KLC Media Statement, 20.02.2009
Kimberley Traditional Owners are today ready to negotiate a deal for a large-scale liquefied natural gas development on Aboriginal land, the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) said today.
The peak body representing Traditional Owners in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, said today it had been given authorisation to negotiate a deal from the Goolarabooloo Jabirr-Jabirr people the Traditional Owners of the WA Premier’s preferred site for a LNG hub in the James Price Point area.
The meeting in Broome today elected a committee of Traditional Owners to take part in the negotiations. It is the culmination of a year long regional consultation with Aboriginal people to identify a site which began with fourteen native claim groups and now rests with one.
KLC Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Bergmann said Traditional Owners supported development on their country but it could not be development at any cost.
“Traditional Owners are ready to go into negotiations over a development deal on their country area to ensure long term jobs and benefits are delivered to Traditional Owners and communities in the Kimberley.
“Traditional Owners want to be economic partners in their land. They are not victims to be compensated.”
“An LNG plant built on Aboriginal land must deliver ongoing economic participation for Traditional Owners and the Kimberley community while protecting our cultural and environmental heritage.”
“If it does not meet these conditions it will be a deal done that only delivers for mining company interests and big mining company profits alone,” Mr Bergmann said.
The negotiation between the WA State Government, Woodside Energy proponents and the KLC will begin next week ahead of a 31 March deadline to reach an in principle agreement.
“The KLC have delivered a decision supported by Traditional Owners in the Kimberley to take part in negotiations. This is a David and Goliath battle as Traditional Owners have won a seat at the table.
“We hope all parties support a fair and open process so we can reach a deal which supports all the people of the Kimberley and its environment, ” said Mr Bergmann.
