PROPOSED DRILLING FLUIDS FACILITY – PORTION OF LOTS 621 AND 698 PORT DRIVE, MINYIRR

Proposed drilling fluid supply base facility on the foreshore of Roebuck Bay 

MI Australia is not operating as responsible corporate citizen, cannot perform to World Best Practise and have continued operating illegally without the appropriate approvals or licences?

MI Australia are currently operating without appropriate approvals in accordance with the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 Category 73 & Category 75 at their sites on Decastillia Street and the OTS (Port Drive) storage of bulk chemicals and the mixing of chemicals.

In Broome, on the 23rd January 2014 the Kimberley Joint Development Assessment Panel issued conditional planning approval for proposed drilling fluids facility on the foreshore of Roebuck Bay. In accordance with one of the conditions, the applicant needed to prepare an OEMP, which was open for public comment.

MI Australia current unlicensed activities and proposed new development is causing emissions and discharges to air, land and or water?

MI Australia can not be trusted to undertake compliance or be delegated to be self monitoring given their non - compliance history and questionable management abilities.

Regulatory Obligations

M-I Australia Pty Ltd states within their OEMP that one of their key policy objectives is ‘compliance with environmental legislation'. M-I Australia, its staff and its Contractors are required under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) to prevent environmental harm, and also have a duty of care under common law to protect the environment from foreseeable risks.

MI Australia clearly have all the necessary template dialogue to appear convincing in their stewardship of the environment however current history has proven that they are incapable of professional management of such a toxic and dangerous industry. They have failed to demonstrate to this community that they can function with proficiently or conscientiously. They should not be permitted to operate on the very foreshore of Roebuck Bay.

In their OEMP, they are adamant that Under the Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987, the M-I Australia facility will comprise Category 73 & 75 Prescribed Premises (refer section 2 for additional detail). A License to operate under Part V of the EP Act is therefore required at the Site.

However, it needs to be clearly understood that MI Australia are currently operating without appropriate approvals or licences in accordance with the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 Category 73 & Category 75 at their sites on Lot 30 No 6 De Castilla Street and the OTS (Port Drive) in Broome. 

Department of Environmental Regulations have investigated and have confirmed in writing, months ago that MI DO NOT HOLD THE APPROPRIATE LICENCES however they failed to prosecution under the Act and this corporation continues to operate and in fact expand their operations and toxic wastes streams. DER also stated in this correspondence that MI Australia has now made an application to DER for the relevant approvals required at both current sites. However, to date MI Australia’s applications have not been advertised in accordance with Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 5CAA. Manner of advertising prescribed (Act s. 54(2a) (1) & (2) for their existing sites.

The EP Act requires a works approval to be obtained before constructing prescribed industrial premises and a licence or registration to operate the premises. MI Australia has not even applied for additional approvals for their proposed new site on the foreshore of Roebuck Bay?

Proposed location Broome Port within red lines

Under Section 38(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) this proposal was referred to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for a decision on assessment level. The EPA's decided not to assess was appealed.

The Office of the Appeals Convenor, is currently investigating these appeals lodged in objection to the Environmental Protection Authority’s decision. It is my understanding that these appeals were heard the week starting Monday 28th April 2014.

Public Comments on this OEMP closed on 24 April 2014, four days before the Appeals Convenor started their deliberations. This issue and this ineffectual OEMP should not come before the Broome Shire Council for endorsement until the Appeals Convenor of the Environment Minister hands down their decision.

Town Planning Scheme No 4

Under the provisions of the Shire of Broome Town Planning Scheme No 4 (TPS4) any industry activity that requires licensing as a “Prescribed Premise’ under the Environment Protection Act 1986 is defined as ‘Industry Noxious’ Industry Noxious is a D use within the Industry zone.

The Shire of Brome, on the 11 April 2007 issued a Planning Approval for ‘Industrial Development –Warehouse’ for Lot 30 No 6 DeCastilla Street. Application for a Change of Use from Industrial development – Warehouse to Noxious Industry Under TPS4 needs to be addressed and to date has not been undertaken.

Bentley Blockade facing massive police force | Mining Leaks

Bentley Blockade facing massive police force | Mining Leaks
BENTLEY CAMPAIGN DONATION
DONATE NOW
http://csgfreenorthernrivers.org/donate-now/
https://rainforestconnections.org/projects/StopBentleyGasExploration

Stop Bentley Gas Exploration Now!

Championed by: Gasfield Free Northern Rivers , Rainforest Information Centre
about the project

Stop Bentley Gas Exploration Now!

Gasfield Free Northern Rivers , Rainforest Information Centre

We are a diverse and concerned community who are standing up against unconventional gasfield exploration in the Northern Rivers.

Metgasco has returned to the Northern Rivers and now plans are underway to drill a 2 kilometre deep well in a tight sands gas deposit. This exploration project is located just 16 kilometres from Lismore, near Bentley.

Of course, not all of us can go out to Bentley for the protest, however we can show our support in other ways, through supporting newspaper and television advertisements, rallies and events in town, posting signs on our properties and at our place of business.

OK so let me make sure this is right for everyone to fully understand the history behind this mining project at Bentley.

A petroleum exploration license PEL 16 covering the Bentley area was originally granted in 1996 and owned by a company called Carlita Holdings Ltd. The director was a man called Peter Gray who has proven links with Eddie Obeid over the Cascade Coal Mine fiasco.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/investors-lost-a-fortune-as-30m-channelled-to-obeid/story-e6frgczx-1226521558532#mm-premium

http://www.afr.com/p/national/cascade_coal_list_of_investors_y7N8nxPVapS18KhFOQgn3O

The Mines Minister at the time was Ian Mcdonald who has been found guilty of serious corruption and also has links to Eddie Obeid.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/ian-macdonald-eddie-obeid-facing-charges-after-being-found-by-icac-to-have-acted-corruptly/story-e6frgczx-1226688614716

The exploration license was then renewed by Chris Hartcher who has been forced to resign and is also facing serious corruption allegations. He also granted Metgasco it’s first production lease, over a 1536 hectare area in the southern part of PEL 16 along with 21 others in Sept 2012.

http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/agribusiness/general-news/csg-given-the-green-light/2623507.aspx?storypage=0

The NSW Police Minister Mike Gallagher has also been forced to resign and is also facing serious corruption and electoral fraud allegations.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/icac-halts-inquiry-to-investigate-former-police-minister-mike-gallacher-20140506-zr5p4.html

And yet despite several ongoing ICAC investigations with referrals to the DPP for criminal prosecutions pending the NSW Police and the new Minister for Energy and Resources Anthony Roberts are still proceeding to send up to 1,000 RIOT squad and tactical response police to break a community protest in a community that has overwhelmingly voted against having a CSG industry in their region.

What country are we living in again ?

http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/rumours-rife-anti-csg-protest-camp-will-be-met-wit/2254125/

Re Proctor's whinging dummy spitting -

Anonymous  May 4, 2014 at 6:17 PM

"HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA 
Submission by
Broome Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc
Contact
Broome Chamber of Commerce


..................Page 4



For example, the following recent events, inter alia, are cited as having had a major impact on the
economy of Broome and the West Kimberley-



 The global financial crisis and the high Australian Dollar have impacted the tourism and
hospitality industries with substantially decreased air traffic and accommodation demand although
clearly Broome is not alone here;



 The ad hoc political decision of the former Commonwealth Government to suspend live
cattle exports to Indonesia has forced many pastoralists to the verge of bankruptcy and to 
sell pastoral properties; and



 The decision of WOODSIDE not to proceed with the LNG development at James Price Point
north of Broome. 


That decision has caused many local businesses that had geared up to
supply goods and services to Woodside to contract, close or relocate businesses away from
Broome. It has also had a material impact on the demand for training and apprenticeships. 
Each of these events coupled with the underlying permanent high cost of living in the region has a
flow on effect with the loss of business confidence, skilled workers and negativity towards the future
of the region****."

.....

"Broome is a natural location to host a Logistics Cluster (Hub) that will be a central tenet in driving
future economic growth for the region. 



The three components of a successful Hub are-



A deep water port



•        The Port of Broome is ideally located as it is the only deep water, largely sheltered,
 port in the Kimberley. It can manage the larger vessels that include cruise ships, 
livestock carriers, barging and various oil and gas supply vessels and fuel tankers.

 

•        The availability of land controlled by the Port of Broome has encouraged oil and gas
companies to establish supply bases there and in recent months as the Shell Prelude
 project develops other supply companies are seeking to establish operations in the
 region.

 

      Not withstanding the above, industry players note the need for further wharf
capacity at the Port, that on some estimates could be as high as $425 million, but
the State Government has NOT SHOWN SUPPORT for such development. 
If this is the 
case the Port of Broome could be a candidate for privatisation to facilitate such 
investment.

 International Airport.......................

Road Transport network........................

........




      Going through the entire thing there was nothing about activists - it was all about lack of government support, cost of living, shortage of skilled labour, remoteness etc etc.



So what bought on the dummy spit all of a sudden?

And why activists?


Magistrate questions political agenda in CSG protest charges | Northern Star

Magistrate questions political agenda in CSG protest charges | Northern Star

Why else would police risk cost orders against them, drive a prosecutor up from Sydney to run the matters, arrange police witnesses to travel from Sydney, all for an innocuous minor traffic matter. It is in that context that the realistic suspicion of political interference arises

Sounds so familiar, we have our own set of vexatious politically motivated police here in WA. Came once and traumatised our whole community and what was really funny they thought they could come back a year later and do the same to us. We did'nt turn up and waited for them to return to Perth, than we had lots of fun stopping all kinds of progress, from communication towers, work sites, on the roads and at their places of accommodation and offices. So great to see a Magistrate who is just,  who will not be brought and can clearly see the very scary militarisation of our public police force into corporate mercenaries. It is happening to so many Australian communities across this nation. People who are standing up for their community, country and culture are now starting to understand who really operates this country who is really driving the agenda. The corporations are and if you do not like what they are doing or you object then expect a visit from the state controlled lackeys of the cop orates.

The day the climate movement shifted gear in Australia | CounterActCounterAct

The day the climate movement shifted gear in Australia | CounterActCounterAct



It didn’t really rate much of a mention. A small local piece on the regional New South Wales news a couple of days ago, about the biggest day in court Narrabri had ever seen. 83 people were arrested in a single day on the 31^st March in a significant action that involved the occupation of Whitehaven’s proposed mine expansion. In court on the 29^th April, Over 100 people who had put their bodies on the line in recent months to stop destructive fossil fuel industries operating in the Leard and Pilliga forests were heard in court. Around 60 people received $300 fines for minor trespass charges. Some people are contesting charges. I am one of them.

I was proud to stand that day with doctors and teachers, with retirees and students. I was proud to stand with Bill Ryan, 92 year old Kokoda veteran. I was proud to share a paddy wagon with Ros Druce, local farmer who has bravely taken the step of being the first Maules Creek resident to be arrested defending her land. I was proud to stand with Marion Gevers, mother of Jonathan Moylan who decided it was time to stand up to this industry too, and support her son and the campaign. I was proud to stand with the young university students from Canberra who took a big leap out of their comfort zone by participating in this action.

Whilst there have been mass arrest actions in Australia before we are seeing a paradigm shift. By my estimate, well over half of the people arrested on March 31^st were first timers. It was the first time a local farmer, Ros Druce, had been arrested. We had elders like Bill Ryan. We had doctors, nurses and teachers. We had people who were hoping not to get arrested but knew the risks. We stopped work for a day on a massive construction site despite significant police and security resources being deployed against us. And we did it peacefully and with dignity. People involved now have a powerful story to share with friends and family who will very likely support their brave actions. Without mainstream media giving this significant groundswell the attention it deserves it is up to us to tell our stories.

The police are playing hard ball now. At the action they arrested the media crew, our police liaison contact and went in early to grab people they knew could be good spokespeople, or support others in the action.

The environmental movement is kicking off down under | Red Pepper

The environmental movement is kicking off down under | Red Pepper



On 31 March more than 2,000 people responded to a call to ‘go back to the roots of democracy’ and take direct action to protect their land, water and future from a corrupt government and a reckless company. Last year, people from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales celebrated a win over Metgasco, when the drilling company withdrew its plans to start fracking in the area. Metgasco came back – but after declaring their region ‘CSG (Coal Seam Gas) Free’, the people were ready this time. With a protectors’ camp now set up and hundreds based there permanently, roads blocked with a tripod and people taking shifts chaining themselves to concrete barrels, the expected drilling machinery still hasn’t shown up. 

Woodside, Barnett agree on Browse base

Thursday, 1 May 2014

Noel Dyson

http://www.energynewspremium.net/storyview.asp?storyid=801796587&sectionsource=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ENP+01052014&utm_content=ENP+01052014+CID%5F45aa9724d3179701ae7ca127881a85e9&utm_source=Campaign+Monitor&utm_term=Woodside+Barnett+agree+on+Browse+base

A SUPPLY base being established to support the floating LNG processing of Browse Basin gas looks more likely, with Woodside managing director and CEO Peter Coleman saying he supports it.

Putting a supply base in Western Australia was one of the conditions Premier Colin Barnett put on the state renewing the portion of the retention leases covering those gas fields that are within WA waters.

The rest of the retention leases are in Commonwealth waters.

Barnett sensationally told the recent Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association conference in Perth that if the Browse joint venturers wanted the retention leases renewed they had to commit to a supply base in WA and a domestic gas allocation.

Speaking after Woodside’s annual general meeting yesterday Coleman said the discussions the consortium had held with the WA government had been positive.

“We’ve had every indication that we’ll be able to work out all our issues with the state,” he said.

Coleman said Woodside had shared Barnett’s disappointment that an onshore LNG processing plant for Browse had not been feasible.

“We just had longer to get used to it,” he said.

Coleman said he too would like to see both the marine and helicopter bases needed to support the FLNG set up in WA.

“The premier has expressed a clear desire for a supply base to be in WA, we would support that,” Coleman said.

“Our first preference is to look for appropriate sites in WA, both for supply vessels and for helicopter operations.

“The Northern Territory is competitive to that but it’s not our first preference.”

However, Coleman is also keen to avoid the sort of difficulties Woodside encountered when it first considered putting an LNG plant on James Price Point in the WA Kimberley to process the Browse gas.

“Wherever we go we want to be welcomed by the community,” he said.

“We need to work with the state on how is the best way to work with communities to make sure the supply base is developed in the right way.”

In other words, if the state wants to keep the base in WA it has to smooth the way.

The NT has proven particularly adept at quieting community concerns when it comes to securing projects. Ichthys is proof of that.

There also seems to be some agreement on a domestic gas allocation, although Coleman said he wanted it to be “a business to business solution”.

'Straight From The Horse's Mouth': Former Oil Exec Says Fracking Not Safe

'Straight From The Horse's Mouth': Former Oil Exec Says Fracking Not Safe



In a message “straight from the horse’s mouth,” a former oil executive on Tuesday urged New York state to pass a ban on the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, saying, ‘it is not safe.’

In this March 25, 2014 photo, a machine mixes sand and water, left, before it is pumped underground during a hydraulic fracturing operation at an Encana Corp. well pad near Mead, Colo. (AP/Brennan Linsley)

“Making fracking safe is simply not possible, not with the current technology, or with the inadequate regulations being proposed,” Louis Allstadt, former executive vice president of Mobil Oil, said during a news conference in Albany called by the anti-fracking group Elected Officials to Protect New York.

Up until his retirement in 2000, Allstadt spent 31 years at Mobil, running its marketing and refining division in Japan and managing Mobil’s worldwide supply, trading and transportation operations. After retiring to Cooperstown, NY, Allstadt said he began studying fracking after friends asked him if he thought it would be safe to have gas wells drilled by nearby Lake Otsego, where Allstadt has a home. Since that time, he’s become a vocal opponent of the shale oil and gas drilling technique.

“Now the industry will tell you that fracking has been around a long time. While that is true, the magnitude of the modern technique is very new,” Allstadt said, adding that a fracked well can require 50 to 100 times the water and chemicals compared to non-fracked wells.

He also noted that methane, up to 30 times more potent of a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, is found to be leaking from fracked wells “at far greater rates than were previously estimated.”

Bentley bockade

▶ Anzac Day at Bentley Blockade 2014 - YouTube



The protectors at Bentley Blockade held a wonderful service to commemorate Anzac Day and highlighted the real values that Australians hold dear and are prepared to fight for. 


If care for your land, water and future, do share widely and GET THEE TO BENTLEY

Produced by GasfieldFree Northern Rivers

www.gasfieldfreenorthernrivers.com

The Battle of Bentley Blockade: The Art of the Political Landscape

The Battle of Bentley Blockade: The Art of the Political Landscape

The anti CSG movement has taken a massive and significant quantum leap in the last few weeks with the emergence of the Bentley blockade. Both the social canvas and the political landscape is being radically re-invented on a scale unseen in the history of the environmental movement in Australia.

What began about a month ago with a small roadside camp of a few tents and tarpaulins and about 15 – 20 organisers and people on site has, in just a short space of time, become the largest, most well organised environmental action ever seen in this country.

The Battle of Bentley Blockade: The Art of the Political Landscape

The Battle of Bentley Blockade: The Art of the Political Landscape

The anti CSG movement has taken a massive and significant quantum leap in the last few weeks with the emergence of the Bentley blockade. Both the social canvas and the political landscape is being radically re-invented on a scale unseen in the history of the environmental movement in Australia.

What began about a month ago with a small roadside camp of a few tents and tarpaulins and about 15 – 20 organisers and people on site has, in just a short space of time, become the largest, most well organised environmental action ever seen in this country.