Gas hub future unclear after native title dispute - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

While it's unclear how the tussle over the land will play out in the Federal Court, it now appears increasingly unlikely the Government will be able to guarantee land access to Woodside and its joint venture partners when the deadline for a final investment decision passes at the end of June.

Gas hub future unclear after native title dispute - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation):

The Goolarabooloo families, led by brothers Phillip and Joseph Roe, Richard Hunter have welcomed the decision.

Joseph Roe has told the ABC he feels "very, very happy" to have the chance to put his family's claim before the court.

"(I'll) get my native title claim registered, protect my sites up there, burial sites, the song cycle, and everything in that country."

The implications for the land deal already struck are not clear, but if the new claims are successfully registered, the Government would be legally required to negotiate land access with both groups.

Doubtful protest flares PRIME7 - Yahoo!7

Doubtful protest flares PRIME7 - Yahoo!7

Hundreds of anti CSG campaigners gathered at the site to stop the drill rig gaining access.
Three people were arrested during the dramatic scenes.

The Broome community has been subjected to their type of corporate state sanction abuse for a number of years, so it is if great respect and in total solidarity that we stand with with our fellow country men and women in the protection of our land, water, air and communities. We have a national movement on our hands and it can only get stronger in its growing momentum.    . 

6 February 2013

Interesting and useful comments from Burke on attached interview.

Makes it pretty clear the Feds are sceptical about the WA assessment so now would be a good time to crank up pressure on him to say the assessment has failed to meet the strategic assessment terms of reference and requirements of EPBC Act and needs to be redone (or else to just come out and say NO!)...

PlanningWA :: Browse Improvement Plan/Scheme

PlanningWA :: Browse Improvement Plan/Scheme:
Browse Improvement Plan No.37 (824.71 KB)
Improvement Plan for Browse LNG Precinct gazetted

An Improvement Plan, which will guide and regulate the development of the Browse LNG Precinct has been finalised by the Western Australian Planning Commission and was gazetted on 29 January 2013.

Improvement Plan No.37 – Browse Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Precinct applies to land approximately 60 kilometres north of Broome, on the West Kimberley coast of Western Australia.

The Improvement Plan will guide the preparation of a Draft Improvement Scheme for the Browse LNG Precinct, to provide a regulatory framework that will enable efficient approvals processes.
An improvement Scheme will identify appropriate land uses within specific areas of the Browse LNG Precinct, and surrounding buffer zones, along with the road layout and/or movement network, corridor layout and physical infrastructure (e.g. gas pipelines, drainage, water supply).
The planning requirements outlined in the scheme will be additional to environmental and heritage conditions and approvals.

When the draft Improvement Scheme has been considered and accepted by the WAPC, it will be advertised for public comment for 90 days. During this period relevant Government agencies and the Shire of Broome will also consider and advise on the Scheme.

After consultation with the Shire of Broome, public comment and advice of other agencies has been considered and incorporated, and the Scheme has been adopted – all proposals for development in the Precinct will be required to conform with the Improvement Scheme.

   Browse Improvement Plan 37 by   redhanded8937

Pages - Statement Details: Reform cut red tape and streamlined planning

Pages - Statement Details: “A major achievement in Western Australia’s planning reform agenda came in July 2011 with the establishment of 15 Development Assessment Panels which have combined professional input with local representation as part of the process to approve major land developments.”


Achievements have included planning reform legislation, adoption of the Directions 2031 and Beyond strategy, the Multi-Unit Housing Code and the online Urban Development Program.


The Minister said a great deal of energy and commitment had also gone into planning for regional WA, with the establishment of regional planning committees and preparation of regional planning and infrastructure frameworks, which would guide development across WA.


The 2012 national Development Assessment Report Card, issued annually by the Property Council of Australia gave Western Australia’s planning system an overall score of 7.1 out of 10, up from 5.3 in 2010, and ranking WA second in the country. The property council cited planning reform initiatives and the introduction of Development Assessment Panels as the key reasons for the significant improvement in WA’s score.

Fifteen thousand call on Burke to stop the destruction of Aboriginal burial grounds at James Price Point

Woodside were recently granted a Section 18 permit from the West Australian State Government allowing them to destroy or alter the listed Aboriginal heritage sites in the area, which contain sacred and burial sites important to the traditional custodians, the Goolarabooloo. Similar applications in the 1990’s were turned back as the sites were deemed too culturally significant, yet there has been no indication from the state government as to what has changed since then to lessen this significance.

Spokesperson Errol Roe continued, “Even after other state government said this area must be protected, the Barnett government has rubber stamped the destruction of our ancient burial grounds and midden sites. Barnett is hell-bent on allowing Woodside to destroy this really important part of our living culture, no matter what cost. We call on Minister Burke to step in and stop the destruction of these burial sites.”

In response to the imminent destruction of these culturally important burial and sacred sites, the Goolarabooloo, one of two Native Title claimant groups for the area, have officially called on the Minister to enact an urgent stop work order under his power over Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage and Protection. While awaiting the minister’s decision, Teresa Roe, great grandmother and matriarch of the Goolarabooloo family started a petition, which has resonated around the globe, gaining quick and growing support.

In the petition Teresa Roe explains, “My spirit comes from this country. My sister was stolen by welfare so my parents hid me, so I could be raised on country with my culture. I raised 9 of my own children and 8 of my sisters children after she passed away. My sons are the law men for this country. They have the responsibility to protect it. They hold the songs, the stories. Our ancestors are buried in those dunes. No one would allow a whitefella cemetery to be dug up so why here?”

The controversial gas hub proposal at James Price Point has become one of the largest environmental and cultural issues in Australia today, causing on-going community protests headed by the Goolarabooloo, local and global opposition, and creating a major rift in the Broome community.

For additional comments or information please contact media coordinator, Malcolm Lindsay, on 0405 667 103.Goolarabooloo MEDIA RELEASE 04/02/2013
Fifteen thousand call on Burke to stop the destruction of Aboriginal burial grounds at James Price Point

Traditional owners of the controversial James Price Point Gas Hub site are calling on Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to respond immediately to an overwhelming call from the community asking the Minister to intervene and protect the listed burial grounds and sacred sites of Walmadany, James Price Point, which are set to be destroyed by Woodside’s exploratory works.

Spokesperson for the Goolarabooloo family Errol Roe said, “Tony Burke must act now, and intervene to stop the destruction of ancient burial grounds and our culture. In only two weeks, over 15,000 people have signed my grandmother Teresa Roe’s petition on change.org calling on Burke to intervene.”

(1) Media Alert Tuesday...Northern Rivers stand up against CSG.

(1) Media Alert Tuesday...: Northern Rivers stand up against CSG.

The only way a gravel truck can get in the Metgasco drill site is with a police escort. Please share this picture. — at Doubtful Creek, Kyogle Action.

 "This is an overt display of force by the NSW Government with the police acting as private security forces for Metgasco in direct opposition to the wishes of the local community who have voted overwhelmingly against coal seam gas mining in the region" he said.


Red Handed states: Unfortunately, these types of  scenes are very familiar to the Broome community. For the last 2 years the Broome Community has been victim to this type of enforcement and punished because we dare to demand a voice in our future. We dare stand up and say we are never going to give up Country, Community or Culture for the greed of a few.

Apparently, these people dressed in blue should be there protecting people and their wellbeing not the interests of faceless gutless corporations. I have a dream that one day maybe,  just one of these people in blue has the moral fortitude and ethical fiber to stand aside and say "I ami standing up for what is right and just'. " I am standing up for people, community because that is why I join the force to serve and protect people and communities from harm'. "I am standing up because it is the right thing to do, not because its an order". "I am standing up because in all realty that is my real job!"

But more importantly we need to stay focused on the fact the the police are just the enforcers, we need to target the corporate instigators and their government lackeys. We need to target the shareholders who are making a profit at the expense of other people's liveihoods, health and freedoms.
 
We are witnessing across Australia, the fracturing of rural and remote communities that goes hand in glove with these earth raping activities. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, WE DO NOT WANT TO BE GASED!

BP mulls Browse gas stake - The West Australian

BP has just days to scupper PetroChina's $US1.63 billion ($1.56 billion) plan to buy into the Woodside Browse LNG project.As Shell manoeuvres to convince its joint venture partners to go with a floating solution for the Browse gas development, pre-emptive rights held by the Woodside Browse partners to match PetroChina's offer for BHP Billiton's about 11 per cent in the consortium are understood to expire early next week.

BP has long been regarded as interested in increasing its about 17 per cent stake in the Browse project because it is underweight in Australian upstream oil and gas when compared with rivals Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips.

Behind the Seams: who’s asking questions about coal seam gas and health? | Crikey

Behind the Seams: who’s asking questions about coal seam gas and health? | Crikey:
CSG development poses poorly assessed, yet potentially serious health risks to the community, through contamination of water, air and soil, as well as complex long-term impacts. Current assessment, regulation and monitoring of impacts on the environment, public health and vulnerable communities are insufficient to give confidence of adequate safeguards. If we do not act now and demand that our health be protected we may find that no amount of money can compensate us later.

A Class National Park designed around a Copper Mine

Can’t figure out how Pegasus have been able to lay straight in bed when making this statement, Pegasus Metals Limited is pleased to advise that its McLarty Range Copper Project sits outside the boundary of the WA Government’s proposed Class A national park in the Kimberley region and therefore will not be affected by the plan. The proposed park, which includes Horizontal Falls at Talbot Bay, comprises the area set aside by the WA Government when it created a Mining Act Section 19 Exemption Area over the Horizontal Falls in December last year.

The only reason that E04/1441  sits outside the park is that the government created the park around E04/1441 and that their application for E04/2267 inside the park applied for on 23/11/2012 is still pending.

Proposed Class A national park designed for miners

Pegasus Metals Limited is pleased to advise that its McLarty Range Copper Project sits outside the boundary of the WA Government’s proposed Class A national park in the Kimberley region and therefore will not be affected by the plan. The proposed park, which includes Horizontal Falls at Talbot Bay, comprises the area set aside by the WA Government when it created a Mining Act Section 19 Exemption Area over the Horizontal Falls in December last year.

The proposed park also includes areas that are not the subject of granted Exploration Licences. The tenements which form part of the McLarty Range project include one granted Exploration Licence and an Exploration Licence Application that falls outside and to the east of the proposed area of the Class A national park.

As Pegasus announced to the ASX on December 10, 2012, this Exemption Area did not affect in any way the granted tenure or access to the Bowerbird and Copper Cliff/Main Syncline prospect areas that have been the focus of Pegasus’ exploration as part of its McLarty Range Project. Moreover, Pegasus and its McLarty Range Project partner Kimminco Pty Ltd assisted the WA Government with this Exemption Area by relinquishing an ELA (E04/2001) and two blocks of a granted exploration licence (E04/1441).



The Horizontal Falls on the remote Kimberley coast attracts thousands of visitors each year.
But the area is also rich in copper and has caught the attention of the mining industry.
Despite assurances that falls won't be mined, tour operators are nervous and were pinning some  hope on natural heritage listing.

Open pit copper mine-kapunda south australia

 

The act of copper mining, processing, smelting, and waste disposal are responsible for air quality reduction. Huge amounts of dust are generated along with gases, tailings, and waste rock. The transportation of dust can cause reduced visibility, coating of houses, vegetation damage, and numerous health impacts. Copper processing releases large quantities of toxic air particles and gases. Airborne toxins can harm both workers and citizens located at distant locations from the mine.

Royal Dutch Shell slows decisions on LNG projects | The Australian

Royal Dutch Shell slows decisions on LNG projects | The Australian

The James Price Point option would see oil giants pay compensation worth $1.3 billion to local Aboriginals. Supporters say the onshore option would give the State Government the ability to foster industry in the Kimberley and would allow the development of other gas fields off the far North West.

While it is generally known that Shell, which is a major partner in the Browse field with Woodside, opposes processing the gas on land because of price fears, the company has so far downplayed its position, making Voser's comments a significant slap in the face to the WA Government.

Mr Voser said its floating LNG venture in Abadi in Indonesia was likely to be its next Project in the Asia Pacific and its gas resources off Exmouth, including Browse - which it shares with partners including Woodside - could "become floating LNG".

JPMorgan has calculated that James Price Point will cost $50.6 billion, compared with $41.2 billion for floating LNG.

WHAT WOODSIDE BRINGS TO TOWN, BROOME COMMUNITY BE AWARE, BE VERY AWARE.

According to their self-promotion, they are a dynamic company with a fresh approach to security. They recognise that the security industry has a reputation for thuggery, arrogance and a lack of professionalism, but they train their staff to be professional, friendly, and focused on communication rather than confrontation. 

Apparently, Woodside and their hand maiden Barnett is so concerned for the security of their proposed precious GAS HUB at James Price point, that yet a third security firm has been contracted to distance the government from the systematic dirty work of the intimidation of the Broome community.  

According to Michael Cohen, director at Executive Security Solutions, this firm ‘was established with the view of providing tailor-made security packages designed to meet each client's individual needs.’ Just what does a ‘tailor-made security package’ look like when the individual client is Colin Barnett? , and  the training provided by this firm includes    ‘Self Defense and defensive tactics’, ‘Baton and handcuffs’,  and  ‘Firearms’. 

 

The Broome community has already experienced the bully boy tactics of private security firms initiated by Woodside and the Barnett government to quell community opposition to the proposed gas hub. If,  Barnett succeeds with the mandate at the imminent State election the Broome community needs to brace itself against the petulant wrath of this man and his hired dominions’.

Industry Links

Government

www.police.vic.gov.au – Victoria Police

www.police.nsw.gov.au – NSW Police

www.police.qld.gov.au – Queensland Police

www.afp.gov.au – Australian Federal Police

www.asio.gov.au – Australian Security Intelligence Organisation

www.asis.gov.au – Australian Secret Intelligence Service

www.nationalsecurity.gov.au – Australian National Security

Organisations/Companies

www.asial.com.au – Australian Security Industry Association Limited

www.homelandsecurity.org.au – Australian Homeland Security Research Centre

www.crimestoppers.com.au – Crime Stoppers

www.signalone.com.au – Signal One

At ESS we offer an all encompassing security package, including highly trained specialist personnel and sophisticated security products, providing our clients with all their security-related needs.

Our products and services include:

Security Guards,    Crowd Controllers,    Executive Protection,    Security Consultancy.    Technical Counter Surveillance,    Electronic Security Systems,    Mobile Patrols and   Alarm Monitoring

ESS has evolved from a company that initially provided only static guards and crowd controllers to one which now provides comprehensive security solutions, including electronic security systems, security consultancy, risk management and all-encompassing personnel services.

http://www.execsecurity.com.au/

Just to remind you, what the Broome community has been subjected to for years, with surveillance by private security firms Hostile environmental services and Lockforce.

This is what WOODSIDE HAS BROUGHT to OUR COMMUNITY OF BROOME.