KLC Media Statement, December 03, 2009
Traditional Owners are concerned the proposed LNG precinct at James Price Point could lead to rapid increases in the cost of living and growing pressure on public services in the Kimberley.
Rising house prices and rental values, and increased demand for public services including health, education and police are some of the key issues identified by hundreds of Traditional Owners as part of an ongoing Aboriginal Social Impact Assessment (ASIA).
Jabirr Jabirr man Frank Parriman said the interim ASIA findings highlighted the need for Traditional Owners to develop effective strategies to minimize negative impacts from the gas precinct, as well as maximizing the opportunities it creates.
“We know from the experience of Aboriginal people in Port Hedland that when big industry comes to town, so too does skyrocketing rental and housing prices,” he said.
“This is of particular concern given we know that most Kimberley Aboriginal people live in either rental, public or community accommodation and we simply couldn’t afford the sorts of price hikes we saw in the Pilbara mid-boom.
“To overcome this we’re working with the State, the Commonwealth and Woodside on new ways to empower Aboriginal people to move towards home ownership and strategies to improve the availability of affordable rental homes.
“And these are the opportunities we’ll continue to fight for – to have Traditional Owners at the table, making long-term decisions to close the gap and to deal with the impacts of major development.”
The initial Aboriginal Social Impact Assessment (ASIA) report will be submitted by the Kimberley Land Council in early 2010 and will form part of the overarching Strategic Assessment of the LNG precinct being undertaken jointly by the State Government and the Commonwealth.
The ASIA team has held consultation meetings with native title groups and other affected indigenous people of the Dampier Peninsula in Broome, Derby, Beagle Bay, One Arm Point, Lombadina, Djarindjin and smaller communities on the Dampier Peninsula.
The team has also met with over 30 organisations whose operations are likely to be impacted upon by an LNG Precinct, or which deliver services to affected indigenous people.
Mr Parriman called on Kimberley Aboriginal people yet to participate in the ASIA to take part in the remaining consultations that will be held along the Dampier Peninsula in December.
“Feedback from the Aboriginal community is vital to ensure the LNG proposal responds to our aspirations and concerns,” he said.
For more information regarding the Aboriginal Social Impact Assessment please contact Divina D’Anna at the KLC Broome Sub- Office on (08) 9191 8000.
