States gives final tick for James Price Point | WA Business News

States gives final tick for James Price Point | WA Business News:

Environs Kimberley director Martin Pritchard said the state government had fixed its sights on James Price Point "based on politics rather than on science".

"And they have failed to properly consider social and economic impacts on Broome and the Kimberley," Mr Pritchard said.

"This proposal would be the biggest environmental disaster the Kimberley has ever seen."

The Wilderness Society labelled the state's environmental assessment process "a sham", pointing to the fact an Environmental Protection Authority report advising Mr Marmion to back the project was left to just one man, chairman Paul Vogel, after his four fellow board members abstained due to conflicts of interest.

Mining activity jumps 500pc in Kimberley - The West Australian

Mining activity jumps 500pc in Kimberley - The West Australian:

Onshore oil and gas activity in the Canning Basin has increased, along with interest in uranium, bauxite at Mitchell Plateau and copper at the Horizontal Falls.

Pew project manager Rupert Quinlan said proposed mines now threatened almost eight in 10 rivers, wetlands and floodplains in the Kimberley and about a quarter of its conservation areas had mining or exploration permits over them.

"If you look at the southern part of the map where the Fitzroy River is, mining exploration basically covers hundreds of kilometres of that river system," he said. "Across the Kimberley, either current mining or proposed mining impacts on 76 per cent of rivers and wetlands and floodplains - there are very real risks, particularly with some of the open cut types of mines, on groundwater and water quality."

Coalition for Australian Communities COAC

"If you look at the southern part of the map where the Fitzroy River is, mining exploration basically covers hundreds of kilometres of that river system," he said. "Across the Kimberley, either current mining or proposed mining impacts on 76 per cent of rivers and wetlands and floodplains - there are very real risks, particularly with some of the open cut types of mines, on groundwater and water quality."

 

Mining activity jumps 500pc in Kimberleyhttp://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/a/-/wa/15414803/mining-activity-jumps-500pc-in-kimberley/

Join the Coalition for Australian Communities, until all communities in Australia stand up together against these corporations that want to destroy communities, environment, use all our water and poison our air, nothing will change.  

If you think this map is shocking and distressful you should see how the whole island has been pegged. Government want to take the green tape out of the red. Australians want to colour in with a deep strong green. This will be the next big national movement.

The Environment Minister Bill Marmion just put out this release giving State Government environmental approval to the gas precinct at James Price Point:

000917

Broome Community No Gas Campaign

Broome Community No Gas Campaign

BROOME COMMUNITY NO GAS CAMPAIGN

“PROTECT THE KIMBERLEY” SAYS COMMUNITY

Over 200 people gathered on Cable Beach yesterday and unfurled a banner calling for Governments at all levels to “Protect the Kimberley”. The banner came from the John Butler Concert for the Kimberley held recently at Federation Square, Melbourne.

This latest action demonstrates that Community members continue to protest the industrialisation of the Kimberley.  The Broome Community No Gas Campaign will continue to protest the development of James Price Point as an LNG processing precinct, and in particular the planned new port.

The State Government’s Browse Land Agreement provides for a new port in perpetuity, and facilities to provide a source of energy and export facility for a range of commodities out of the Kimberley.  “This is not the 30 year project that community people have been led to believe” said Community Member Nik Wevers.

With mining tenements and exploration leases all over the Kimberley, there is enormous concern within the community about the social impacts that mining and gas extraction will have on local communities.   This applies especially to Broome, should the James Price Point gas hub goes ahead.

Check out these photos of the Broome community, on the beach yeaterday on the above link.

0917 - Browse Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Precinct - Ministerial Approval Statements - Post Assessment

0917 - Browse Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Precinct - Ministerial Approval Statements - Post Assessment:
0917 - Browse Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Precinct
Summary: Statement that a future proposal(s) identified in a strategic proposal may be implemented (sections 40b and 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986) within the Browse Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Precinct located at James Price Point.
Release Date: 19 November 2012
Status: Final

The Environment Minister Bill Marmion just put out this release giving State Government environmental approval to the gas precinct at James Price Point:

Browse LNG proposal gets environmental nod
• Environment Minister reaches agreement wi

th decision-making authorities
• Marine and terrestrial fauna, monsoon vine thickets and heritage to be protected

Environment Minister Bill Marmion today provided environmental approval for the Department of State Development’s proposed Browse Liquefied Natural Gas Precinct at James Price Point, north of Broome.

Mr Marmion said his decision followed three weeks’ consultation with other decision-making authorities and the ministers for Mines and Petroleum; Indigenous Affairs; Lands; and Transport.

“In reaching this agreement, I also took into account comments made by the ministers for Planning and State Development; and agencies, including the departments of Environment and Conservation, and Water; and the Shire of Broome,” he said.

The strengthened conditions will:
- improve knowledge and strengthen protection of whales, dolphins, dugongs, turtles and sawfish, including from the impacts of noise and pile driving
- reduce impacts on the monsoon vine thickets
- enhance protection of dinosaur tracks
- better address the risk of pollution from oil spills and air emissions, and invasive marine species.

“I have also strengthened conditions for the involvement of traditional owners and native title claimants, and the requirements for stakeholder and community consultation in the development of a range of environmental management plans,” the Minister said.

“I am satisfied the strictest environmental approvals process has been followed to ensure all possible issues have been addressed.

“On top of a four-year investigation by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), I appointed an independent Appeals Committee to investigate the 244 appeals lodged against the EPA’s recommendations. This resulted in a comprehensive review of the EPA’s report, which allowed me to strengthen the final conditions so the environment will be properly protected if the precinct is developed.”

Fact File
• Federal Government still to finalise environmental/heritage assessment & approvals process
• Following determination of the appeals, Environment Minister reached agreement with decision-making ministers that proposal could proceed subject to strengthened conditions
• Final conditions: www.epa.wa.gov.au/peia/approvalstatements/Pages/0917.aspx

Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 949.81 KB)
Appeals close

New action to stop $35bn gas hub | The Australian

New action to stop $35bn gas hub | The Australian:

FRESH legal action has been launched to stop Woodside's $35 billion gas hub project at James Price Point, near Broome, which has divided Aboriginal and community groups in Western Australia's far north.

The WA Supreme Court has been asked to overturn the state government's second attempt at compulsory acquisition of the site and rule the $1.5bn compensation deal negotiated with the Kimberley Land Council invalid.

A summons has been lodged in the WA Supreme court against the State of Western Australia, WA Minister for Land, WA Land Corporation, Broome Port Authority, the Kimberley Land Council and others.

Premier Colin Barnett and Woodside have confirmed the action and say they will defend it. A Kimberley Land Council official said no one was available to comment. In a statement, Mr Barnett said: "The agreement reached by a vote of traditional owners was in accordance with the Commonwealth Native Title process under the supervision of the Federal Court. The state government is confident it has acted in accordance with this process and that the second Notice of Intention to Take was valid," Mr Barnett said.

The action alleges the government facilitated an abuse of the federal court process in its dealings over James Price Point.

The new court proceedings come as opponents of the project claim traditional owners are voting to restrict the spread of mining in the Kimberley.

Within days of the latest court action being lodged, Woodside stopped work at James Price Point, removed all of its machinery and buildings and placed "revegetation site" signs around the area. The company said the site had been prepared for the coming cyclone season but there was still work to do this year.

Woodside's joint venture to save capital costs | The Australian

Woodside's joint venture to save capital costs | The Australian:
JPMorgan said FLNG would be far more profitable for the partners, but noted it could cost the federal government about $7bn in foregone taxes and involved "tricky but not necessarily fatal" political obstacles.

The offshore option was technically feasible and could "avoid the majority of environmental and social opposition to the Browse development", according to JPMorgan oil and gas analyst Ben Wilson.

First independent tests: High CSG methane levels - Breakfast - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

First independent tests: High CSG methane levels - Breakfast - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation):

Over the past decade in both America and Australia, there's been increasing dispute about the nature and extent of methane emissions from the shale and coal seam gas industries.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and a resolution of the argument will help determine whether so-called unconventional gas is a 'transition' fuel to to a low carbon future.

Late yesterday, scientists from Southern Cross University unveiled details of the first independent testing for methane in a CSG production field in Australia, with the preliminary readings having potentially significant ramifications for the carbon liability of the booming coal seam gas industry

BHP ponders Canning shale gas push - The West Australian

BHP ponders Canning shale gas push - The West Australian:

Aerial view of drilling in Colorado

BHP Billiton says it is in talks with land and permit holders in the Canning Basin as it works out whether to extend its $US20 billion Texas shale push into WA.

The mining giant's petroleum boss, Mike Yeager, said Australia's "preferential location" to Asian LNG customers meant BHP had to look at unconventional opportunities here, and he singled out the onshore Canning Basin in the Kimberley as a key target.

But Mr Yeager also warned of the logistical challenges in WA, and costs, and said any gas discovered was likely to have to be exported.

Chris Maher from Greens for the Seat of Kimberley

Albert Wiggan from Beagle Bay endorses Chris Maher from Greens for the Seat of Kimberley in the 2013 WA state election.

Follow the campaign:

https://www.facebook.com/greenmaher
https://www.twitter.com/greenmaher

Huge LNG cost blowout

THE LOOK OF A VERY WORRIED MAN

Huge LNG cost blowout:

Chevron’s general manager for operations in Australia, Brian Smith did not wish to speculate on the extent of the cost increase. Photo: Claire Martin

 Australia’s biggest ever resources development, Chevron’s Gorgon liquefied natural gas project, faces a $20 billion cost blowout to more than $60 billion because of the high dollar, union demands, high-cost local manufacturing and productivity issues.

WOODSIDE, JAMES WILL NOT BRING YOU HOME.

Bikie anti-association laws passed - The West Australian

Bikie anti-association laws passed - The West Australian:

UNDERSTAND THAT THESE LAWS ARE FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST BIKIES AND HAVE BEEN USED AGAINST ACTIVISTS IN WA BEFORE, ONCE THE COMMISSIONER FOR POLICE MARKS YOU, THEY WILL AND CAN DO WHATEVER THEY LIKE.

Under the new laws, the police commissioner and Corruption and Crime Commission can apply to a judge to have groups declared criminal organisations if they associate for the purpose of criminal activity and pose a risk to public safety.

WA Attorney-General Michael Mischin said the legislation would also provide for mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for members of criminal organisations convicted of serious offences.

“Once a criminal organisation has been declared, a range of measures can be imposed on members, including WA Police applying to the Supreme Court for control orders to stop them associating with other controlled persons, going to banned locations, promoting or recruiting for the organisation, or transferring funds to the organisation,” he said.

Methane leaking from coal seam gas field, testing shows

Methane leaking from coal seam gas field, testing shows:

Vast amounts of methane appear to be leaking undetected from Australia's biggest coal seam gas field, according to world-first research that undercuts claims by the gas industry.

Testing inside the Tara gas field, near Condamine on Queensland's Western Downs, found some greenhouse gas levels over three times higher than nearby districts, according to the study by researchers at Southern Cross University.

The study has potential national consequences because last week's energy white paper forecast a massive expansion of Australian coal seam gas drilling, and called for environmental objections to be removed to make large-scale gas extraction easier

Remove as much green and red tape as possible

Under pressure from big business and the mining industry, governments are moving forward with an aggressive plan to wind back our environmental protection laws.  In the guise of cutting ‘green tape’, government and industry propose to hand important federal approval powers to the states, and fast track approvals for large developments. This will remove federal protection for our most special places and wildlife, and accelerate mining and other destructive development in our forests, rural landscapes and long our coasts.

Take Action:

http://placesyoulove.org/take-action/
“He also noted that the cost of regulation was becoming an increasing burden on the industry, calling for a nationally harmonised framework on coal seam gas while pledging to remove as much green and red tape as possible.”

This is the type of LNG gas development they are wanting at James Price Point

50 years ago, Australians ran a successful community campaign to create the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

That’s why Get Up is kicking this campaign off by blanketing cinemas across Queensland. If we raise enough we'll screen it in Tony Burke's electorate too. Are you able to help this thing go big?

https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/mining/gladstone/watch-this-video-now

Our Environment Minister Tony Burke and his government really don’t want destroying the Reef to become their legacy. Neither do we.

Thanks for standing up for the Reef,
the GetUp team.

Woodside's Browse gas project is a myth designed to keep shareholders attached to the carrot.

Woodside stated that "We have completed our main survey activities for 2012 and crews are demobilising," yesterday. 

But this time last year, Woodside, in their preparation for the wet season, were erecting the fencing and installing cameras on the perimeter. The fuel tank was also left during the wet last year but this has also been removed from the site.

What the article in today’s Australian fails to address is the fact that Woodside did not implement their planned and Development Assessment Panel approved activities.
The Communication (Meteorological) Tower was not developed in accordance with Woodside’s P3 – P6 plans.

Hydrological Investigations including up to three drill pads, two turkey nest dams, and one lay down area that should have included workers accommodation within either of the two sites Woodside indicated on their P2 was not developed in accordance with their P7 – P10 plan. 

Only one turkey dam was constructed and this has now been filled back in and the top soil and mulching material has been spread across the site.  The drill pads were not constructed on concreted pads and their drill sites did not operate 24/7 for nine months as outline in their planning application. No workers accommodation - transportable accommodation and all associated facilities proposed for 24 people were not built.

The geotechnical Investigations and related activities including clearing within their the area marked on P2 as the Vegetation Clearing Permit (CPS3771) area and on plans P11 and P12 for the areas on both the east and west side of Manari Road were not undertaken.

A helicopter landing zone within their area marked on their plan P2 was not developed in accordance with plan P13 & 14. It was not established as all.

No Lay down area, access tracks and fencing to the areas on the west side of Manari Road was undertaken.
There are serious questions about whether Woodside’s Licence to Occupy Crown Land in accordance with Section 91 of the Administration of Land Act is still valid as this Licence expired on the 24th October 2012. There is no evidence that this Licence was extended.

The rehabilitation of the site is to be carried out in accordance with a rehabilitation component of Woodside’s Environmental Management Plan as approved by the Shire of Broome and the Department of Environment and Conservation.  This should include but is not limited to the rehabilitation of the site upon cessation of activities approved.

Meanwhile, something is cooking in Beagle Bay, with Woodside planning to hold a community water information session about Beagle Bay’s water and how Woodside intend to utilize it.
Fears mount for Woodside's $40bn Browse gas project | The Australian:
WOODSIDE Petroleum has dismantled its work compound at James Price Point in the Kimberley amid mounting speculation that its planned $40 billion Browse gas project will be developed offshore using floating LNG technology.

But the company doused speculation among Kimberley locals and environmentalists that the move signalled it had abandoned James Price Point as a preferred site, saying it was demobilising work crews before the wet season.
 However, Woodside did not remove the 10,000sq m compound that contains machinery, transportable buildings, a generator and a medical station before last year's wet season.

The move comes as Woodside evaluates the tender bids for construction of the Browse project amid estimates that cost of a greenfields project in the Kimberley is likely to be prohibitive.

The company is expected to have finished analysing the tenders within weeks and the Browse joint venture will be in a position to make a final decision on James Price Point during the first half of next year.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett yesterday confirmed he was lobbying against oil and gas giant Royal Dutch Shell's mounting push to stop the gas coming onshore by developing Browse using FLNG.

The Australian reported yesterday that Mr Barnett was aiming to pressure Browse partners Woodside, Shell, BHP Billiton, BP, Mitsubishi and Mitsui to process the gas at James Price Point.

Shell's preference for FLNG could end the environmental controversy over the use of James Price Point, 60km north of the tourist town of Broome. Mr Barnett and his advisers have told senior executives in the oil and gas industry that the Premier would do all he could to ensure Shell was unable to use its expanded equity stake in Browse to process the gas offshore.

The Premier yesterday denied he would "campaign" against Shell but said he would "strongly support" the gas coming onshore at James Price Point.

"I'm not supportive of proposals or suggestions of a floating LNG project," he said.

"That would be building, probably in The Philippines or somewhere else, a major structure, bigger than aircraft carriers, that would be moored 200km off the coast.

"There will not be a single job for Australian workers in building that. There may well be a foreign crew on it. And that would mean that that gas would never come onshore to be part of the West Australian or, indeed, national economy."

Shell's surprise move in August to pay $450 million to triple its stake in the Browse project has increased speculation that it will push for FLNG.

Shell is already using FLNG for its Prelude gasfield and is planning to roll out a fleet of vessels that can exploit other remote fields.

A Woodside spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that the 10,000sq m compound at James Price Point had been removed in recent days but said survey work would restart early next year.

"We have completed our main survey activities for 2012 and crews are demobilising," she said.

"Equipment is being removed and the site is being made safe for anticipated rain and high winds.

"Some activities will continue over the wet season and we will recommence our survey activities in 2013, subject to relevant approvals and weather conditions."

Barnett battles Shell Browse plan | The Australian

Barnett battles Shell Browse plan | The Australian:
A spokeswoman for Mr Barnett said the federal government was "very much aware" of WA's position that the gas needed to come onshore at James Price Point. She said the Premier would not identify which of the Browse partners wanted to use FLNG.

In an interview with The Australian last month, Shell's director of projects and technology, Matthias Bichsel, would not rule out considering FLNG as a development option for Browse. "All the various opportunities in Australia, they should be illuminated through different lenses. That's all I can say at this moment," Dr Bichsel said when asked if FLNG could solve the debate over Browse.

Dr Bichsel stressed FLNG technology was an ideal solution for gasfields that were far from shore, and where potential coastal LNG plant sites had high levels of environmental or social sensitivity.

"FLNG allows you, from an environmental point of view, to (produce LNG) without disturbing coastlines or building a big facility in some pristine environment.

"Where you have that, it may help you with a solution."

Woodside declined to comment.

Woodside, 'taking out the trash' ...

Woodside, 'taking out the trash' ...
Images: Shane Again, (Red Finger)

  horse club grounds entrance to where this rubbish was taken, through gate to left of Jack nox arena sign; rodeo grounds, Broome ...

... these piles of fence posts with concrete footings still attached, together with rolls and rolls of chain link fence, together with rolls and rolls and rolls of barbed wire have all come from Woodsides destructive works at James Price Point, today.
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Do not trust that this is the end for Woodside But, it is great for Country to get a break from the noise, the dust, the light pollution and the constant traffic and aircraft noise. Allowing some time now for Country to recover the strength, beauty, and to feel the Songline in the cooling rain of the coming wet season. Will Woodsdie try and push into the dunes? A good question. Will the communication tower be removed? Why have they just spend millions upgrading the Manari Road, and their application for their Section 18 is still on the agenda for the ACMC on the 21st of this month. Yes, the smell of rats is still very strong. However, Shell seems happy to let the cat out of the bag, stating that floating is the way of the Browse.

Barnett battles Shell Browse plan | The Australian

Barnett battles Shell Browse plan | The Australian:
WEST Australian Premier Colin Barnett is threatening to campaign against Royal Dutch Shell's mounting push to develop the $40 billion Browse project using radical floating liquefied natural gas technology, arguing the move will cost thousands of construction jobs and set a dangerous precedent.

The Anglo-Dutch giant's preference for the Woodside Petroleum-operated Browse project to use FLNG could end the environmental controversy over the use of James Price Point, 60km north of the Kimberley town of Broome, as the site for a major processing plant. But Kimberley Aborigines would lose access to a $1.5bn benefits package if their land at James Price Point was not needed for the project .