Blog | Save The Kimberley

Competition winner – catalyst for change – letter writing

July 10th, 2011

A huge thanks to all of you who participated in our Catalyst for Change promotion.

Our first winner is ‘MW’ for her timely letter to Minister Burke, reprinted below. We have also reprinted a couple of other excellent entries (also with names changed to initials). We hope this will inspire more people to keep those letters flowing.

Winning entry:

Dear Minister,

I and a broad section of the Australian Community are absolutely sickened by the events that are taking place at the James Price Point gas hub site in the Kimberley’s. I have attached two pictures taken on the 5th July 2011 of Australian Police knocking over an 80 year old man who was peacefully protesting at the James Price Point gas hub site (You can see he is being protected by his son), the other one is of the same man being dragged away by his arms. I ask you, how can you let this behaviour go on ??

The arrest of many Traditional Owners of the land, especially while conducting a peaceful protest is nothing short of a crime in itself. This land has belonged to them for generations. The conduct of all parties involved ( WA Premier Barnett, Woodside, BP, Shell, BHP, Chevron) has resulted in an agreement between Woodside & the native title group, Including the ‘gun to the head’ of compulsory acquisition removing the possibility of free prior and informed consent and irregularities in who was able to vote, the incorrect belief of many eligible native title claimants that they thought not attending was taken as a ‘no’ vote. This behavior is nothing short of criminal.

Like many, many people I love the Kimberley for it’s beautiful untouched lands full of native flora and fauna, some still unknown. This sometime harsh countryside is one of the last truly untouched area’s of Australia and as such should be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

The traditional aboriginal custodians of this land wish to prevent the clearing of land including the removal of historical artefact’s and the desecration of important cultural sites. To suggest that their peaceful protesting is in fact destroying this area, is absurd. They are protesting to stop such an event happening.

The Kimberley community has been joined by others from across the country and the world who are united in the belief that this gas hub will destroy and pollute this area. I am also very concerned about the irreparable damage this will cause to the pristine marine environment, particularly the habitat of the largest population of humpback whales in the world.

I feel we must all respect the land in which we live, while also honoring the aboriginal culture which, is deeply embedded in this nation. There are definitely viable alternatives to the processing of Browse gas on the Kimberley coast. I’m sure you are well aware of those alternatives, in particular processing the gas on a floating plant or piping to the Pilbara.

Please tell me, are you and your Government willing to be seen as a partner in the destruction of this area, that has been recommended for inclusion in the National Heritage Listing?

Please tell me what action you plan to take to ensure that the Kimberley, one of the world’s great natural areas, is protected? I look forward to your response. I truly hope you can reconsider your decision to be a party to the desecration of our beautiful land.

Your sincerely

Honorable mentions:

Reprinted letter #1

Dear Mr. Burke,

I am writing to you on the subject of James Price Point, this is a place that should be protected and not destroyed. There are alot of reasons why this place special, humpback whales give birth there, dinosaur footprints which must be protected, also the ancient rock art that can never be replaced once it’s gone and there are many endangered species that inhabit the region like the Bilby, the Australian flatback, Green and Hawksbill turtles Whale Sharks, the Northern River Shark, Dugongs the RARE Snubfin Dolphin, also unique coral that is found nowhere else in the world. Threatened as well are Remnant Rain forest Patches which new species of plants are still being discovered today and new species of frogs. The Kimberly Coast is clearly comparable to the Great Barrier Reef and MUST BE PROTECTED. Are you prepared to put all these species at risk of being lost forever? This is a place that makes me very proud to be Australian, and must be preserved for future generations. The Kimberly is more valuable untouched than as an industrial port and gas processing plant. I urge you as the environment minister to do the right thing for the environment and for all Australians it is YOUR duty to protect this pristine Coastal area because once it’s gone it can never be replaced so please DON’T LET AUSTRALIA DOWN!!! Environment Minister do your job that will benefit ALL AUSTRALIANS and not the Big Mining Companies.

Regards ‘B P,’ my children and my children’s children

I look forward to your reply

Reprinted letter #2

Greetings Minister,

Being a Broome resident I am greatly concerned about the proposed gas hub and the further intended industrialization of the Kimberley region. Broome is culturally diverse and one of the rare places left that has not been overly industrialized; hence many people are attracted to live and visit this region.

I feel that the gas hub will change all of this – change that is very detrimental to all the beautiful and unique aspects of this region.

I will not go into all the scientific information there is about what this gas hub will do to the Kimberley – air pollution, heavier demands on water resources, negative interference to the Marine life, destruction of Aboriginal song/culture lines, extinction threats to land fauna and flora, damage to the tourist industry, and deep conflict within our usually unique culture of Broome, etc – as Im sure you have read all of this by now. All these issues are inter-connected and will be adversely affected by the gas hub.

The laws of the Australian government lead me to believe that you have the final say in whether the gas hub goes ahead or not. Up to now with what I have seen happen at James PricePoint, is that Woodside is dictating what happens. Even the Western Australian government is taking sides with them and permitting actions to be happening without correct legal documentation; concerning EPA laws and Aboriginal Heritage Acts. This seems so illegal to me and hope that you have been watching the events up this way and say No to the hub proposal.

I would like to know what you are planning to do to save this unique and amazing area from this gas hub and further industrialization of the Kimberley area; hence awaiting patiently and eagerly for your reply.

Ms ‘K E’

Reprinted letter #3

To the Honorable Tony Burke,

Mr. Burke I write to you in grave concerns for a part of our nation unlike any other on this Earth, The Kimberley region of Western Australia. We know more about the moon then the Kimberley. This area has an abundance of cultural, natural and historical values.

The areas in and around James price point for example are covered with Aboriginal sacred sites and meeting places dating back some 30-40,000 years along with dinosaur footprints that cover the coast entrenched in the sedimentary rock. The foot prints are believed to be around 130 million years old, with prints from 15 different types of dinosaurs. With these tracks being the entire fossil record of dinosaurs in Australia’s West half of the continent, apart from a small amount bone fragments. These tracks are some of the most important to Australia’s geological history.

The Biodiversity of the region is second to none, With endemic flora and fauna on the land with endangered and vulnerable animals such as the Erythrura gouldiae (Gouldian Finch) , The Rhinonicteris aurantius (Orange Leaf-nosed Bat), Isoodon auratus auratus (Golden Bandicoot) and many more threatened, Vulnerable and many yet to be studied. Any impacts on the Kimberley habitats of these creatures would have the potential to cause a decline in their numbers adding to Australia’s already high extinction rate and diminishing the Kimberleys biodiversity weakening its integrity to withstand impacts from both natural and Anthropogenic impacts including climate change.

The area is also part of the Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) annual migratory route,With as many as 20,000 whales passing through the area. The waters in and around James Price point are a calving ground for the Humpbacks that helps bring $31 million into the Australian economy through eco tourism. If the whale calving grounds are threatened by development and dredging the Humpbacks would surely be struck and killed by ship movements with disturbances to breeding and birthing patterns also at risk.

Development of the Kimberley would also have adverse effects on the tourism industry not only from dropping whale populations if this development goes ahead but by the tarnishing of the Kimberley’s “Wilderness” value that many thousands of tourists travel to see and experience every year. Many of these jobs are held by Indigenous peoples.

This area too is treasured by the Indigenous tribes of the area with some 30 tribes still calling the Kimberley home, creating sustainable jobs in eco-tourism, Art and Gubinge fruit harvesting. All sustainable and self-sufficient commerce.

Many tribes still use country for traditional ceremonies and festivals. With many sacred site in the Kimberley region including the Bradshaw Paintings, or gwion gwion, that are around 17,000 years old. With many other sites of interests such as middens and meeting places dating back some 20-40,000 years ago. This all part of the oldest living culture in the world, It makes the Pyramids of Egypt look like modern.

With all this in mind Mr. Burke I ask you to respect the finding of the Australian Heritage Council and protect the Kimberley from degrading forces such as mineral exploration and mining. And declare the 20 million hectare area (including the area of James Price Point) a Heritage site, while also making the offshore area a marine sanctuary allowing Humpback whales to continue on the migratory routes without disruption, while protecting all the marine wildlife in the area and allowing them to continue in there evolutionary path.

I look forward to your findings and actions regarding this issue.

Kind regards,

‘JC’

Victoria, Australia

Posted in Blog, community events | No Comments »

Candlelight Vigil Follows Riot Police Aggression at Blockade

July 9th, 2011

Week 5 – Wed 6th to 13th June 2011

What a week. The events of Tuesday the 5th of July will not be forgotten. The way in which over 80 police took a long and disturbing day to literally push the protest blockade out of the way has left a strong impression on all involved. The blockade had stood for 30 days, peaceful and resolute.

While this year’s participants were walking the Lurujarri heritage trail — famous as an annual reconciliation event — the police were arresting Aboriginal Traditional Custodians for sitting and standing on the road to protect their Country. All this occurred during Naidoc week,a national week of celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A day after the awful scenes of police dragging, among others, old men and women into paddy wagons, a peaceful vigil of more than 300 people occurred outside Broome’s Woodside office. This was attended by many old-Broome families who have lived here for decades and longer. Seen in the crowd was 76 year old ‘Australian hero’ and well known local ecologist Dave Durough, who only yesterday had fallen in front of a front end loader and was then then dragged from the road by police to then watch another hero, his son ‘Froggy’, violently arrested after protecting his father. View the whole event captured in a clear photo series on facebook here.

All at the candlelight vigil joined in the community spirit of Broome and showed their support for each other and their ongoing and renewed determination to save the Kimberley and protect James Price Point.

The blockade camp and the protest camp have remained in place all week. The police presence has been massive and the Joint Venture (Woodside, Shell, Chevron, BP, BHP) contractors have rapidly begun clearing for preliminary investigations at James Price Point. These are just pre-emptive initial works, delayed for 30 days and still being opposed on ground by committed Traditional Owners and the broader community.

Meanwhile a delegation of Traditional Custodians were in Canberra meeting with politicians and raising awareness of the issues. They met with Minister Burke and others to convey the messages of the Broome families, showing the moving and heartfelt ‘Broome families say no’ movie (see movies page).

After having weeks to investigate official complaints and after clearing has commenced the Department of Indigenous Affairs has put a stop work order in place for the weekend to further investigate complaints from Joe Roe regarding damage to heritage sites. We hope they are also investigating the other alleged breaches of permit conditions and the lack of a ‘section 18′ permit under the act.

The Save The Kimberley facebook page has been keeping people up to date and there have been thousands of massages of support from all over the world and many interesting and creative discussions, musical and artistic contributions and more. So many people are taking action to help the cause – it is so inspiring to those at the coal face. Donations have been greatly appreciated and will help support those arrested and those on the ‘front line’ at the protest camp and blockade.

The Broome cam event (Facebook event) was a successful family event held Sunday morning between 9 and 10:00am (see photos below). Locals spelled out “No Gas at JPP” in front of the well-known ‘Broome-cam” at Cable Beach, so supporters far and wide could see their effort in real time online.

Photos:

: Lawman Joseph Roe contemplates his eviction from his land. As the bulldozers rolled in he was issued with a 'move on' notice. From the land of the songline it is his sacred duty to protect as the Law Boss, his Country.

Video:

Protest video – police use of force, interviews – very important video.

Broome families say NO

Colin Barnett asked to resign on radio talkback

Solidarity protest in Perth

Posted in Actions, BHP Billiton, Blockade and Protest 2011, Blog, BP, Chevron, community events, Industry, Joint Venture Partners, Shell, Woodside, Woodside | 3 Comments »

Police attempt to break blockade – update Day 30

July 5th, 2011

Day 30

Before first light the police arrived in force. There have been 25 arrests today. Around 100 campers were woken by police. At least 70 Police ahead of a huge convoy of Browse Joint Venture vehicles including bulldozers and other heavy machinery approached the camp.

7 police cars arrive at blockade in the pre-dawn darkness.

In the pre-dawn 7 Police cars were at first held up. After some discussion the police vehicles were allowed through – just like all tourists and local vehicles have been for 30 days (without the friendly wave and well wishes that were customary). Woodside/Browse JV (Shell, Chevron, BP, BHP) contractors cars were not allowed through. A large number of the huge police contingent then attempted to break the blockade but were outnumbered by protesters, whose numbers had swelled to around 200.

Police ironically blockaded the main Cape Leveque road before the Manari road turnoff camp/blockade site which for 30 days has been watched by protesters. The intent was to deny access to potential protesters from town, but they later re-opened the road.

The protesters had no intention of allowing clearing and drilling workers or machinery through. They stood on principle. Protesters were supporting Indigenous Custodians to protect Culture and Country. They were acting to stop the environmental and social nightmare of a polluting gas plant on their doorstep. There were also justified concerns expressed about this development being a ‘thin edge of the wedge’ for industrialisation of the Kimberley, one of the worlds last great wilderness areas.

Senior Traditional Custodian and Law Boss for the songline passing through Waldaman (James Price Point) Joseph Roe. The strain is showing as is the sadness and disgust at police trying to stop him from protecting his culture and country.

Police moved in with clear intentions of making arrests. There were tears as 3 Indigenous women including a grandmother and her granddaughter were forcibly carried away from the protest. This during NAIDOC week… Other brave people including mothers and grandmothers were hauled away for their peaceful protest as they refused to move out of the way of bulldozers and drill workers.

One by one 10 protesters were carted away to the Broome ‘lock up’. At this point the police changed tactics (possibly having run out of transport for those arrested) and a stand off ensued. Various negotiations and tactics were employed, including an attempt to push through as a moving ‘wall’. One more protester was arrested at this time. Carmel – a gentle and well loved Broome local. Like the protesters with her she believes that she has a responsibility to stop clearing and drilling at James Price Point. The blockade simply reformed behind the police and in front of the Woodside/ Browse JV contractors.

The police then backed off and some were seen to be eating lunch. At this point the protesters had held off the full force of 70 odd police and the heavy machinery for 6 hours… but, directed by Premier Barnett, this situation was not likely to remain stable.

In the afternoon police approached the protest camp, with bulldozers and drill crews behind them. Police obviously had been instructed to arrest at will, and more arrests occurred. One protester ‘locked on’ to one of the bulldozers, and was cut loose with an angle grinder. The highly trained ‘special forces’ division of the police moved together, military style, pushing and shoving to essentially herd the people like cattle along the road.

Protestors, including the elderly, are ruthlessly shoved aside as police make a final charge some 11 hours after arriving at the blockade.

Then it got really ugly… with nightfall approaching and most media left behind with their evening news stories filed, the police picked up the pace. They formed a wedge and pushing, shoving and even gang tackling those in the way, started running toward and through protesters. Cars, trucks and bulldozers driven by untrained contractors hired for the job picked up speed pacing the police charge. There were some very near misses as people and pet dogs risked falling under the wheels. Injuries were sustained by many and the disgust with the brutal tactics was palpable.

The personal, psychological and personal trauma experienced by the Broome community today will last in memory, and in resolve. The Broome community held off Woodside, BHP, BP, Shell and Chevron and the State Government for 30 days. It took a massive and inappropriate use of Government resources, in flying up a huge number of police at taxpayers expense to break through. And this is just preliminary works! Imagine what will happen if they actually make a final investment decision and try to build…

70+ police, many flown in specially, to protect the interests of a multinational oil and gas company… is this a wise use of taxpayer money? We can assure you the taxpayers that were arrested and traumatized today for peacefully trying to prevent pre-emptive clearing don’t think so. This development has no final investment decision, no federal environmental approval and is unnecessary. There are other, better, alternatives. The compulsory acquisition of land which was the ‘gun to the head’ for those Traditional Owners who have accepted payment to give up land is being challenged in court. A failure to get all required heritage clearances, and a breach of one they did get, is currently under investigation. But ‘bully’ Barnett pulled the trigger and sent in the Police against law abiding citizens who simply do not want to see the Kimberley destroyed and safely broke traffic laws to try and ensure that destruction did not happen.

The protest and other work to save the Kimberley will continue – your support is needed.

Want to help Save The Kimberley? http://www.givenow.com.au/savethekimberley – Your donation will help to pay protesters court costs and fines, raise awareness of this important issue and help Traditional Custodians and community to engage in legal challenges and access meetings with politicians and company representatives.

If you are interested in traveling to the Kimberley to help out look at http://kimberleydirectaction.wordpress.com/

Check out what can I do to help and how to write a letter on this site.

Photos:

Media:

Police riot squad corners Kimberley gas hub protesters, 11 arrested – Perth Now

WA police move on gas hub protest – the daily telegraph

Protesters arrested on the road to James Price Point for blocking Woodside workers – ABC

Protesters stand firm amid arrests at gas hub site – WA Today – note this is inaccurate in its portrayal of the community protest being all Save The Kimberley members, Save The Kimberley supports the protest, the Indigenous Custodians lead it and the broader community are participating.

Video:

Posted in Actions, BHP Billiton, Blockade and Protest 2011, Blog, BP, Chevron, community events, Indigenous, Industry, Joint Venture Partners, Joseph Roe, Shell, Woodside, Woodside | 3 Comments »

Blockade News Day 29

July 4th, 2011

Day 29

Good turn out this morning – Woodside contractors have been turned around again.

A sausage sizzle greeted the morning today and great community spirit was shown. Information has come to hand indicating that a large number of Police have recently been flown up from Perth, there is concern in the camp that there may be an attempt to break the blockade coming up. The local police have acted with respect to date and we certainly hope this will continue with these ‘outside’ police.

There is a clear feeling that the blockade will continue and that Browse Joint Venture (Woodside, Shell, Chevron, BP, BHP) contractors will not be allowed to undertake clearing or drilling on country. From within the old families of Broome and the business community there is a rising groundswell of opposition and a real feeling of a lack of proper consultation.

A number of Traditional Custodians are today heading over to Canberra to talk with Minister Burke and others. Their message is to slow down and listen to all community voices not just those being put forward by Woodside and the pro-gas elements of the Kimberley Land Council. Dr Anne Polina and others will be presenting the case against the location of a gas factory on the Kimberley coast and pointing out serious concerns around the conduct and process that has resulted in an announcement of an agreement between Woodside and the native title group. Concerns include the ‘gun to the head’ of compulsory acquisition removing the possibility of free prior and informed consent and irregularities in who was able to and encouraged to vote and the incorrect belief of many eligible native title claimants that by not attending the meeting at which a vote was taken their ‘no’ vote would be recorded.

Media:

Broome musician Alan Pigram will lead a delegation of old Broome families to Canberra today in a bid to convince Federal politicians that the proposed $30 billion gas project at James Price Point should not go ahead.

The group, including filmmaker Mitch Torres and academic Anne Poelina, will lobby politicians before a forum at Parliament House on Thursday.

Broome protester fined but given spent conviction- “A Broome resident who chained himself to a bulldozer for 26 hours as part of an anti-gas hub protest, has been fined but has been given a spent conviction.

Specially trained officers had to be flown from Perth last month to remove Shane Hughes from a Woodside bulldozer”

Woodside talk in Broome while community activists take their message to Canberra – abc online

Photos:

Posted in Actions, BHP Billiton, Blockade and Protest 2011, Blog, BP, Chevron, community events, Industry, Joint Venture Partners, Shell, Woodside, Woodside | No Comments »

Blockade news days 27 and 28

July 2nd, 2011

Day 27

Today many people joined the Goolaraboloo Family at Millibinyarriat to show support at the beginning of the Lurujarri heritage trail. Everyone was welcome to come together and celebrate Reconciliation. The trail is an annual event which has run for many years as a way of bringing cultures together and sharing the stories of the song cycle which includes the Country proposed for the gas plant. Over a week Traditional Custodians guide people from all culture to walk the trail and learn. This is a shining light of reconciliation and cross-cultural learning. Founded by the late Paddy Roe Law Boss for the James Price Point region, who earned the honor of Order Of Australia for his contributions to culture and reconciliation. The trail and the protection of the Law is continued by Joe Roe and family. A Gas Factory cutting the songline would destroy culture and damage Country – Joe Roe and his family have a cultural and moral obligation to stop this travesty from going ahead. THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES.

Today at the blockade we seem to have returned to the pattern established over the past few weeks. Convoy parks up the road. One car comes to blockade. Today 2 Police oversaw discussion with Woodside hired security. They were told that they would not be allowed through to clear or drill. Soon after they all turned around and headed back to town.

However later in the day police have headed out to assess the situation and numbers at the blockade and Waldaman camps. This is ominous but people are positive that the community will be strong in the face of any attempts to clear or drill at James Price Point.

Day 28

Good numbers at the blockade – a broad cross section of the community supporting the traditional custodians. Many people who work during the week took the opportunity to show support. Tomorrow we need all hands on deck. Thanks for all the words and deeds of support from across the country.

No sign of Woodside contractors today, mirroring previous Sundays. This will be an important week…

Posted in Actions, Blockade and Protest 2011, Blog, community events | 2 Comments »

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