Protect the Kimberley

[blue2u]

The following is from the protest organisation which is trying to protect the Kimberley from economic development such as the proposed James Price Point Gas Hub, see http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2012/10/08/3604814.htm. This is a pristine beach front location between Broome and Middle Lagoon/Cape Leveque.



Even if you don't live in WA I'd suggest signing the letter and if you are going there this year request a bumper sticker.

20,000 strong crowd in Fremantle support the Kimberley

What an amazing site- 20,000 people marching through Fremantle proudly showing their support for the Kimberley. Yesterday was an amazing day and such an inspiration to see the Western Australian community come together in support of such an important issue. Hopefully Colin Barnett was watching the news last night, because it was the strongest show yet that the people are against industrialisation of the iconic Kimberley.
 
Well we’re less than two weeks out from the election and the campaign is showing no signs of slowing down.
On Friday, Mark McGowan, the Opposition leader announced Labor’s plans for the Great North Kimberley Marine Park, encompassing 9000 kms of coast line in the Marine Park extending from King Sound in the West to Cambridge Gulf  in the East. As well as this fantastic news they also plan to protect prime Saw fish habitat in the Fitzroy River with a National Park, and relinquish bauxite mining leases in the Mitchel Plateau.

Both major parties have felt the momentum that this campaign has generated for real protection of the Kimberley’s stunning coastline. Many of you have been writing letters to MP’s and Opposition Candidates and signing petitions which has led to these fantastic outcomes and such a successful campaign- so thank you. It’s not over yet though, please share the link below with your friends, family and co-workers and get them to sign the Letter to the Premier and Opposition Leader  in support of the Great Kimberley Marine Park.
http://www.likenowhereelse.org.au/sign_the_letter.php

[fuji]

Letter signed and submitted.
Wayne

[doc evil]

Several questions on this (and yes I don't want to see the area destroyed) however, are they going to build on the beach........NO, are they building the plant in a "public" access area...........NO............all that you will "see" in an area "similar" to that pic is 4 pipes partially if not totally buried coming out of the ocean and then overland to the plant approx. 2km inland.

Yes it is an emotive debate but we need to see both sides of the coin..........

[FittedForRadio]

Several questions on this (and yes I don't want to see the area destroyed) however, are they going to build on the beach........NO, are they building the plant in a "public" access area...........NO............all that you will "see" in an area "similar" to that pic is 4 pipes partially if not totally buried coming out of the ocean and then overland to the plant approx. 2km inland.

Agree.

Next thing can be a ban to 4wd access, or a ban to vehicles not meeting Euro5 pollution levels, or a ban to vehicles with bullbars...

What about the trans-oceanic fiber optic cables, should we chop them when they arrive to the coast ? 

And... let me be a bit skeptic... who pays this campaign, who pays the bumper stickers ?   





I just have realized that I need a good rest and some holidays to get some distance from the everyday news... I'm in a "constant angry state"

[LeighC]

I too have views on James Price Point however I have a preference that not just this but other issues remain a-political.  Find a political issues forum

Some food for thought, if you are writing the letter where you reside outside WA, the Premier is not going to worry about your support for the state opposition leader.

I'm off the soapbox now.
 

[Wunderlust]

I too have views on James Price Point however I have a preference that not just this but other issues remain a-political.  Find a political issues forum

Some food for thought, if you are writing the letter where you reside outside WA, the Premier is not going to worry about your support for the state opposition leader.

I'm off the soapbox now.

Jeez, it really is about setting a precedence not a one off. Not just the short term jpp goal. What happens next? The long term strategy is to develop the newly discovered deposits under wa of gas and I work in the industry, I'd say no right out.

[sparksy]

Several questions on this (and yes I don't want to see the area destroyed) however, are they going to build on the beach........NO, are they building the plant in a "public" access area...........NO............all that you will "see" in an area "similar" to that pic is 4 pipes partially if not totally buried coming out of the ocean and then overland to the plant approx. 2km inland.

Yes it is an emotive debate but we need to see both sides of the coin..........

I flew over the site last week. Its not two Kms inland the site they are clearing right now is about 600m from the coast.





That area is public open space as its been a popular free camping area for years as well as a popular fishing spot.

Not to mention the 2km jetty they are planning to build on the beach.



We tried to drive up to the point as we have done before on what was a narrow track, that track is now a 10 metre "highway" and it appears that although it is not a closed road and is still open to the public (as it should be ) the road just before it comes back to the coast near the site has been graded in such a way that it floods easily and is impassable. I tried and it was over 2 foot deep.

Hopefully It wont go ahead. If youve ever visited the area the last thing you would want is for it to go the way of Karratha.

[Boxhead 71]

Righto, so where would you put it then? Some people don't want it on the beach, some like the look of rugged coastline and don't want it "spoilt", others like mangrove swamps. Or we could just stop development altogether. 

[Wunderlust]

Uuummm how about the pipeline down I karratha or Darin. Both are very feasible and reasonably priced. Inpex darwin pipeline is very lose. Not hard to run a parallel pipeline.

[SteveandViv]

Hmmm. I work for an Aboriginal corporation so I do have a few points on this and the only sensible point ,mentioned here is by Doc Evil.

Did you know that less than 3% of the locals have ever been there. Did you know that since the jetty's were put in down south the fish habitat has increased over 300% and the fishing became superb. Did you know Whales use the protection of Port Headland jetty to feed their calf's, not run into them. The sea bed is barren where they plan to put the jetty. Did you know they have to excavate 3 meters of soil from the site and store it 25 kays away and replace it once the 20 year plan is finished. Did you know they are building a small community for the workers so they do not have to FIFO and rules such as no High Vis after 4:30. Have you ever been to port head land, it is a hole as it was only ever a mining town. Broome has a chance to increase tourism with this as families are far more likely to come up to Broome for a holiday (Mums and Dads) than Headland. Rental prices will not be as bad as down south, they have releases over 3000 new property lots to cater for that.

Did you know Broome is doomed with out it because every one goes to other places these days . Did you know that 43% of business in Broome are on the edge of being Bankrupt.

If they go ahead and seal the road to Cape Leveque hoe cool will that be. Do you think it's fun to drive that road

Under 5% of people will ever see the site anyway, the free camping mentioned is Quongdon and well below James Price Point and will have no impact on those wishing to free camp here in Broome for the small amount of time they are here.

And I say all that and I still have not decided which way I will go. It's not my right. The locals are fighting about t, families are no longer talking. Pathetic Greenies are blocking the roads for all of us to go for a fish and they don't' even live here.

[krisandkev]

When we were there in 2011 we spoke to a few of the locals and it was interesting listening to their points of view.  Some were very passionate and vocal indeed!  But I must admit they all seemed to agree on one thing.  It is all about the money they are expecting and they do not seem too concerned about any environmental issues.  As one lady said to me, and I will not put the expletives in, ‘it is way down there and will not affect us.’ ‘But we want the money.’   Then someone else said they have all been forced into signing, warned that if they do not sign it will go ahead anyway and no one will get any money.   Yep, it is an emotive issue there.  I had to keep my opinions to myself.
But it is like all mining issues. Sure locals have an important say, but it is still our country, all of ours! So I hope the right decision is made. And when/if money flows into those communities we do not see what has happened in almost all of the other communities around the country.
Kevin

[olddigger]

Watching the TV coverage of this demonstration march, I pondered two questions:

How many of the protesters had ever been to the Kimberley, or ever will go . . .

And, how many of them had a job.

I imagine the percentage in both cases is very low.

Cheers,

[doc evil]

 

Yeah, rent a crowd...........

Majority of the "Green" protesters wouldn't know a tree if it fell on 'em...........

[Rob n Tab]

Should have stuck it in Derby Noone would have given a sh!t 

[Top.ender]

Hmmm. I work for an Aboriginal corporation so I do have a few points on this and the only sensible point ,mentioned here is by Doc Evil.

Did you know that less than 3% of the locals have ever been there. Did you know that since the jetty's were put in down south the fish habitat has increased over 300% and the fishing became superb. Did you know Whales use the protection of Port Headland jetty to feed their calf's, not run into them. The sea bed is barren where they plan to put the jetty. Did you know they have to excavate 3 meters of soil from the site and store it 25 kays away and replace it once the 20 year plan is finished. Did you know they are building a small community for the workers so they do not have to FIFO and rules such as no High Vis after 4:30. Have you ever been to port head land, it is a hole as it was only ever a mining town. Broome has a chance to increase tourism with this as families are far more likely to come up to Broome for a holiday (Mums and Dads) than Headland. Rental prices will not be as bad as down south, they have releases over 3000 new property lots to cater for that.

Did you know Broome is doomed with out it because every one goes to other places these days . Did you know that 43% of business in Broome are on the edge of being Bankrupt.

If they go ahead and seal the road to Cape Leveque hoe cool will that be. Do you think it's fun to drive that road

Under 5% of people will ever see the site anyway, the free camping mentioned is Quongdon and well below James Price Point and will have no impact on those wishing to free camp here in Broome for the small amount of time they are here.

And I say all that and I still have not decided which way I will go. It's not my right. The locals are fighting about t, families are no longer talking. Pathetic Greenies are blocking the roads for all of us to go for a fish and they don't' even live here.

Interesting comments Steve..couldnt agree more.... the only people I know in Broome who are against it are the ones who have made their money and want to shut the world out (not saying I dont blame them)..however I,d Like to add that after running a Tour company in Broome between 2002 and 2009 I was the only company that went to Prices Point and could count on 1 hand how many people let alone campers i have seen during that period...and for the record those prestine red cliffs that seem to impress all the enviromentalists and greenies where created through  continued overgrazing by pastrolists. Man Made Erosion...

[Top.ender]

The following is from the protest organisation which is trying to protect the Kimberley from economic development such as the proposed James Price Point Gas Hub, see http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2012/10/08/3604814.htm. This is a pristine beach front location between Broome and Middle Lagoon/Cape Leveque.



Even if you don't live in WA I'd suggest signing the letter and if you are going there this year request a bumper sticker.

20,000 strong crowd in Fremantle support the Kimberley

What an amazing site- 20,000 people marching through Fremantle proudly showing their support for the Kimberley. Yesterday was an amazing day and such an inspiration to see the Western Australian community come together in support of such an important issue. Hopefully Colin Barnett was watching the news last night, because it was the strongest show yet that the people are against industrialisation of the iconic Kimberley.
 
Well we’re less than two weeks out from the election and the campaign is showing no signs of slowing down.
On Friday, Mark McGowan, the Opposition leader announced Labor’s plans for the Great North Kimberley Marine Park, encompassing 9000 kms of coast line in the Marine Park extending from King Sound in the West to Cambridge Gulf  in the East. As well as this fantastic news they also plan to protect prime Saw fish habitat in the Fitzroy River with a National Park, and relinquish bauxite mining leases in the Mitchel Plateau.

Both major parties have felt the momentum that this campaign has generated for real protection of the Kimberley’s stunning coastline. Many of you have been writing letters to MP’s and Opposition Candidates and signing petitions which has led to these fantastic outcomes and such a successful campaign- so thank you. It’s not over yet though, please share the link below with your friends, family and co-workers and get them to sign the Letter to the Premier and Opposition Leader  in support of the Great Kimberley Marine Park.
http://www.likenowhereelse.org.au/sign_the_letter.php

I doubt that photo is of Prices Point...Cape Leveque maybe over 200 ks North...but then again if half the people that are protesting had ever been there they,d know that...

[krisandkev]

Photos of James Price Point when we were there in 2011.







On the road in, after the protesters,

[Isuzumu]

How do the campers and protestors get along? I will stay away if there is people annoying me, or what I should say is I do not like greenies.

[krisandkev]

This was at the turn off when we went in 2011, but there were no problems.  We just slowly drove through.  Not sure what is there now.  It is well worth it going in.  We were going to camp at Quandong Point, but it was too crowded and it was obvious that some of the campers had been there for a long time, not the 3 day limit the sign says!    Kevin

[Barry G]

There is no technical reason as I understand it that the gas couldn't be piped to Darwin.

And I heard on the radio news this morning that Gina wants to do mining exploration at ancient rock art sites on Cape York.

[Boxhead 71]

What, and have a pipe across the Kimberley?  What an eyesore! And whose land are you proposing to lay this pipe over or under or through? Oh no, the greenies would have a field day with that. It'd be just like that James Price Point thing remember? ..... oh,hang on...

[Barry G]

What, and have a pipe across the Kimberley?  What an eyesore! And whose land are you proposing to lay this pipe over or under or through? Oh no, the greenies would have a field day with that. It'd be just like that James Price Point thing remember? ..... oh,hang on...

Ocean pipe Boxhead.   
A very  interesting program on Background Briefing, Radio National.  Second part this week, first was last week.  A lot of detail about the issues involved, very well presented and views from various perspectives.  Worth a down load from the ABC web site for those interested more than just a 'flame war' about "greenies".

[trekkn]

me and my company are getting the largest drill in aus ready to drill up there

i have been lucky enough to camp and fish out there and many many other spots along the coast

i support the entire project

broome needs it and so does australia

this is the second project of this kind i have worked on and barrow island is a class a nature reserve and a operating oil field as well as LNG

[Boxhead 71]

G'day Baz. Not trying to be nasty, but what makes you think the greenies will let anyone put a pipeline through the ocean? They don't like "energy" companies, they don't like multi-nationals, they don't like big business, they won't obey laws regarding protesting, picketing or protecting workers from legally doing their job, and they don't like progress.

[SteveandViv]

Yeah, rent a crowd...........

Majority of the "Green" protesters wouldn't know a tree if it fell on 'em...........

Yep, 10000%. Total waste of air on those twits