Antinuclear

Indecent haste about poorly conceived LNG project

May 2, 2011 5:23 am

…… A 2010 tourism study conducted by the Curtin University Sustainable Tourism Centre found that:

• Plans for an LNG industrial site near Broome pose a serious threat to the Kimberley’s unique and globally-recognised tourism ‘brand’;……

• Tourism is more valuable to the regional economy than resource projects which return less to the local economy, employ fewer local people and have relatively short lifespans;

Kimberley gas hub Strategic Assessment citizens guide “…….Having slammed the previous Labor government for its handling of the Browse LNG siting issue and the decision by Inpex to process its Browse gas (from the ‘Ichthys’ field) in Darwin, WA Premier Barnett is desperate to have a Kimberley LNG project underway before the next State election (due March 2013).

The Premier’s political agenda – and his need to save ‘political face’ – is now driving the entire gas hub strategic assessment, not science, nor the need for community acceptance, not even the economic wishes and interests of the majority of the project’s joint venture partners.

……….. Questions have also been raised about Minister Ferguson’s conflict of interest as both ‘Minister for Resources’ and ‘Minister for Tourism’, especially when the interests of these two portfolios are in direct conflict as is the case with the proposed gas refinery in the Kimberley.

…… A 2010 tourism study conducted by the Curtin University Sustainable Tourism Centre found that:

• Plans for an LNG industrial site near Broome pose a serious threat to the Kimberley’s unique and globally-recognised tourism ‘brand’;

• The Kimberley tourism ‘brand’ is based on the unique natural and cultural values of the region, including its wildlife and vast, unspoiled coast and landscapes;

• Tourism is more valuable to the regional economy than resource projects which return less to the local economy, employ fewer local people and have relatively short lifespans;

• When iconic brands are damaged – as occurred in the 1970’s with the location of an oil refinery on the Shetland Islands – it takes a lot of time, money and effort to rebuild;

• Currently around 10 tour operators, including Aboriginal run businesses, offer whale-watching experiences out of Broome & the Dampier Peninsula – the site of the proposed LNG hub and port;

• There appears to be a substantial imbalance between government support for tourism, including Indigenous tourism enterprises, and the far greater level of funding for resource extraction projects….

Soon after his election, Premier Barnett announced that he would remove the requirement for the informed consent of Traditional Owners for this development. …..

Kimberley gas hub Strategic Assessment citizens guide.pdf

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