The Kimberley Land Council today released a six-volume Indigenous Impacts Report that identifies what is needed to achieve responsible development of natural gas resources off the Kimberley Coast.
KLC Executive Director Wayne Bergmann said the release of the Report is “a critical step in a sustained effort by Kimberley Traditional Owners to ensure that a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Precinct will only be established in the Kimberley if their sea and land country is protected and it generates long-term benefits for affected Indigenous people.”
“Since the process of finding a site for an LNG Precinct on the Kimberley Coast started in 2007, Traditional Owners and the KLC have had only one goal, to make sure that development will only occur if it is responsible, protecting cultural and environmental values at the same time as ensuring that future generations of Kimberley Indigenous people have greater access to economic and social opportunities,” Mr Bergmann said.
The Indigenous Impacts Report has been prepared as part of the joint Commonwealth – Western Australia Strategic Assessment of the proposed LNG Precinct at James Price Point, some 60 km north of Broome.
The final decision on whether to approve the Precinct lies with the Federal Minister for the Environment, who in making his decision must consider the social and cultural effects of a Precinct on affected Indigenous people and whether management arrangements are in place that will avoid or mitigate those impacts.
The Indigenous Impacts Report examines the likely effects of LNG development in one of the most comprehensive studies of its type undertaken in Australia, funded by the Government of Western Australia and prepared under the direction of the KLC and Traditional Owners for James Price Point.
Prepared by leading independent experts and based on extensive consultations, the Report sets out the aspirations and concerns of hundreds of Traditional Owners and other affected Indigenous people.
The Report includes numerous recommendations designed to ensure that potentially negative impacts associated with an LNG Precinct are effectively managed, and that Traditional Owners and other affected Indigenous people share in the economic and other benefits a Precinct can generate.
“The Indigenous Impacts Report combine expert independent analysis with the voices of Traditional Owners,” Mr Bergmann said.
“They show that we are at a crossroads in relation to LNG development.
“Depending on the level of commitment shown by the State and Commonwealth Governments and companies such as Woodside, and their willingness to adopt the Report’s recommendations, LNG development can either open up a unique opportunity to improve the lives of Kimberley Indigenous people, or leave them even worse off.
“If the recommendations are ignored by Government, LNG development in the Kimberley will be a repeat of what has happened elsewhere in Australia, where the resources boom has pushed up rents and the cost of living, damaged Indigenous cultural heritage, and created few employment opportunities for Indigenous people.
“It is especially important that the Commonwealth and Western Australia accept the Report’s finding that both Governments must make a major effort to overcome the social and economic disadvantage faced by Kimberley Aboriginal people in areas such as education, training, health and housing.
“Only if that disadvantage is seriously addressed will Kimberley Indigenous people be able to take advantage of the opportunities created by LNG development. I call on Federal Ministers Tony Burke, Martin Ferguson and Jenny Macklin and on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to help us make sure that if this development does go ahead it benefits the whole community – and not just Woodside.”
Volume 1 of the Report provides an overview of the remaining five volumes and consolidates all of their recommendations. Volume 2 looks at the issue of Traditional Owner consent and Indigenous community consultations. Volume 3, the most extensive part of the Report, examines the economic and social impacts of LNG development. Volume 4 examines impacts on heritage; Volume 5 provides an archaeological site survey of James price Point; Volume 6 is an ethnobilogical report that focuses on Indigenous environmental values.
The Aboriginal Social Impact Assessment is the result of research and modelling using the best information available and visits to all indigenous communities on the Dampier Peninsula. It includes two rounds of formal meetings with affected native title claim groups and indigenous communities, contact with 100 indigenous and other organisations, and numerous informal engagements with indigenous people.
Volume 1: Overview and Consolidated Recommendations
Volume 2: Report on Traditional Owner Consent and Indigenous Community Consultation
Volume 3: Aboriginal Social Impact Report
Volume 4: Heritage Impact Assessment Report
Volume 5: Aboriginal Archaeological Site Avoidance Survey, James Price Point
Volume 6: Ethnobiology Studies Report (To be added shortly)
