Broome blockade reaches 100 day milestone

Media Release
The Wilderness Society (WA) Inc.
14 September 2011

Further arrests today as Woodside breaks promise

The Wilderness Society has congratulated the Broome community for achieving a major milestone in their brave defence of the natural, social and cultural heritage values of Broome and the west Kimberley.

In the face of incredible daily pressure and tactics from police and Woodside, the community has maintained what is now a nationally and internationally recognised and supported protest.

Wilderness Society (WA) spokesperson Peter Robertson said the blockade has resulted in over thirty arrests and is growing in strength and support.

“This morning, Woodside promised blockaders that they would not be working today. However they broke this promise and tried to commence work, resulting in yet more arrests.

“It is very troubling that the state and Federal governments are allowing Woodside to continue to damage and destroy the local environment, including threatening newly heritage-listed dinosaur footprint sites, despite the project not having either state or Commonwealth environmental approval.

“It should not be left to local communities to protect their environments, communities and livelihoods from destructive projects that have not even completed their impact assessment processes.

“Once again we call on Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to immediately step in and order Woodside to cease work pending the completion of studies on the impacts of the project on endangered species, marine wildlife, heritage listed dinosaur tracksites, and the social and economic impacts on surrounding communities.”

Further comment:
Peter Robertson – 0409 089 020