Kimberley LNG not a done deal

Despite the triumphalist tone of the Premier’s announcement on 15 April 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.

James Price Point - Government's preffered site for industrial development

The WA government is trying to downplay the impacts of this industrial proposal:
“This is not a sprawling industrial area. This is the most sophisticated level of industry - clean, high technology, highest possible environmental, technical and safety standards." (Premier Barnett, 15/4/07)

In response, The Wilderness Society’s Kimberley Campaigner Josh Coates said, “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.” 

“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 compounds deplete the environment’s ozone layer, contribute to global warming, and have a serious impact on health.”

What the in ‘principle agreement’ means

The Kimberley Land Council (KLC) representing Traditional Owners has clearly stated that the decision merely paves the way for cultural and environmental studies to be undertaken before the final agreement on the site may be given by Traditional Owners at the end of the year.

In the face of threats of compulsory land acquisition repeatedly made by WA Premier Barnett and previously described by the KLC as “negotiating with a gun to your head”  the Traditional Owners have ensured, “that Traditional Owners will continue to be part of the process for deciding the development that takes place on their land”.

The in-principle agreement is subject to:

• Detailed heritage assessments on the land around James Price Point carried out by the KLC and Traditional Owners.
• The environmental assessment under the EP and EPBC Acts;
• An Indigenous land use agreement.
  

The studies are expected to take up to seven months to complete.
(source: Kimberley Land Council media release 15 April 2009)

Environmental impacts

The environmentally outstanding Kimberley region does not currently have any comprehensive conservation plan in place. The region already faces a number of threats that need to be addressed. The Federal government is assessing the region for National Heritage listing.

The siting of a major industrial complex on the Kimberley coast would introduce more environmental threats, compromise the sustainable economic future of the region (e.g. tourism, well managed fisheries etc.) and may act as a trigger for more damaging developments to follow such as strip mining for bauxite. or polluting ‘downstream’ industrial plants such as the fertilizer or ammonia manufacturing associated with LNG development in the Pilbara.

Environmentally the Kimberley is the wrong place for this polluting industry - we cannot afford to jeopardise the future of the Kimberley's environment and communities.

In this day and age we should not be repeating mistakes and destroying the environment for the profit of multi-national corporations and unsustainable fly-in-fly-out jobs – we can protect the environment and create jobs. There are alternatives - we need investment in sustainable industries such as ecotourism and land management.

The James Price Point region is home to diverse vegetation and wildlife including sensitive monsoonal vine thicket communities. Photo, Josh Coates

To read a detailed examination of the natural and cultural values of the James Price Point region and the environmental impacts of the proposed LNG development click here.

Priority campaign

In view of its global significance and the serious chronic and emerging problems confronting the Kimberley, The Wilderness Society has decided to make the protection of the region’s natural values a high priority.

As always, The Wilderness Society will seek to work closely with the region’s Traditional Owners to ensure that improved conservation outcomes go hand in hand with improved outcomes for Indigenous communities.

What you can do to give the Kimberley a future

1. Sign our online petition: Protect the Kimberley wilderness from industrialistion

2. Please contact WA Premier Colin Barnett and Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett and ask that they ensure no industrialisation occurs in the most remote and unspoiled sections of the Kimberley coast - and that appropriate funding is directed as a matter of urgency to secure the future of the Kimberley’s outstanding natural and Indigenous cultural values.
 
The Hon Colin Barnett
Email: wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au
Mail: Premier Colin Barnett, 197 St George's Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Phone: (08) 9222 9888 - Premier's Office
Fax: (08) 9322 1213

The Hon Peter Garrett AM MP
Email: Peter.Garrett.MP@aph.gov.au
Mail: Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 7640
Fax: (02) 6273 6101