Kimberley activists arrested as Australian Minister arrives at natural gas plant site

There have now been 29 arrests in protest to the proposal which would signify the beginning of the industrialization of the near pristine Kimberley in remote Northwest Australia. Two weeks ago, 5,000 people attended a protest at the popular Cable Beach against the industrialization of the Kimberley and the threat of turning Broome into a mining town.

The Kimberley is recognized as one of the last large, intact wilderness areas on the planet. Gas refineries on the coast would inevitably lead to the large scale industrialization of this region.

Environs Kimberley Director Martin Pritchard said:

“An extremely damaging 30 year ‘forest war’ is coming to an end in Tasmania and the Prime Minister and Environment Minister Tony Burke have seen firsthand how damaging this has been environmentally, socially and economically. What we are seeing here now is the beginning of the fight against large scale industrialization of the Kimberley.”

“Minister Burke has to decide on what his legacy will be for this spectacular part of the world – industrialization or the protection of the outstanding international wilderness values of the Kimberley.”

“Wilderness areas across the planet are being destroyed and we are lucky here in Australia that we can make a choice to protect the Kimberley. We are calling on the Australian Government to step in and save this place.”

Sea Turtle Restoration Project has supported protection of the Kimberley and its sea turtles, including the Australian flatback, and thousands of members have taken action to opposed the new natural gas plant over the past two years.

"After seeing the red rock country and meeting the people who care so much for that country, I don't see how the minister can allow the Kimberley to be destroyed by Big Oil including California-based Chevron," said Teri Shore, Program director. Learn more here. http://seaturtles.org/section.php?id=139

Photo by Rod Hartvigsen

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Environment Minister visits controversial gas hub site
About 30 protesters greeted Mr Burke as he stepped out of his car and onto the red cliffs of James Price Point. This is his first trip to the site which is earmarked for Woodside's $30 billion gas precinct.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-02/burke-visit-gas-hub-site/2821208
Arrests at Kimberley gas hub siteThree women have been arrested and charged with obstructing police during a protest near a proposed $30 billion gas hub site in the Kimberley. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8280312/arrests-at-kimberley-gas-hub-site

Protesters urge federal minister to stop gas hub
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke arrived in Broome this morning to a rapturous reception from anti-gas protestors, who have pinned their hopes on him refusing to grant environmental approval to the State Government’s proposed $30 billion gas processing precinct at James Price Point.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9960141/protesters-urge-federal-minister-to-stop-gas-hub/