Update: all the latest and more photos on our Facebook page
Protesters met Woodside contractors on the road to James Price Point north of Broome. A small group who got wind of the movement of bulldozers and other equipment formed a human chain across the road and delayed progress, and a protester chained himself to the bulldozer on it’s trailer.
Meanwhile a small car with no wheels appeared on the road further down the track and a steady stream of Broome locals joined Joe and Phillip Roe and Therasa, who are Traditional Owners, native title claimants and Law Boss for the area, in protecting Country from planned clearing.
Another protester replaced the first chained to the bulldozer and at time of writing was settling in for the night…
After herding off Woodside contractors on his camel this protester took a moment to enjoy the music
A ‘back of the ute’ concert from Dave Mann and Will Thomas, juggling and singing accompanied the firm but non-violent protest message and strong cross-cultural community spirit as Greens MLC Robin Chapple and a diverse cross section of Broome business owners and residents supported the road blockade and bulldozer lock on.
Woodside want to start clearing bush in the area they propose for a huge Gas plant. Protesters point out that this development is NOT APPROVED by the WA EPA, the WA environment Minister, the Federal Environment Minister, Woodside’s joint venture partners and not even at final investment decision point for Woodside itself. Compulsory acquisition of the land from the native title claimants is still on the table and is currently the subject of a legal challenge.
This development is clearly not approved by the Broome community and they were there to show that and stop the pre-emptive clearing of bushland.
THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES – gas could be processed offshore like Shell is doing or processed in the Pilbara where there is already established infrastructure. A port and plant at James Price Point would be environmentally and culturally damaging.
Read articles in the press:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/9594615/gas-protesters-block-woodside-vehicles/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/07/3237665.htm?section=justin
Photos:
- this little car held up Woodside contractors all day..
- Broome hero locked on under a bulldozer
- After herding off Woodside contractors on his camel this protester took a moment to enjoy the music
- Herding woodside contractors off country on a camel as musicians play on
- "STOP" pleads Theresa Roe, mother of native title claimant Joseph Roe.
- Police inspect the protester locked on under the Bulldozer. MURRANJI PHOTOGRAPHY 2011
- Corporate juggling of our future. MURRANJI PHOTOGRAPHY 2011
- Police reinforcements arrive. MURRANJI PHOTOGRAPHY 2011
- Theresa Roe, mother of native title claimant Joseph Roe, tells woodside workers “Take them back – please take them back today,” MURRANJI PHOTOGRAPHY 2011
- Theresa Roe, mother of native title claimant Joseph Roe addresses media. MURRANJI PHOTOGRAPHY 2011
- Greens MLC Robin Chapple supports the blockade MURRANJI PHOTOGRAPHY 2011
Video:
4 Comments
There is so much at stake. Thanks to you people holding the line there on the frontline.
my environmental mentor was a Durack of the Kimberley family and the Kings in Grass Castles family….. she taught me that the environment is a fragile place.. and it needs to protected from predators.. The meetings of the Landmark and woodside have agreed with this.. They are talking about setting up a Dinosauer museaum to protect the Dinosauer tracks at the proposed woodside LNG site on the Luurajarri trail that will be destroyed when the country is cleared for the LNG plant.. sentimental rubbish.. save the Kimberley from industrialisation and poisoning of the oceans and the mighty Fitzroy river.. fracking is now on the agenda.. god help the Kimberley…
Keep on fighting – we, the people of Sunraysia, fought the Victorian Government over a proposed toxic waste dump bordering 2 national parks. 2 years on, the people’s voice won
Good on you guys!!
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