Kimberley LNG hub at Quondong or James Price Point? What's the truth?

Redhand queries whether it is James Price Point that is the focus of the proposed location of the Kimberley LNG gas hub, or is it in fact Quondong Point?

Consider?

The Northern Development Taskforce Site Evaluation Report October 2008 set aside Quondong Point and did not include it in the 4 sites to be further considered on heritage, cultural, social and environmental grounds

The Worley Parsons Resources and Energy Site visit Report 20 November, 2008 (for the Department of Industry and Resources) showed 3 locations at James Price Point, the third and south location indicated the hub inland from Quondong Point.

The Environmental Protection Authority’s report Kimberley LNG Precinct Review of potential sites for a proposed multi-user LNG processing precinct in the Kimberley Region December 2008 interestingly refers to the James Price Point Area which covers about 20 kilometres of the coastline and “considers that a site towards the northern end of this area (between James Price Point and Flat Rock) may have less impact on the main fishing and camping areas between Quondong Point and James Price Point”.

The $1.5billion Agreement (between Traditional Owners Jabirr Jabirr, Goolarabooloo and KLC, the State Government and Woodside) last week was reported as an agreement to locate the hub at James Price Point but no specific details have been released to the media by any of the parties. Nor was there clarity about the area covered by the Agreement.

During the recent negotiation for that Agreement, Redhand alerted to the maps showing Woodside’s operations area, the maps dated 17 March 2009 indicated Quondong Point as the hub location.

At that time the Premier Colin Barnett denied that Quondong Point was to be used and that the focus was on James Price Point. (ABC news and radio 27 to 30 March 2009) reports.

Woodside’s 2008 Full Year Results Briefing by Don Voelte Managing Director and CEO 18^th February, 2009 on page 37 shows Google Earth Maps. Quondong Point has been incorrectly labelled as James Price Point. This is not an error. This is misleading information to the public and to Woodside’s shareholders and other stakeholders.

Quondong Point is at 17^o 34’ 41.59” S and 122^o 09’ 14.48” E and James Price Point is at 17^o 29’ 01.63” S and 122^o 08’ 30.20” E ?

Well you might say that a short distance of 12 kilometres makes little difference to the overall concept, the point is, are we being lied to? Where actually is the proposed location of the Kimberley LNG precinct? Quondong Point? Or James Price Point?

The Premier said it wasn’t Quondong on ABC Radio and Woodside’s CEO in his briefing to the market indicates it is despite incorrect place names on the maps, and publicity around last week’s Agreement doesn’t say. Who is telling the truth?

Don't Lose Heart

Like alot of people Red Hand has been very disappointed and somewhat dismayed by the news that the Traditional Owners have signed an Agreement in Principle in support of a gas precinct on the Dampier Peninsular. Red Hand believes that there are alot unanswered questions.

Given the fact that James Price Point currently has two over-lapping Native Title Claims Jabirr Jabirr and Goolarabooloo registered under the Native Title Act. How then did the Government, the spin doctors from Woodside or KLC understand who actually has the legal right to sign off on this country, if it is still pending in the courts for determination?

It was understood throughout the negotiation process that the decision making would be based on a consensus decision making model not a majority vote. This was preferred to ensure that process would not be railroaded, open to political manipulation or stacked by certain families. Why then was this meeting conducted on majority rules principles?

Is it true that one major claimant group walked from the meeting refusing to take part in the vote?

Is it true that during the voting process at this meeting certain people openly abused and intimidated other participants?

Is it true that many of the participants had no legitimate rights to be at this meeting as they are not on the existing Native Title Claims but are signatories to other Claim areas on the Peninsular?

Who are the signatories to this document?

Is it true that there was no Legal representative at this meeting to provide legal advice or over see the counting of votes?

Is it true that nothing has been actually signed?

Is it true that the Agreement document is still being drafted?

What is the actual location or area over which this purported Agreement necessitates?

How can KLC honestly represent the current Claimants in the Native Title Tribunal if they are actively working to sell the very same country?

Will the minutes, list of participants and the outcome of this meeting be available to the public or will it require application under Freedom of Information Legislation to access to this information?.

Red Hand has never wanted to get involved in the Indigenous politics of this issue because the focus has always been the protection of the environment and Standing Up for the Planet. However, Redhand believes that a lot of people have been greatly disheartened over the events of the past week and the misinformation and lack lustre media reports.

Don’t give up. It will be a long hard struggle to educate, inform and convince people that industrialisation of the Kimberley Coast is not an option. In ten years time, water will be far more valuable than gas. You can live without gas, but not water, just ask the people on the east coast!

Hands Off Country Stand Up for the Planet

Agreement on Kimberley Coast LNG Project Edges Closer

Mathew Murphy
April 10, 2009

A DEAL believed to have been struck between key stakeholders may bring a multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas hub for the West Australian coast a step closer to reality.

In a speech to the Melbourne Mining Club, federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson flagged that an announcement regarding a deal in principle between Woodside, the Western Australian Government and the Kimberley Land Council was imminent.

A March 31 deadline, set by WA Premier Colin Barnett, passed without resolution with concerns at the time still surrounding key aspects of the benefits package to the traditional owners, including the timing of those benefits over a 30-year period.

A subcommittee of the Kimberley Land Council is due to report back to the wider group next Wednesday with many hoping the traditional owners will sign off on the deal the same day.

Mr Ferguson told the Melbourne Mining Club: "This is a project of vital importance for the future economic and social empowerment of indigenous communities in the Kimberley. Equally it is a project of national and state significance that would generate jobs, exports, revenue and economic growth for the benefit of all Australians."

Under the proposal, LNG from the Browse Basin would be processed at James Prince Point, 60 kilometres north of Broome. The basin contains more than a third of Australia's known offshore gas reserves. But environmentalists and some local Aborigines say the gas plant should not be built on the fragile Kimberley coastline.

Mr Barnett has pushed hard to strike a deal with the traditional owners after Japanese gas producer Inpex abandoned its $15 billion bid in September to build a gas plant amid uncertainty over a site. He has staked his political leadership on the Woodside deal, declaring he would not allow another big development to fall over "on his watch".

Walmadany Concert for Heritage

Thousands thronged to the Town Oval in Broome, Kimberley, Western Australia on Friday night at the Walmadany Concert for Heritage, to join and sing and dance for heritage. The message for the world is Broome does not want LNG gas processing on our coastline or country. This message is not just to the gas proponents, but to governments, to industry, to multi-national corporations. The people in our small community are not just saying hands off country. Last night they sang and danced to protect heritage, culture and country, for the planet, for their families, for their future and for the children. Gas proponents and governments would do well to listen to the people, to everyone.

Joseph Roe Lawkeeper and Custodian Goolarabooloo welcomes John Butler.

A brilliant celebration of heritage, family and community guided by the Pigram Brothers, thank you.

www.pigrambrothers.com.au

Please Don't Sell Country

The social and emotional impacts of the systematic dislocation of Broome’s community.

The Proposed establishment of Mtpa 25 Gas Hub is already having distressing, social and overwhelming emotional ramifications on your community and on your country.

Hands Off Country has been sitting back for a few weeks, in order to try and understand what was actually happening to your community.

Although Red Hand’s observations are not surprising they are well concerning. The industrial forces’ manoeuvring tactics and so called consultations’ techniques are having a tsunami effect over the Broome community. People are already in distress, families and family groups are being divided; there is intimidation, disengagement of key stakeholders, lots of misinformation, lack of correct information and even aggression.

Social and emotional impacts will never be quantified by social impact studies; you can never measure the ramifications that puts father against son, brother against brother or people working against each other’s wishes within a once harmonious community.

The current social impact assessment study is being undertaken by people who have no connection to your community, who have no understanding of your true community values, your heritage, your history or insight into the fears you hold for country, community and your families. Nor will they delight in your hopes you hold for your future. These studies cannot be undertaken effectively or efficiently when you do not know what door to knock, whose door to knock and what is the right door to knock. Information will never be given freely to strangers. What will be the starting point of such a study, do you start from the homeless, the level of street violence, lack of affordable housing and the mental anguish and substance abuse that is happening across your community, within all walks of life?

Elderly Traditional Owners (known as TO’S) are under enormous pressure with the mirror and bead games, they are forced into playing. Their health and spiritual wellbeing are being compromised as people play political games with the last years of their lives. Heritage and cultural custodians’ concerns are whitewashed, whilst key stakeholders are being excluded from the know.

Currently, there are people morally and ethically challenged over the conflict between their personal and employment interests. Now more than ever in history you can’t afford to have this excuse I was just doing my job any longer.

These dilemmas are accumulating because people are understanding that this is not just about protecting country, this is about saving the planet (one very small corner of it) and the strong survival instinct you all hold as humans beings to ensure you do leave some places in the world free of industrial crap.

Yes the battle lines are drawn straight through the heart of this community. Rich are pushing for more riches and the poor are still trying to seek basic services. You have people who are deeply affected by this proposal, you have young visionaries who are articulate and have the concept of the bigger picture being cut down like tall poppies. You have groups not sharing information with each other because of legal ramifications or personal ego trips.

Nookanbah was about people protecting country and cultural heritage with their lives. Land Councils grew out of this type of non-violent direct action, people’s actions. They are now acting like real-estate agents willing to sell land, the most precious thing that binds Indigenous people together, culture, heritage, language and their only true sense of belonging, country.

We have got a young population within the township who have not been given equal access to training and education, like those in other parts of Australia. When provided, this would ensure they will participate in the existing hospitality, eco-tourism, pearling, fishing, supermarkets and other industries. What makes you think they can participate now in this new industry? The youth are angry and this will bubble to the surface, displacement, detachment and alienation that your youth are already feeling in your community will intensify. The community’s children will never be able to afford their own home and this gas hub will not be the answer to their prayers or meet any of their basic needs.

The processes currently being employed to ensure that this proposed gas hub goes ahead has been nothing short of thuggery, people are being bribed, bullied, back-stabbed, sidelined, violated, compromised and are left with little or no capacity to defend. Meanwhile, Woodside and the State Government are sitting back. Rest assured that the divide and conquer rule lives on.

The community is beginning to feel like it’s been deliberately kept in the dark, lied to and manipulated, with half truths and blatant lies. The community has been led to believe that James Price Point will be the focus of this precinct and would operate within a 3,000 hectare operational site. According to some recent maps, Woodside’s plans are to base the Mtpa 25 Gas plant directly on Quondong Point and the precinct will sit within 6,000 – 8,000 hectares.

The Broome Shire Council resolved to organise a Broome community forum to inform the community of all the pros and cons that this proposal would have on the Broome community. It has been deferred. Reasons being that major players were unable to attend and so the forum would not have achieved the outcomes the Shire sought, the full picture. If this project is as beneficial as you are being led to believe then surely this forum and the opportunity it presented for all stakeholders would have been an unique opportunity to present the case. This forum is greatly needed now, not in the future when you will not have the same opportunities to make an informed decision before a green light is given by external parties.

In true Broome style, your special community has the ability to pull together the fragile strings that bind its residents, past families and children of the future, together. You will see this at Walmadany Concert for Heritage, Male (Town) Oval in Broome on Friday night 27 March, 2009

The real social ramifications can never be studied. One thing is for sure, you will not have access to beautiful country, resourceful fishing grounds, fresh-air, clean water and nor will you feel the joy of sharing country.

Hands Off Country, Stand Up for the Planet,
(Sorry no pretty pictures with this blog)

Singing for Country

This song was composed and sung by Jude Bales who has strong connections to the Kimberley.

Transcript following soon:

Hands off country

Barnett to Open Helicopter Port at the Broome International Airport,

On Thursday, the 26^th March, at 12 noon. Barnett will be in Broome to open helicopter port at the Broome International Airport.

Apparently, the Broome International Airport Management are frantically ringing around town, seeking traditional owners to welcome Barnett into country.

In additional, there are five Woodside Maps being currently circulating around.

Map 1. Operations Only

Map 2. Operations and Construction

Map 3. Full Expansion, Operations Only

Map 4. Full Expansion, Operations and Construction

Map 5. LNG Precinct – Entire Precinct

However, Redhand questions whether these maps are a red heron, circulated to discredit both the indigenous and environment groups! Should we view these maps with a grain of salt? Although, the maps are labelled Woodside the format and legends appear very similar to Department of Planning and Infrastructure maps!.

Hands Off Country has sighted Map 1 and 2 which clearly shows that the Operations and Construction site for this 25 Mtpa Gas Plant will not be located at Walmadan (James Price Point) but at Murrjal (Quondong Point).

The entire precinct will stretch from Biningankuny (Coulomb Point Nature Reserve) to Kardilakan Jajal (Barred Creek) with the estimated 6000 – 8000 square hectares not the 1000 – 3000 hectares we all have been lead to believe. According to the maps sighted: up to seven trains will be operated, a main road cut through from the Derby Highway, desalinations plants, seven kilometres of jetty and break water constructions. Once, Red Hand has a bloggerable size copies of these maps, they will be posted.

Meanwhile, the local quarry has been asked by Woodside for a quote on 2 million tons of road base and 80 thousand tons of rock.

Redhand's speculative Timeline

Friday, 27th March 2009

Walmadany
Concert for Heritage

and while we're dancing and singing for country on Town Oval, the Traditional Owners may sign off an Agreement with the Western Australian State Government

31st March, 2009

Premier Colin Barnett will announce an
Agreement to take everything he wants and more for a gas precinct
and on

Thursday, 9 April, 2009
Woodside announcement on their decision to pipe to and process gas on the Kimberley coast.
Is this to avoid media scrutiny?

Good Friday 10 April, 2009
The media is quiet and a dead news story in the coming week.

Easter Tuesday 14 April, 2009
Government employees still on Easter holiday.

Wednesday 15 April,2009
Battle lines are drawn.

Walmadany Concert for Heritage

Broome Friday 27th March, 2009 on Town Oval

ALAN PIGRAM, BROOME MUSICIAN: You think money can fix your problems, you'll say "Yes". If you think your culture and lifestyle is what's needed to be preserved, then - and at no cost, sold, well then, you will say "No".


.....................and local musicians are planning a concert to send a clear message to the Premier.

STEPHEN PIGRAM: We're just not gonna sit back and let him ride roughshod over our country, basically. And we're just gonna make as many people as we can aware around Australia, around the world, that this is a place that shouldn't be tampered with.

Sourced from ABC TV Stateline 13 March, 2009

Australia Unveils Draft Emissions Trading Scheme Legislation

There was a flurry of media activity yesterday and today ahead of the release of the Australian Government's Emissions Trading Scheme draft legislation, which was unveiled a short time ago. (Skip to legislation outline)

Last night the Greens and Coalition formed an alliance in regards to a senate inquiry into the Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Yesterday, Professor Ross Garnaut, who is the government's climate change advisor, told Four Corners that he is disappointed with the scheme. Professor Garnaut said industries that are the highest emitters of greenhouse gas have had too much influence over the scheme and that the Government's emissions reduction targets are too low.

The Australian coal industry took the opposite stance, crying foul, saying it had been unfairly excluded from receiving free emissions permits - even though it will receive hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation from the Federal Government. Former treasurer Peter Costello has said the Government should reconsider the ETS in the light of the economic crisis. Malcolm Turnbull would prefer to see a start date of 2012 and Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce said he could not see how the legislation would pass.

The ETS is rapidly shaping up to be the issue that defines the Rudd Government's time in power due to its far reaching implications for Australia and for that matter, the world.

However, with all the debate over the ETS, something that not many politicians appear to be keeping in mind according to some green groups is every minute of every day, greenhouse gases are being spewed into the atmosphere at an ever increasing rate; pushing humanity ever closer towards a point of no return from catastrophic climate change. Some say that we've already arrived at that point and that the time for debate is over and radical action from government is needed immediately.

Draft Emissions Trading Scheme Legislation Summary

After months of criticism and heated debated from all corners, the draft legislation for the Emissions Trading Scheme has finally been released and as was expected, the Government has adhered closely to its recent Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme white paper. The following is a brief, simplified outline of the 392 page Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill 2009 document:

- The Act will set up a scheme to reduce pollution caused by emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

- The scheme will begin on 1 July 2010, and operate on a financial year basis.

- The scheme is administered by the Australian Climate Change Regulatory Authority.

- A person who is responsible for greenhouse gas emitted from 4 the operation of a facility must surrender one eligible emissions unit for each tonne of carbon dioxide equivalence of the gas.

- A person who imports, manufactures or supplies synthetic greenhouse gas must surrender one eligible emissions unit for each tonne of carbon dioxide equivalence of the gas.

- A person who imports, produces or supplies eligible upstream fuel must surrender one eligible emissions unit for each tonne of carbon dioxide equivalence of the potential greenhouse gas emissions embodied in the fuel.

- Each of the following units are eligible emissions units:
(a) Australian emissions units issued under this Act;
(b) certain Kyoto units;
(c) certain non-Kyoto international emissions units.

- Most Australian emissions units will be issued as the result of an auction.

- A national scheme cap limits the total number of auctioned Australian emissions units.

- Some Australian emissions units may be issued free of charge or for a fixed charge.

- Australian emissions units are transferable.

The Emissions Trading Scheme timetable from this point according to the Department of Climate Change's web site at the time of publishing:

March to April 2009: Phase 3 consultation of exposure draft legislation
May 2009: Bill introduced into Parliament
June 2009: Government aims to achieve passage of bill by Parliament at this time
3rd quarter 2009: Act enters into force; scheme regulator established
2010: Emissions trading scheme will commence

While high polluting industries have continually raised the spectre of massive job losses as a result of the implementation of the Emissions Trading Scheme and in spite of the global economic crisis, Australians still appear to be worried about the issue of global warming impacts. According to a survey of 1,400 people commissioned by The Climate Institute, 78 percent indicate concern over climate change. Supporters of renewable energy have said that the economic and climate crisis actually provides a great opportunity for Australia to restructure, a "green new deal", turning jobs with high polluters into careers in clean energy.

James Price Point, Fragile Pindan Tableland

Pindan is a collapsible silty-sand or clayey-sand soil that occurs extensively in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and is typically red in colour. James Price Point, the proposed location for the LNG Gas Hub will be basically built on a Pindan tableland. Pindan is usually considered deleterious, but many pindan display a self-cementation property upon dryback during construction, with a substantial strength gain in dry moisture conditions which was thought to be due to the bridging effect of clay in the pindan. This strength is lost upon re-wetting. The use of pindan sand-clay presents particular problems where it could be subject to dynamic or vibrating loads such as foundations for large motors and generators, since these could destroy the clay bridges when the material is dry and cause a collapse. Collapse potential can be minimised by ensuring that the pindan is compacted to a high asdensity as possible (100% standard MDD), but cannot be avoided entirely. The material may well still densify (and strain) after construction and continued exposure to the vibrating load.

The interests we are up against are MASSIVE

The following email was send to Redhand from John John
The interests you are up against are MASSIVE. You need to make sure that you know who you are going up against and get SMART with your campaigning.

Research is important, so is developing a strategy to win support from people not just in WA, but the world over.

Here are some things to look at VERY CLOSELY and consider carefully how you are going to respond.

1. Major Companies behind Gas Project
http://www.karoongas.com.au/Projects/OffshoreBrowseBasin/tabid/55/Default.aspx
http://www.conocophillips.com.au/business/developments/index.htm

2. Key People you should look at behind the Project - Research their histories
http://www.karoongas.com.au/AboutUs/CorporateInformation/tabid/57/Default.aspx
http://www.conocophillips.com.au/About/index.htm

3. Key Office Locations
http://www.karoongas.com.au/ContactUs/tabid/69/Default.aspx
http://www.conocophillips.com.au/Contact/index.htm

4. Other Research Resources

Book: Indigenous Peoples: Resource Management & Global Rights

Book Description
Rapid industrial development and urban growth increasingly threaten indigenous peoples and their ways of life. As a result, a grassroots movement is spreading among indigenous cultures, and the 1992 Rio Earth Summit catalyzed a UN legal investigation. Indigenous Peoples challenges the assumption that these processes are empowering indigenous peoples in tangible ways by examining the ongoing work, and offers a detailed analysis of the legal, political and institutional implications. This volume is an engaging study of the issues involved in indigenous peoples' rights.
• http://www.amazon.com/Indigenous-Peoples-Resource-Management-Global/dp/905166978X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234057610&sr=1-1

Book: Rethinking Resource Management: Justice, Sustainability and Indigenous People

Book Description
This book offers students and practitioners a sophisticated and convincing framework for rethinking the usual approaches to resource management. It uses case studies to argue that professional resource managers do not take responsibility for the social and environmental consequences of their decisions on the often vulnerable indigenous communities they affect. It also discusses the invisibility of indigenous people' values and knowledge within traditional resource management. It offers a new approach to social impact assessment methods which are more participatory and empowering. The book employs a range of case studies from Australia, North America and Norway.
• http://www..amazon.com/Rethinking-Resource-Management-Sustainability-Indigenous/dp/041512333X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234057610&sr=1-3

Harry the Hermit Crab at James Price Point

Meet Harry the Hermit crab as he searches for like-minded crabs and humans to assist him in his endeavors to keep greedy hands off country.

Vulnerable plant communities of James Price Point

The Gubinge tree usually stands, when fully grown, up to 6 to 7 metres in height. The Gubinge that grow on the cliff line at James Price Point are ancient trees, some as old as 300 years, but would stand no higher than one metre. In the misty season, when big blankets of mist cover this cliff face, very special and rare carnivorous plants can be found. Some of these carnivorous plants have not been formally identified or officially named.

Pixie, Daisy and Diver Go To James Prices Point

This video is to encourage all people to act in a peaceful, non-violent way. Everyone can be involved in hands on activism., It can take all forms, whether its environmental art, pointing out special areas, hanging banners, driving, using IT or just enjoying country.
This is a video of two young girls who spent their weekend exploring James Price Point , the proposed location for an LNG gas processing precinct on the Kimberley coast and standing up for the planet.


Filmed on the 4th and 5th January 2009.

Hands off country

Picturesque Price's Point

The storm clouds of concern and protest are gathering like the wet season clouds with rain and thunder. You can offer your support to:

wecansavethekimberley@ymail.com

Photos Australia Day weekend at James Price Point.

Hands off country

Unique Untouched Spectacular

This is how the Kimberley is promoted by Australia's North West Tourism see the back of the CEO's business card. The message is simple, preserve and promote the wilderness we are entrusted to look after.
Redhand travelled the road to James Price Point last weekend; the wet season here is truly spectacular.

Transcript:
"You'd think we were crossing the Red Sea."

Hands off country

Conoco, Karoon fire on Browse gas hunt

On the 26th the Western Australian were repoorting that ConocoPhillips and Karoon Gas Australia plan to this week spud the first well in a $150 million drilling program aimed at discovering the latest massive gasfield in the Browse Basin.

In what is shaping as a pivotal year for companies with Browse Basin acreage, operator ConocoPhillips (51 per cent) and Karoon (49 per cent) are using the Sedco-703 semi-submersible rig for a 200-day program, starting with the Poseidon-1 well.

The partners have plans for up to five wells, with each likely to cost $30 million. The partners have high expectations, given their WA-315-P permit is close to the 12 trillion cubic feet Ichthys gasfield discovered by Inpex and Total and near Woodside Petroleum’s fields, Torosa, Calliance and Brecknock, which are thought to contain about 18tcf.

Analysts have described the Browse Basin’s high strike rate as a case of not “if they find gas, but how much”. Karoon’s shares have risen sharply since bottoming at $1.64 in October in anticipation of the drilling program, and closed at $2.80 on Friday.

Although the company floated on the Australian Securities Exchange five years ago ostensibly as a coal-bed methane gas exploration company, the Browse Basin acreage and the fact ConocoPhillips is its partner has aroused investor interest.

The basin’s prospectivity has attracted most of the world’s big oil and gas companies, although the challenge of developing discoveries continues to be an industry concern. Given the high level of environmental concern about gas processing developments on the Kimberley coastline, the various Browse Basin acreage holders are increasingly considering either floating development options (like Royal Dutch Shell and Nexus Energy) or a tie-back to existing infrastructure.

Woodside will decide by the end of June whether to construct a pipeline to link its Browse Basin fields to existing liquefied natural gas plants on the Burrup Peninsula. ConocoPhillips already operates an LNG train in Darwin and has room to expand.

Should the WA Government’s proposed Kimberley LNG hub concept fail, then ConocoPhillips would be expected to follow the lead proposed by Inpex and pipe any Browse Basin gas to Darwin.

ConocoPhillips and Karoon are still years off being able to make a development decision, assuming that Poseidon-1 and subsequent wells strike commercial quantities of hydrocarbon.
With the State’s hard-rock industry closing mines and laying off thousands of workers, WA is hoping the oil and gas sector will provide some economic relief during the current upheaval by continuing its active exploration and development program.

Nexus, hard-hit by its failure late last year to secure Japanese trader Mitsui as a principal partner for its $1 billion Crux project, remains confident of securing a new investor this quarter in what is likely to shape as the precursor to a final investment decision for the liquids play.
Nexus owns 85 per cent of Crux, which contains proven and probable reserves of 75.2 million barrels of light oil, but wants to offload about half its stake to reduce its risk profile.
PETER KLINGER

Broome International Airport Environmental Vandalism

In 2008, the Broome International Airport built helicopter hangers on the salt marsh as you enter Broome. At the time of construction concerns were raised with the EPA about the pindan and the amount that had been dumped over the delicate and vital salt marsh, in order to lay foundations for this construction. This video clearly demonstrates the pindan erosion and the subsequent bleeding of the pindan over the salt marsh and into the mangrove eco-communities. Broome at its highest point is only 7 metres above sea level. This construction is on sea level and subsequently is incredibly vulnerable to the rising sea levels, because the mangrove community, (which they are killing) is the only barrier that is currently keeping the sea at bay. This is the beginning of the gas industry invasion into the Kimberley coast. Hands Off Country Stand up for the Planet

It's ridiculous that no study was done to determine if there would be damage done to the mangroves. The mangrove forests around Broome are vibrant ecological communities which form part of an ecotone between the land and the bay. Of all tropical mudflats studied Roebuck Bay has the greatest diversity and abundance of invertebrate life. Roebuck Bay is home to a variety of marine turtles, dugong, dolphins and a great diversity of fish. It is also a key location on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for migratory shorebirds - visited by 100s of thousands of birds every year. It's a global treasure and cries out for respect and conservation. Given the thoughtless damage to the mangroves, can anyone be trusted with a major development like a LNG hub in the same locality and environment? Comment from Save the Kimberley

Conserving Dampier Peninsula’s Vulnerable vine thickets

This is a photograph of a fully laden Gubinge (Terminalia ferdinandiana) taken at James Price Point last weekend. This fruit is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C in the world - 50 times that of the oranges. The Dampier Peninsula, located between Broome and Derby in the Kimberley region of WA, contains significant communities of native vine thickets, remnant of monsoonal rainforests more often restricted to the wetter parts of northern Australia.

Many species in the Peninsula’s thickets are located at the southern limits of their range. The vine thickets are renowned for their high biodiversity value and provide important habitat for native fauna and valuable food sources and cultural significance for Aboriginal people.

About 90% of the total 1,000 ha of thickets occurs on Aboriginal reserves and grazing leases, and over the past 10 - 15 years Indigenous communities have been engaged in the protection, harvesting and conservation of these vine thickets.

The vine thickets occur as discrete and discontinuous patches of dense semi-deciduous vegetation situated on the leeward slopes of coastal sand dunes. The patches increase in species diversity and structural composition progressively towards the northern end of the Peninsula and can range in size from a stand of several trees to a patch greater than 60ha. The network of patches ensures species migration and gene flow, and the loss and degradation of a single patch can leave isolated patches vulnerable to local species extinction.

These Vine thickets are already increasingly threatened by the combined effects of frequent hot wildfires, weed infestation, impacts of off-road driving, camping, and damage from cattle. The development of a proposed LNG Gas Hub at James Prices Point will definitely add to these pressures.

Dampier Peninsula’s vine thickets are recognised as Threatened Ecological Communities under State legislation, and are listed as ‘Vulnerable’, facing a high risk of total destruction in the medium to long term.

In 2005, the WA TEC Scientific Committee reassessed the plight of the vine thickets and recommended that the communities be upgraded to ‘Endangered’, which means that they face a very high risk of total destruction in the near future.

This is not the scrubby bush our Premier would want people to believe. To some, the vegetation on the Peninsular may appear dull and uninteresting, but to those who take the time to understand its complexities, it reveals a wealth of fascinating plant communities.