Australian Conservation Foundation

The WA Government has just released a report that recommends proceeding with a massive gas hub and development in the remote and stunning Kimberley region.

This development could be the thin end of the wedge in terms of heavy industrialisation and development into the Kimberley, and there are some practical and feasible alternatives for the hub further south that have not been adequately considered.

The development will have a range of impacts, including the destruction of

* dinosaur footprints;
* amazing remnant monsoonal vine thickets; and
* large swathes of seagrass meadows.

It will also involve the construction of a breakwall and jetty over 6km long off the amazing Kimberley coastline.

To date there has still been very little effort to find appropriate alternative sites for processing the gas outside the Kimberley, and Woodside and Premier Barnett continue to push for the Kimberley. This is despite good alternatives being available, and indications that several of the joint venture partners involved in the LNG gas development are interested in the hub being developed outside the Kimberley.

The process has also been marred by decisions by WA Premier Colin Barnett to forcibly acquire land from Traditional Owners in an effort to drive the development over the line.

Whatever decision is made about the gas hub, Traditional Owners should not have to allow massive industrial developments on their land in order to receive government help to tackle social disadvantage, to protect environmental and cultural values, or to facilitate the development of local enterprises.

Protect the values of the Kimberley and support sustainable jobs and livelihoods
Is there an alternative to an industrialised Kimberley and the compulsory acquisition of land from Traditional Owners?

Yes. The Federal Government can work to protect the amazing values of the Kimberley, look more seriously at alternative sites outside of the Kimberley, and work with local communities and Traditional Owners to facilitate and finance the creation of real jobs and sustainable livelihoods that don't destroy the amazing natural and cultural values of the area.

Currently Environment Minister Tony Burke is also assessing the Kimberley for its National Heritage values, to determine what is of outstanding value to all Australians. Not surprisingly, preliminary reports are that both natural and cultural National Heritage values exist across a very large part of the Kimberley. Having all these values and special places formally recognised will confirm just how important this part of our country is, and will also be an important step towards protecting the area and managing future development and land use.

ACF is working hard to protect the special values of the Kimberley and ensure that there is a good National Heritage listing. It is also important to make sure that important natural and cultural values are not sacrificed unnecessarily for major industrialisation, particularly when there are better alternatives, and other opportunities to create more sustainable jobs in the Kimberley.