Appealing the decision to allow gas refineries at James Price Point
Points to include in an appeal on the Environmental Protection Authority’s report on
“James Price Point gas hub strategic assessment” (EPA Report 1444, July 2012)
Who can appeal?
Any member of the public can lodge an appeal against this decision. All you need to do is write a letter (you don’t have fill out the form on the EPA or Appeals Convenor’s website)
How much does it cost?
It costs $10.
What’s the closing date?
Appeals must be submitted via email by 11.59pm, Monday 30 July 2012.
More information on writing an appeal
See accompanying document “INFORMATION ON LODGING AN APPEAL” from the Office of the Appeals Convenor’s website.
What you might want to include in an appeal
Make sure you ask the Appeals Convenor to come to Broome to talk to the community.
Social impacts
The EPA can only look at ‘primary social impacts’ which means they can only assess social impacts that arise out of direct environmental impacts e.g. they cannot assess the impact of 8,000 construction workers on the town of Broome.
An example of a ‘primary social impact’ could be that the development of the James Price Point area for gas refineries would lead to a loss of:
- recreational and subsistence fishing;
- a significant source of customary foods and other resources;
- a key recreational area for Broome residents and tourists;
- camping areas;
- bushwalking opportunities.
Unfortunately the EPA has refused to assess any of the negative primary social impacts that would arise from the project unlike the Margaret River Coal proposal which the EPA rejected:
In conclusion, it is the EPA’s judgement that should the proposal be implemented, the serious risks to important environmental values in the Margaret River region, especially surface and groundwater and the consequential impacts on the social surroundings, render this proposal environmentally unacceptable.[1]
If you want to write an appeal on primary social impacts make sure you explain the social and cultural importance of the James Price Point area for yourself, family and friends and ask the Appeals Convenor how your concerns are going to be addressed.
The EPA report mentions that Cable Beach could be under threat from dredging. This would be a serious concern, particularly for tourism related businesses but also for Broome residents who could lose the amenity, recreational and social value of the beach.
General concerns
- Conflict of interest of EPA Board
- No peer review of the science despite a commitment to do so
- Poor science
- Reliance on post-approval research and management plans
- Previous proposals to mine at JPP having been rejected by the EPA and Mining Wardens Court
- Sites outside the Kimberley were not assessed adequately
- Destruction of dinosaur footprints
Environmental concerns
You may want to comment on concerns about:
- Whales
- Dugong and seagrass
- Sawfish
- Dolphins
- Turtles
- Monsoon vine thickets
- Bilbies and fauna
For a detailed breakdown on the failures of the EPA report please go to:
- Guide sheet for EPA Appeals by The Wilderness Society (WA)
- EPA Browse Appeal by Broome Community No Gas Campaign
- Environmental groups previous report to the EPA at: http://www.wilderness.org.au/files/james-price-point-science-assessment-report
[1] Vasse Coal Project , EPA Report 1395, May 2011 Link here: Vasse Coal Project