangun, stopping at camp sites that have been used by Aborigines for millennia.

The Goolorabooloo Senior Law Bosses, Phillip, Joe, and Richard (Paddy Roe's grandsons), along with Teresa Roe (Paddy's daughter) and the extended Goolarabooloo family have requests from numerous to participate in walking the Lurujarri Heritage Trail with them. It will begin on Saturday the 2^nd of July at 3pm, at the old Goolarabooloo hostel in Broome on Dora St, and will finish on the 9^th of July.

The trail is an opportunity for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to walk together through this spiritually important country, telling stories, fishing, collecting bush foods, carving tapping sticks and most importantly connecting to each other and the country. Underlying all of this is the opportunity for reconciliation, which is evidenced by the strong ties the Goolarabooloo community has with non-indigenous people both locally and internationally.

This year is going to be extra special and significant for walkers and their cultural guides because the trail of the Songline like always will pass through Country (Walmadan) - or as it is known in English- James Price Point - the site where Woodside and the WA Premier Colin Barnett are planning to build Australia's largest LNG processing hub. Ancient ceremonial sites and burial grounds are located all along the Songcycle and at Walmadan, and some of these sites have already been desecrated by Woodside contractors. The Department of Indigenous Affairs are currently investigating serious breaches of the Aboriginal Heritage Act by Woodside and their contractors within the vicinity of Walmadan. It’s still not a done deal and still no Federal or State approval for the development.

On its 33^rd anniversary, the Lurujarri Heritage Trail will continue despite the proposed destruction that Colin Barnett, Woodside and its partners are seeking to wreak on the this Sacred Songline. Once again people from all over the nation and the world will come together to witness first hand the deep cultural connection that the Goolarabooloo have with their country, and their willingness to share these connections, as they walk the Songline together.

For more information contact:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=536348144#!/pages/Goolarabooloo-and-Lurujarri-Heritage-Trail/116735645006633

21 Today, Woodside Go Away

The Broome Community NO GAS Campaign in support of the Goolarabooloo Traditional Owners have reached their 21^st day of peaceful blockading Manari Road and have so far successfully prevented Woodside's further illegal activities at James Price Point.

It seems like weeks ago when some Broome residents locked on to bulldozers, after the Goolarabooloo watched in horror at the desecration of their ancient ceremonial sites and burial grounds, and theft of sacred cultural objects located within the Songline. There is no State or Federal approval for Woodside to carry out their work, and since 2009, Goolarabooloo Traditional Owners and the wider Broome community have fought to stop the clearing and drilling of sacred land at James Price Point. After establishing a protest camp at James Price Point, they then established a strategic blockade 45 km up the road to prevent any Woodside contractors from using the equipment now parked at the site.

The Manari Rd blockade has around 50 permanent people camping, Aboriginal elders, grey nomads, french backpackers, and film makers from around the world, drink endless cups of tea around the fire (no drugs or alcohol are permitted at the camp). There are waves of people support flowing through and mountains of donations - fresh produce, dried food, baked goods, chocolate and freshly caught fish-pours into the well stocked kitchen every day, as the Broome community show their support for the blockade. The media tent, kitted out with internet and solar power thrums with campaigning activities and at night people gather round the campfires, sharing meals and conversion.

The bulldozer ('Billy the Bilby Basher') lies dormant and the drilling equipment remains idle along the road. Traditional Owners in collaboration with their community of Broome are adamant in their resolve to stop the building of the proposed LNG refineries within their Heritage sites or within our heartlands. All assistance will be gratefully received and welcomed.

In a formal complaint lodged to DIA on 9 June 2011, the principal Aboriginal custodian of James Price Point and Elder for the Goolarabooloo Jabbir-Jabbir people- Mr Joseph Roe-provided detailed photographic and video evidence of significant damage by archaeologists and seismic testers working for Woodside. They have been recklessly damaging burial sites, middens and ancient remnant rain forests and have stolen items of Cultural significance. Over the past week, three DIA Officers guided by traditional custodians spent more than nine hours meticulously taking evidence of significant damage done by Woodside contractors undertaking preliminary work for the doomed gas plant.

“The damage started in early May 2011 and continues to this day”, says Mr Roe. “My most important cultural responsibility as handed down to me from my Lulu (late grandfather) is to look after these sacred sites. They’ve never had vehicles driven over them. The actions of these contractors are a painful reality, disrespectful to our culture and our ancestors.”

Kimberley gas plant threatens Aboriginal culture: Join the discussion

Kimberley gas plant threatens Aboriginal culture: Join the discussion

6.30 with George Negus | Channel Ten - Watch Full Episodes and Video

6.30 with George Negus | Channel Ten - Watch Full Episodes and Video

Dinosaur's of James Price Point.

Council wants more heritage listing details - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Council wants more heritage listing details - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Lets get our heads out of the toilet issue and see through all the $%#@.

While Wayne Bergmann stoops to new levels by accusing the Broome Community No Gas Campaigners of untruthful acts of vandalism in his effort to desperately try to cover the eyes of the reality, on the ground.

The facts of the issue are:

Woodside were granted a Licence (1606-2008-01 to Occupy Crown Land, in Accordance with Section 91 of the Land Administration Act 1997 by the Department of Lands Administration. However, one of the conditions of this licence was that the Licensee (Woodside) must comply with Laws and Orders

2.3 (a) The Licensee shall punctually comply with and observe, at the expense of the Licensee, all laws and all lawful orders and requirements of any statutory, public or other government Agency which relates to the Licence Area or any part of it, or the use or occupancy of the Licence Area, and with all lawful notices received either by the Licensor or the Licensee from any such Government Agency.

In addition to this Section 91 Licence.

Permit 483 was issued by the Department of Indigenous Affairs, under Section 16 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 to Eureka Archaeological Search and Consulting to under take site investigations, effective from dated 8^th April – 7 April 2014.

However, the Aboriginal Heritage Act- Section 16

Excavation of Aboriginal sites clearly states:

(1) Subject to section 18, the right to excavate or to remove any thing from an Aboriginal site is reserved to the Registrar.

(2) The Registrar, on the advice of the Committee, may authorise the entry upon and excavation of an Aboriginal site and the examination or removal of any thing on or under the site in such manner and subject to such conditions as the Committee may advise.

The conditions of the Permit Holder was to adhere to the provisions of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 and its Regulations and one of the Particular Conditions wa:

1. That Mr Joseph Roe is consulted regarding the proposed activities authorised under this Permit and afforded opportunity to participate in the conduct of these activities.

On Monday, DIA admitted that Woodside and its contractors do not have a Section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act Permits. The fact that the particular conditions placed on the permit 483 was not implemented or upheld in regards to Joseph Roe being consulted, constituted a very serious breach of the Permit.

The Permit states:

A breach of these conditions will result in forfeiture of the permit and may jeopardize considerations of future applications. Therefore, the Goolarabooloo are seeking that this Permit 483 be immediately forfeiture.

Because of these serious breaches of the Aboriginal Heritage Act, the Section 91 Permit should be withdrawn by the Minster for Lands Brendan Grylls instantaneously.

Joseph Roe is the registered Principle Informant with the Department of Indigenous Affairs Registrar and is completely in his rights to seek a cease to work order from DIA.

Meanwhile, all the other Contractors employed by Woodside and individuals involved in the desecration and damage to registered Heritage Sites in Country for the last 2 months will all be investigated and prosecution will be likely.

UNLICENSED DESECRATION OF ABORIGINAL HERITAGE AT JAMES PRICE POINT

DIA Representatives with Goolarabooloo Jabbir-Jabbir representatives surveying desecration to numerous registered Aboriginal Heritage sites by Woodside and their contractors within the James Price Point area

Principal Aboriginal Custodian for James Price Point

Mr Joseph Roe

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 22 June 2011

UNLICENSED DESECRATION OF ABORIGINAL HERITAGE AT JAMES PRICE POINT

The principal Aboriginal custodian of James Price Point and Elder for the Goolarabooloo Jabbir-Jabbir people Mr Joseph Roe has thanked the Department of Indigenous Affairs’ (DIA) Compliance Officers for the thoroughness and manner in which they have conducted their investigations on traditional country over the past two days.

In a formal complaint lodged to DIA on 9 June 2011, Mr Roe provided detailed photographic and video evidence of significant damage by archaeologists and seismic testers working for Woodside. They have been recklessly damaging burial sites, middens and ancient remnant rain forests.

Over the past two days, the three DIA Officers guided by traditional custodians spent more than nine hours meticulously taking evidence of significant damage done by Woodside contractors undertaking preliminary work for the doomed gas plant.

“The damage started in early May 2011 and continues to this day”, says Mr Roe. “My most important cultural responsibility as handed down to me from my Lulu (late grandfather) is to look after these sacred sites. They’ve never had vehicles driven over them. The actions of these contractors are a painful reality, disrespectful to our culture and our ancestors.”

Mr Roe is confident that Woodside’s conduct will invalidate the section 16 permit.

“On top of damaging these sacred sites, information I have just received from the DIA Officers strongly suggest that this so-called preliminary work is not in accordance with the provisions of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA).”

Breaches of the AHA can result in criminal prosecution.

The Broome Community NO GAS campaign has blockaded Woodside workers and contractors from Manari Road for the last 16 days.

Protecting the Kimberley speech | Scott Ludlam

Protecting the Kimberley speech | Scott Ludlam

Barnett tells protesters to 'move on'

Barnett tells protesters to 'move on'

QUT | News | Communities reject new mining projects heavily reliant on non-resident workforces

QUT | News | Communities reject new mining projects heavily reliant on non-resident workforces