Wednesday, May 30

Pipelines and songlines cause beautiful Broome to turn ugly


A sign outside the council chambers where the Development Assessment Panel was meeting (Hilary Smale)

If it comes to fruition, the project could bring thousands of jobs to the region, and money to the traditional owners of the land.

Exploratory drilling is already underway, although the gas hub still doesn't have Federal Government approval.

During the past 40 years, up to nine state and federal organisations, including the Australian Academy of Science and Ministry of Premier and Cabinet in WA, have recognised the importance of James Price Point to the cultural history of the Kimberley.

But now the current Western Australian government and the Kimberley Land Council, the organisation which claims to represent traditional owners, consider it an appropriate place for a gas hub.

Some Goolarabooloo maintain their opposition to the development. Traditional owner Phillip Roe says it will destroy a culturally important songline and will set a precedent for more mining in the Kimberley.

But their fight is not just with Woodside and the State Government but also the Kimberley Land Council, the organisation which claim to represent traditional owners in the Kimberley.


ABC Rural

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