Kimberley LNG not a done deal

The Wilderness Society WA Inc.
Joint Media Release
16 April 2009

Despite the triumphalist tone of the Premier’s announcement last night of an ‘in principle’ deal between the State and Federal Governments and Kimberley Land Council regarding the proposed LNG industrial site at James Price Point north of Broome there is no chance of the project being approved for at least a year, if ever.

Wilderness Society Kimberley spokesperson Josh Coates said "While we respect the Kimberley Land Council and Traditional Owner’s decision to enter into an agreement that they consider to be in their best interests, there are a multitude of very serious environmental considerations yet to be addressed.”

“This development proposal will have to be examined on environmental grounds under both the WA Environmental Protection Act and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.” 

“If this industrial precinct were to go ahead the environmental impacts would be far reaching and very damaging to the natural and cultural values of the Kimberley. The fossil fuel development would require blasting and dredging of reefs, the clearing of significant pindan woodland and sensitive vine thicket communities and will impact heavily on species including Humpback whales and Bilbies. 

“It will also cause ongoing air and marine pollution and profoundly alter the world famous nature of the Kimberley. This is not a ‘clean’ industry, pollutants such as Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide deplete the environment’s ozone layer, contribute to global warming, effect climate change and have a serious impact on health.”

Conservation Council of WA director Piers Verstegen said, “The impacts of a new greenhouse gas intensive industry on climate change should be further considered as this development would make WA achieving greenhouse gas emission reduction targets virtually impossible.”

“While over 1 billion dollars over 30 years sounds like a lot of money the devil is often in the detail of these agreements and tying damaging industrial development to the provision of basic services such as education and housing sets a dangerous precedent.

“We have recently learned via questions in Parliament that there are 30 Indigenous tourism businesses in the Kimberley and over 500 Kimberley Indigenous people employed in tourism.  These are real jobs and the Premier’s industrialization plans threaten both existing tourism jobs and the future expansion of Indigenous tourism based on the unique and globally significant environmental and cultural values of the region.

“This issue is far from over and you can expect to see opposition to this environmentally damaging proposal continue to grow in coming months as the community begin to realize the impact this will have on the to-date un-spoilt natural icon that is the Kimberley”