Newsletter date: 13 April 2013
Contents:
* Woodside - ASX Announcement: Woodside to Review Alternative Browse Development Concepts
* The Wilderness Society: Woodside pulls out of Kimberley gas hub
* The Stringer: Woodside dumps gas hub
* The Wire Audio: Woodside dumps James Price Point gas hub
* Greens Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam: Thank you! James Price Point
* Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Greens welcome decision to abandon James Price Point
* Robin Chapple, WA Greens MLC: Kimberley still at risk as Woodside halts JPP
* Hands off Country: Do I dare believe?
* NIRS: Woodside abandons Browse LNG project
* ABC AM Audio: Woodside massive Browse Basin gas venture on hold
* Perth Now: Woodside dumps $45b James Point project
* Perth Now: Woodside gas plan dump causes mixed reactions
* The West: $45b Browse gas hub dead
* Australian: Woodside says giant onshore Browse plant 'not commercially viable'
* Greens Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam, and Robin Chapple MLC: Woodside withdrawal from James Price Point - could signal a big win for Western Australia
* Background to the Save The Kimberley Campaign - James Price Point, north of Broome, WA
* Mining-related articles
* WOODSIDE - ASX ANNOUNCEMENT: WOODSIDE TO REVIEW ALTERNATIVE BROWSE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS
- Announcement
Woodside - ASX Announcement: Woodside to Review Alternative Browse Development Concepts
ASX: http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20130412/pdf/42f6qd2zv5dml6.pdf
Save the Kimberley: http://www.savethekimberley.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/12.04.20...
12 Apr 13: "Woodside has completed its technical and commercial evaluation of the proposed Browse LNG Development near James Price Point and determined that the development concept does not meet the company's commercial requirements for a positive final investment decision."
* THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY: WOODSIDE PULLS OUT OF KIMBERLEY GAS HUB
- Campaign
The Wilderness Society: Woodside pulls out of Kimberley gas hub
https://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/kimberley/woodside-pulls-out-of-...
12 Apr 13: "Congratulations James Price Point, Broome and Australia! The Wilderness Society is excited and relieved by Woodside’s decision this morning to pull out of the destructive gas hub project planned for James Price Point in the Kimberley. Today's outcome is a testament to people power. It shows that communities are capable of stopping inappropriate developments, even when those developments are worth $45 billion, lead by some of the most powerful companies in the world, and backed by governments."
* THE STRINGER: WOODSIDE DUMPS GAS HUB
- News
The Stringer: Woodside dumps gas hub
http://thestringer.com.au/woodside-dumps-gas-hub-2/
12 Apr 13: "An emotional Phillip Roe spoke of both his joy at the news that Woodside has decided to sink the James Price Point (Walmadany) gas hub proposal. "We are celebrating, we are overjoyed, we gave up so much of our time and fought a long battle. I gave up my job to save Country. I did it for my people, for my father’s legacy, for everything he taught us," said the Goolaraboloo Law Boss, Phillip Roe. "We are celebrating, we are here in numbers and we will gather at Walmadany tonight to celebrate but I don’t trust that it is fully over. ... " said Mr Roe."
- Earlier Analysis / Opinion
The Stringer: Gas hub in the balance but one source said, "It will not happen"
http://thestringer.com.au/gas-hub-in-the-balance-but-one-source-said-it-...
9 Apr 13: "Premier Colin Barnett has dreamed big in wanting to leave behind visual embodiments of his tenure as Premier - Elizabeth Quay and the James Price Point gas hub. Within six weeks it will become known whether the Woodside-led-joint-venture will proceed with the $40 billion gas hub. Our sources tell us that it may go either way. One source said "it will not happen." ... Despite the decision not due till mid-May, and a delay on this would be no surprise, nevertheless the decision could be as early as April 24 when Woodside chairman Michael Chaney addresses Woodside’s annual general meeting. ... " By Gerry Georgatos, a life-long human rights and social justice campaigner, and a multi-award winning investigative journalist
* THE WIRE AUDIO: WOODSIDE DUMPS JAMES PRICE POINT GAS HUB
- Audio
The Wire: Woodside dumps James Price Point gas hub
Produced by Bridget Backhaus
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10237
12 Apr 13: "As the dust settles from the fallout of Woodside canning their CSG project at James Price Point, the effects of the announcement are only just becoming clear. And they're a lot more far-reaching and complicated than you would expect. It's been a contentious issue for years; everyone from politicians to conservationists, mining companies to traditional owners have been clashing, sometimes violently, over Woodside Petroleum's proposed coal seam gas hub at James Price Point in Western Australia. But after years of exploration, planning, protests, deals and everything in between, it's over."
"Featured in story:
* Kevin Blatchford - Co-Chair, Save the Kimberley
* Warren Greatorex - Chairperson, Waardi Limited
* Scott Ludlum - Greens Senator to Western Australia
* Maryanne Petersen - Executive Officer, Broome Chamber of Commerce"
* GREENS SENATORS RACHEL SIEWERT AND SCOTT LUDLAM: THANK YOU! JAMES PRICE POINT
- News
Greens Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam: Thank you! James Price Point
Rachel Siewert: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/news-stories/thank-you-ja...
Scott Ludlam: http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/news-stories/thank-you-jame...
12 Apr 13: "Dear friend,
Great news! This morning Woodside announced that it is shelving its plans for a gas processing hub at James Price Point. Woodside would have built a huge industrial development in the middle of whale calving grounds, threatening dugong habitats and burial sites - against the wishes of many traditional custodians and community members. This is a huge victory for a place that is too precious to lose, and for a community that has such a strong relationship with this magnificent country. Both of us have been in Broome this week, and it's fantastic to be celebrating this news with relieved locals."
* GREENS SENATOR RACHEL SIEWERT: GREENS WELCOME DECISION TO ABANDON JAMES PRICE POINT
- Media Release
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Greens welcome decision to abandon James Price Point
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/greens-wel...
12 Apr 13: "Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has welcomed the announcement that the development of a gas hub at James Price Point has been abandoned, saying the decision represents great news for the people, culture and environment of the Kimberley.
"The development of a gas hub at James Price Point would have destroyed irreplaceable environmental, cultural, social and heritage values. It has been a divisive and contentious issue for people across the region over a number of years," Senator Siewert said from the Kimberley today. ...
"Aboriginal people in the Kimberley deserve the same access to housing, jobs, education and other services as all other West Australians. It is not appropriate for the WA Government to have tied the provision of these services to the development of a gas hub at James Price Point. ... " Senator Siewert said today."
* ROBIN CHAPPLE, WA GREENS MLC: KIMBERLEY STILL AT RISK AS WOODSIDE HALTS JPP
- Media Release
Robin Chapple, WA Greens MLC: Kimberley still at risk as Woodside halts JPP
http://www.robinchapple.com/kimberley-still-risk-woodside-halts-jpp
12 Apr 13: "Kimberley Risks Far From Settled Say Greens WA ...
Greens WA Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region, Robin Chapple MLC, today urged caution during celebrations around Woodside’s canning of Premier Barnett’s controversial James Price Point (JPP) gas hub development.
"On this day of immense relief for some Traditional Owners, local residents and their supporters around the country, let’s not forget what challenges still remain ahead of us to ensure once-and-for-all that the Kimberley, as we know and love it, is saved for future generations," Mr Chapple said.
"Mr Barnett was reported on ABC news this morning as saying Aboriginal people would now miss out on revenue. If the government has tied provision of everyday services, which the rest of the state takes for granted, to funds derived from this project, then Aboriginal people should be outraged. ... "
* HANDS OFF COUNTRY: DO I DARE BELIEVE?
- Reflection
Hands off Country: Do I dare believe?
http://www.handsoffcountry.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/do-i-dare-believe.html
12 Apr 13: "Do I dare believe? As the news started to flow late yesterday afternoon, that Woodside are pulling the pin on James Price Point, Red Hand was unsure to believe it or not. As more media started to pick up the story, my heart was ready and willing to except that maybe, just maybe it was true."
- Photo
Hands off Country: "We've saved our country"
http://www.handsoffcountry.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/we-have-save-country....
12 Apr 13: "Theresa Roe embraces her granddaughter Janine in emotional scenes today as the word spreads about Woodside withdrawing from JPP. Theresa repeating, "We've saved our country" ... Congratulations to the Goolarabooloo People and the Broome Community"
* NIRS: WOODSIDE ABANDONS BROWSE LNG PROJECT
- Audio
National Indigenous Radio Service: Woodside abandons Browse LNG project
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29030/Woodside-abandons-Browse-...
12 Apr 13: "Woodside has announced its LNG processing hub, at James Price Point, north of Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley, will be abandoned. ... Broome-based Indigenous culture worker, Anne Poelina, says it’s a win for the Broome community."
* ABC AM AUDIO: WOODSIDE MASSIVE BROWSE BASIN GAS VENTURE ON HOLD
- Audio
ABC AM: Woodside massive Browse Basin gas venture on hold
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2013/s3735349.htm
12 Apr 13: "AM has been told that oil and gas producer, Woodside Petroleum, plans to abandon its proposed gas processing hub at James Price point north of Broome in Western Australia. The company is expected to make an announcement to the stock exchange this morning. Woodside refused to comment when contacted by AM. There's been staunch, broad opposition to the $45 billion Browse project from environmentalists, residents and businesses as well as some traditional owners. Here's national resources reporter, Sue Lannin."
[Includes comments by David Lennox, Colin Barnett and Maryanne Peterson.]
- Related Video
ABC: Woodside to shelve $45b LNG project
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-12/woodside-to-abandon-lng-project/46...
12 Apr 13: "The ABC's AM program has been told that oil and gas producer Woodside Petroleum plans to abandon its $45 billion Browse LNG project in Western Australia." By national resources reporter Sue Lannin
* PERTH NOW: WOODSIDE DUMPS $45B JAMES POINT PROJECT
- News
Perth Now: Woodside dumps $45b James Point project
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/woodside-will-not-go-a...
12 Apr 13: "While shareholders have applauded Woodside Petroleum's dumping of a costly onshore liquefied natural gas plant by sending its stock soaring, Ms Gillard says the company's decision to shelve the massive project does not relate to federal or state regulatory issues. Woodside Petroleum says a major review of the proposed Browse LNG processing plant, at James Price Point in Western Australia, found it would not deliver the returns needed." AAP and Amy Wilson-Chapman
* PERTH NOW: WOODSIDE GAS PLAN DUMP CAUSES MIXED REACTIONS
- News
Perth Now: Woodside gas plan dump causes mixed reactions
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/mixed-reactions-to-she...
12 Apr 13: "Broome Community No Gas Campaign spokeswoman Nik Wevers said the group's opposition would not cease until they were sure the James Price Point area - including the monsoon vine thickets, the dinosaur footprints and the cultural heritage sites - were all protected. ... WOODSIDE Petroleum's decision to shelve a massive gas project in WA is a win for the Kimberley region, environmentalists say. But the workers union says it is a devastating blow for the local construction and manufacturing industries."
* THE WEST: $45B BROWSE GAS HUB DEAD
- News
The West: $45b Browse gas hub dead
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/16692097/woodside-tipped-t...
12 Apr 13: "The national workers union has accused Woodside Petroleum of bypassing Australian workers in favour of offshore operations and higher profits, aided by the Greens. ... Woodside Chief executive officer Peter Coleman says it is confident the Browse gas project will go ahead, despite scrapping plans James Price Point. ... Premier Colin Barnett says the failure to develop a gas hub project at James Price Point is a tragedy and a missed opportunity. ... WA Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said the Premier's constant interfering and meddling caused the James Price Point project to be lost." Andrew Probyn, Peter Kerr, Gareth Parker, Peter Klinger, Dan Emerson and AAP, The West Australian
* AUSTRALIAN: WOODSIDE SAYS GIANT ONSHORE BROWSE PLANT 'NOT COMMERCIALLY VIABLE'
- News
Australian: Woodside says giant onshore Browse plant 'not commercially viable'
Australian: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/woodside-says-ons...
Save the Kimberley: http://www.savethekimberley.com/2013/04/12/woodside-cans-gas-hub/
12 Apr 13: "WOODSIDE Petroleum has scrapped its controversial $US45 billion ($43 billion) plan to build the Browse liquefied natural gas project (LNG) plant at James Price Point, north of Broome, because of the high cost of building in the heated West Australian construction market. But the issue of whether Woodside will construct a plant on the iconic Kimberley coast, a plan that has angered environmentalists and some community groups, been heavily backed by WA Premier Colin Barnett and divided Aboriginal groups, has not been entirely put to bed." Matt Chambers
- Related News
Financial Review: Woodside investors relieved at Browse decision
http://www.afr.com/p/business/companies/woodside_investors_relieved_at_b...
12 Apr 13: "Woodside investors have expressed relief at the decision to abandon the hugely costly plan to build a new LNG plant at James Price Point, with some stepping up calls for capital to be returned to shareholders in the absence of other near-term growth investments." Angela Macdonald-Smith
* GREENS SENATORS RACHEL SIEWERT AND SCOTT LUDLAM, AND ROBIN CHAPPLE MLC: WOODSIDE WITHDRAWAL FROM JAMES PRICE POINT - COULD SIGNAL A BIG WIN FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
- Media Release
Greens Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam, and Robin Chapple MLC: Woodside withdrawal from James Price Point - could signal a big win for Western Australia
Rachel Siewert: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/woodside-w...
Scott Ludlam: http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/woodside-wit...
Robin Chapple MLC: http://www.robinchapple.com/woodside-withdrawal-james-price-point-could-...
11 Apr 13: "Reports that Woodside is shelving its planned Browse gas project at James Price Point could signal a big win for the Kimberley and the environment alike, the Greens said today.
"These are very encouraging reports and it is important that Woodside and the WA Government announce the decision, if it has been made," Senator Rachel Siewert said.
"Throughout this process the Premier's support for onshore processing at James Price Point has made no sense on environmental, social or scientific grounds. The State Government needs to seriously rethink its reckless enthusiasm for the industrialisation of the Kimberley.
"The Greens continue to strongly hold the view that economic benefits of any resources extracted from the Browse basin should flow to the traditional owners of the area, but that significantly better options exist for processing gas that do not involve industrialisation of James Price Point. The Greens will carefully assess any alternative plans to ensure they do not pose the same risk of environmental, social and cultural harm as the Browse proposal for James Price Point," said Senator Siewert. ... "
- Earlier Media Releases
Greens Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam: Barnett and Woodside cling to obsolete plan to wreck James Price Point while industry leaders move on
Rachel Siewert: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/barnett-an...
Scott Ludlam: http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/barnett-and-...
9 Apr 13: "Woodside and Colin Barnett's plan to wreck James Price Point is looking increasingly obsessive as leading companies turn their backs on obsolete onshore processing, the Greens said today.
Speaking from Broome today Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said "Shell and Exxon Mobil are pursuing floating LNG projects while Woodside clings to its plan to ruin the pristine coast at James Price Point".
"The world's two biggest oil companies have decided floating LNG technology is the way forward for offshore Australian gas field developments, yet Woodside and the Premier are stuck in the past. ... " said Senator Ludlam. ...
Greens Senator for Western Australia Rachel Siewert said the Federal Government must intervene to defend the Kimberley."
Greens Robin Chapple MLC: Kimberley DAP approves JPP FIFO camp
http://www.robinchapple.com/kimberley-dap-approves-jpp-fifo-camp
5 Apr 13: "Recently re-elected Greens WA Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC has expressed dismay at last night’s turn of events in the James Price Point saga.
"I am deeply saddened that yet again, the people of Broome have been pushed to breaking point by the heavy-handed tactics of the Barnett-Grylls government, as shown by the public disturbance reported at yesterday’s meeting of the Kimberley Joint Development Assessment Panel," Mr Chapple said.
"It’s no wonder some people react bitterly, when they see their democratically elected Council sidelined by these unrepresentative bodies. ...
"Unfortunately, we shouldn’t be surprised, as the whole James Price Point venture has clearly been flawed from the outset and only continues today thanks to the blinkered, fanatical determination of the Premier," Mr Chapple concluded."
* BACKGROUND TO THE SAVE THE KIMBERLEY CAMPAIGN - JAMES PRICE POINT, NORTH OF BROOME, WA
Last updated: 9 April 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/11/22/wgar-news-background-to-the-save-the-...
* MINING-RELATED ARTICLES:
- Video
SBS World News: WA 'needs to provide more info on uranium mine'
Source: Jeremy Geia, NITV News
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1754604/WA-needs-to-provide-more-info...
9 Apr 13: "The Australian Conservation Foundation has called on the Western Australian government to be more transparent regarding the country’s newest uranium venture near the remote town of Wiluna. ACF National Nuclear Campaigner Dave Sweeney says there has been little information to date about how the uranium will be mined and transported. "If the WA government really believes this is a good industry and it would stack up, they would have no problem at all putting it on the spotlight and putting it on the table and being open about it, rather than cutting secret deals in Perth ... " Mr Sweeney said."
- Audio
3CR Community Radio: Earth Matters 07.04.2013
http://www.3cr.org.au/earthmatters/podcast/earth-matters-07042013
7 Apr 13: "In March Fairfax Magazine "Good Weekend" published an article about Mining CEO Andrew Forrest, calling him a 'Champion of Indigenous Rights", but Forrest’s dealings with the Yindjibarndi Community in the Pilbara challenge that perception."
- News
Indigenous Social Justice Association - Melbourne: Solidarity Salon Stands Up for the Burrup
http://www.isja-msg.com/news.htm
"On Saturday 6 March 2013, the Freedom Socialist Party and the Indigenous Social Justice Association - Melbourne teamed up to host Solidarity Salon Stands Up for the Burrup.' ... The Burrup is sometimes referred to as the world’s biggest art gallery. The area is unique as it contains the world’s largest and most important collection of ancient petroglyph, or rock carvings. This collection contains over one million images, the oldest were created at least 35,000 years ago. Only a fraction have been properly catalogued. This cultural treasure is now under threat from rapacious industrialisation and the insatiable capitalist quest for profit."
National Indigenous Radio Service: CSG companies deny cultural destruction claims
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29002/CSG-companies-deny-cultur...
9 Apr 13: "Two major gas companies have rejected claims they've destroyed Indigenous sacred sites in the Gladstone region in Central Queensland. Members of the Port Curtis Coral Coast Native Title Claim Group are preparing to launch a class action against the three gas companies developing coal seam to liquefied natural gas plants on Curtis Island near Gladstone."
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