Archive for June, 2012
Release of Browse environmental report delayed
ABC
Babs McHugh
A senior business journalist says the decision by the Western Australian Government to delay the release of an environmental report into a gas project in the state’s Kimberley will have international implications.
It was revealed this week that four out of five members of the board of the WA Environmental Protection Authority were stood aside for having conflicts of interest in the decision on the Browse LNG hub.
Second challenge to Woodside survey
Sky News
The West Australian Environmental Defender’s Office (EDO) has launched a second legal challenge on behalf of a traditional owner against survey works at Woodside Petroleum’s proposed $30 billion Kimberley gas hub site.
The EDO on Wednesday claimed WA Planning Minister John Day had moved the goalposts ahead of its original legal challenge – due to be heard in the Court of Appeal on Tuesday – contesting shire planning approval for Woodside to work on the James Price Point site, 60km north of Broome.
‘Abuse of power’: claims regulation changed to thwart Browse legal bid
The Sydney Morning Herald
Rania Spooner
The lawyer behind a Supreme Court challenge to the validity of Woodside Petroleum’s approvals for early works at James Price Point has alleged the West Australian Planning Minister today amended regulations to allow the works to continue even if the approvals are invalid
Minister slammed over gas hub shift
The West Australian
Flip Prior
Planning Minister John Day has been accused of improperly using his powers after amending planning processes to give himself sole authority over approvals for the controversial gas hub development at James Price Point.
Broome Shire President Graeme Campbell confirmed this afternoon that Mr Day had “seen fit to take away from the Shire all planning decisions in relation to the proposed gas precinct” and that he was allowed to do so under the Planning Act.
Marmion tight-lipped on gas hub report
ABC
The Environment Minister Bill Marmion is remaining tight-lipped following claims a report, on whether the proposed gas hub at James Price Point gas hub should go ahead, was not conducted properly.
Four members of the Environmental Protection Authority board have been barred from contributing to the report because of potential conflicts of interest.
One man to make environmental call on Browse
The Sydney Morning Herald
Rania Spooner
The crucial environmental recommendations over plans for a $35 billion gas hub at James Price Point will be made by only one man, after conflicts of interest struck four out of five WA Environmental Protection Authority board members off the Browse LNG Project assessment.
The EPA has confirmed the “unprecedented” situation for the proposal’s assessment, where chairman Paul Vogel is the only member of the board without a conflict of interest.
EPA chairman makes sole decision on gas hub
ABC
The chairman of the Environmental Protection Authority says he has made a decision on whether the agency should recommend the Government approve the James Price Point gas hub.
Last week, it was revealed four out of the five EPA board members were barred from contributing to a report on the Browse project because of potential conflicts of interest.
Woodside loses major gas supply deal
The Sydney Morning Herald
Woodside Petroleum has let lapse a supply agreement for its Browse project worth up to $45 billion.
Woodside said the agreement with CPC Corporation of Taiwan, signed in November 2007, was allowed to expire on June 21 with the agreement of both companies.
Woodside Browse gas deal expires amid delays
ABC
Woodside says it has allowed a gas supply agreement for the Browse Basin liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Western Australia to expire.
Woodside told the market that the 2007 agreement with Taiwan’s CPC Corporation expired yesterday, with the consent of both parties.
NW candidate in dark on gas hub
The West Australian
Flip Prior
Labor’s newly endorsed candidate for the Kimberley seat has admitted she isn’t “well informed” about the thorny issue of the proposed gas hub at James Price Point in the run up to the 2013 State election.
Josey Farrer, a Kija Aboriginal woman, born at Moola Bulla Station, lives in Halls Creek with her children and partner of 30 years. A former Halls Creek Shire President and current Kimberley Land Council director, she was endorsed at the party’s State executive meeting last night