Shire of Broome Elections 2021 – Candidate survey

The Shire election is on the 16^th of October and we encourage all eligible people to vote. Shire elections are notorious for a low voter turnout (often fewer than 30% of electors vote).

Councillors have responsibility over many decisions that can have a significant impact on the environment, landscape, heritage and wellbeing of people. Not all developments are the responsibility of the Shire, e.g. the boating facility proposal at Entrance Point is a Department of Transport responsibility. Councillors can advocate on behalf of people in the Shire to send a strong message to State and Federal Governments. Incoming Councillors can change policy positions and set a Shire in a different direction from that of previous administrations.

As a conservation organisation we are interested in candidates’ position on the environment and sustainable development. We asked all candidates their views on key matters that the Shire is facing – climate change, future energy supply and development, coastal development and waste management.

Harold Tracy, Desiree Male, Peter Taylor, Philip Matsumoto and Johani Mamid declined to take part in the survey. Below are the questions and responses from James Carpenter, Tony Lee and Ellen Smith.

James Carpenter

1. Climate change predictions for the Kimberley include rising sea levels and less frequent but more intense cyclones. Do you think the Broome Shire should have a climate change policy? If so, what might it include? If not, why not?

Climate change is real and we need to take the risks of it seriously. Given the reports the Shire have received as to the impacts of rising sea levels on Broome there is no time to waste in developing a Climate Change policy and ensuring that all that we do is cast through this and other environmental filters. Included in this is the impacts of sea level rises, temperature increases, greater intensity of cyclonic activity, risk of drought. Economically there will be impacts, notably insurance is already becoming very expensive and increasingly difficult to have supplied, but the economic impact of damage to infrastructure and the effect on people need to be considered. Overarchingly, a move to sustainability in all forms as part of a concerted effort at all levels of government across WA, Australia and the world is required to lessen the impacts of climate change so that we have the opportunity to deal with it over time rather than immediately (the old ‘flatten the curve’ idea).  I promise that all decisions I make will first and foremost pass through an environmental filter.

2. Do you support fracking in the Shire of Broome?

No, I do not support fracking anywhere. It is clear that many governments in the world oppose fracking for a number of reasons, including the risk to groundwater, the risk to top water (rivers, creeks, streams) and the use of water (millions of litres of water are used in this process). When France, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Italy have all banned fracking and many, many states around the world have not allowed it within their remit or have ‘moratoriums’ until safety concerns are dealt with, I do not believe we should be allowing it in the Kimberley. That the State Government has allowed it here and not in the rest of the state should be a question asked of our local member. I understand that Traditional Owners have a say on whether this takes place on their land and due to historical factors this is seen as a way of providing income and employment to their people. However I still don’t approve of fracking and believe that this is a dilemma forced upon these people due to a total lack of investment in other infrastructure and opportunity forcing them into this terrible choice.

In addition, we are moving away from the fossil fuel age and we should be focussing on this.

Also, let’s leave something for our future generations to make decisions on how to exploit (or not!).

3. Should our Shire be doing more to bring cheap renewable energy to Broome? If yes, what should it do? If not, why not?

I think renewable energy production is a no brainer in Broome. We are small enough and contained enough to be able to be totally self-sufficient in renewables. The Shire should be leading the way and providing the support and initiative to achieve this.

I would like to see the Shire using solar power for all its buildings, as offices used during the day are ideal for solar power.

I would like to have an investigation into community solar power plants and how these can be best utilized. We have no choice of power supply here in Broome and perhaps it’s time to create a choice. If we only have fossil-fuel generated power then it’s time for another choice.

I am keen to ensure that Australian components are used for renewable energy production and storage. There is an enormous market for these and it seems ridiculous to only go overseas, especially as Australia can produce components that last longer and work better.

4. More than a thousand people have signed a petition to Parliament in opposition to the proposed $77 million boat ramp and car park at the cove at Entrance Point, which would destroy the much-loved beach. Would you support an investigation of alternative safe harbour options, including assisted launching, if you were elected? If not, why not?

I like the idea of a safe boat launching facility; however, I do not believe that enough thought has been put into this project. We are looking at having three jetties/structures in one place…I wonder if in 20-30 years people looking at that area would think ‘why didn’t they just build the one jetty to support all these things?’

Only a small percentage of boat owners in Broome cannot launch their boats safely due to their size and weight and or the environmental factors at the time (tides, wind, waves). Are we going to allow a massively expensive, awful-looking ‘monument’ to

destroy a beautiful area used by locals and visitors alike because big boat owners can’t wait for a tide or the wind to die down?

Instead of taking $77 million from State coffers, we could have a 24/7 365 days a year boat launching service for around $600k a year, including tractor. You may need to wait 10 minutes to launch or retrieve but to have this service would take a lot of the stress out of the process.

5. Do you think the Shire could do more to prevent the dumping of rubbish? If so, what do you suggest?

I am pushing for the reinvigoration of the cyclone cleanup/verge side collection. I believe this would have multiple effects, including the reuse/reduce/repair of household items, reducing the amount of rubbish being dumped and most importantly give a little back to the people who live here!

I also think that the Shire could be more punitive to illegal dumpers and ensure that if you are caught doing it or can be identified as a dumper,  the full force of the law is applied to you. This includes public shaming!

6. Should the Shire reinstate the cyclone clean-up service? Please add your comments.

See above. This is a ticket item for me. It is a matter of equity for me as well as an environmental consideration.

Also, most Shires/Towns/Cities do this for their residents, why can’t we?

7. Cable Beach is described as one of the world’s best beaches, largely for the unspoilt landscape. Current Shire plans include putting sandbags at the base of dunes to try to prevent erosion. This experiment could fail and be a significant burden to ratepayers. Would you support leaving the beach alone and retreating from the coast instead?

I don’t understand how the Shire can force this through as a special agenda item and not be seen as being complicit in meeting the needs of business and not considering the needs of the people or our natural environment.

Have there been any environmental studies and reports to see the impacts of this on Cable Beach? Surely this would be done before more than $800k of ratepayers’ money is used to fully design what will go up top?

The impact of climate change is the reason for this yet why are we not tackling it in any other way?

There is no need to do this revitalization of Cable Beach precinct at this time when there are so many other areas in the Shire that need some focus. Let’s have a breather and let the Chinatown 2 dust settle and let the community catch up.

8. Building height limits at Cable Beach of three storeys have ensured the world-famous landscape remains unspoilt. Developers and real estate interests are proposing an increase to seven storeys. Would you support retaining the three-storey limit?

I hate the look of the Gold Coast and would hate to see Broome end up like that. Having said that I would need to know what the difference would be in terms of the environmental impact and what this would look like before supporting this or any other development. I am not opposed to development but I will have an environmental filter on all development and I would need to know these before giving an opinion.

I believe people come to live in and visit Broome because of its incredible environment and culture. To negatively impact this is to reduce the reason people come here. This is especially true of Cable Beach, one of the best beaches in the world (and I have travelled a lot of it). This is a simple truth and one Councillors need to put in front of our own economic interests.

Tony Lee

1. Climate change predictions for the Kimberley include rising sea levels and less frequent but more intense cyclones. Do you think the Broome Shire should have a climate change policy? If so, what might it include? If not, why not?

Yes I do believe that the Shire of Broome should have a Climate Change Policy. Broome is situated on a low lying peninsula with the sea on 3 sides and a rise in the sea levels due to global warming is going to have a significant impact on Broome. It could include a Declaration of Climate Emergency. Also Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions; the reduction of fossil fuel usage; moving to a town powered by renewable energy; planting of more native trees; rebates for energy efficient housing/buildings; facilitate and promote industries and development that are not fossil fuel or extractive industries. I am sure there are many more that could be added to this small list of mine and would be happy to engage with people and companies that could facilitate the development of such a policy and green initiatives.

2. Do you support fracking in the Shire of Broome?

I do not support fracking in the Shire of Broome

3. Should our Shire be doing more to bring cheap renewable energy to Broome? If yes, what should it do? If not, why not?

Yes, I do believe that the Shire should be advocating/assisting in whatever way the development of renewable energy for Broome. As mentioned previously, Broome should be powered by renewable energy. I am not across all of the options possible and the relevant stakeholders/industry groups that could be involved in achieving this outcome – but would be happy to engage in a meaningful way to develop a “Green Energy Policy and Practical Roadmap/Strategy”

4. More than a thousand people have signed a petition to Parliament in opposition to the proposed $77 million boat ramp and car park at the cove at Entrance Point, which would destroy the much-loved beach. Would you support an investigation of alternative safe harbour options, including assisted launching, if you were elected? If not, why not?

Certainly I would support such an investigation of options. I do believe that Broome does need a safe boat launching facility – but I am not convinced that what is proposed currently, and the location, is ideal. Also, to be spending almost $80million on such a facility I find difficult to accept when we have, as a community, more pressing issues/needs/services/programs that could have benefited enormously from such a cash injection, such as housing, holistic integrated youth prevention/rehabilitation/detention programs, a cultural centre, dinosaur interpretative centre – just to name a few

5. Do you think the Shire could do more to prevent the dumping of rubbish? If so, what do you suggest?

Yes, the Shire could do more. I think that this is part of a wider issue about the Shire and community having an environmental waste disposal policy, strategy and initiatives. This should include prevention, education and awareness-raising starting in the schools, workplaces, social, sporting and recreational groups. Greater use of Shire rangers, Yawuru rangers in surveillance and policing. More signage. Having larger bins (say like enclosed skip bins) placed in several strategic locations around town. Cheaper fees to the rubbish tip

6. Should the Shire reinstate the cyclone clean-up service? Please add your comments.

Yes, it should.

7. Cable Beach is described as one of the world’s best beaches, largely for the unspoilt landscape. Current Shire plans include putting sandbags at the base of dunes to try to prevent erosion. This experiment could fail and be a significant burden to ratepayers. Would you support leaving the beach alone and retreating from the coast instead?

I don’t have any firm views at this stage and would be open to looking at any reports done and the options provided and to have discussions with EK, other Councils who have faced similar issues, and any other scientific/engineering experts. I would however be against any further development on the sand dunes for commercial and recreational purposes

8. Building height limits at Cable Beach of three storeys have ensured the world-famous landscape remains unspoilt. Developers and real estate interests are proposing an increase to seven storeys. Would you support retaining the three-storey limit?

Yes I would support retaining the 3 storey limit.

Ellen Smith

1. Climate change predictions for the Kimberley include rising sea levels and less frequent but more intense cyclones. Do you think the Broome Shire should have a climate change policy? If so, what might it include? If not, why not?

We are faced with a climate emergency and the Shire of Broome should absolutely have a climate change policy. This could include a mandate for the Shire itself to reach net zero emissions by 2030. Broome is also ideally placed to engage in the renewable energy economy. Our proximity to Asia and abundance of natural assets (wind, solar, tidal power) means we have a real opportunity to diversify our economy into the future. It is up to all levels of government to drive policy and practice change in carbon emissions, but we don’t need to wait for our State and Federal counterparts to do something; we can be leaders in this space.

2. Do you support fracking in the Shire of Broome?

Fracking is an unnecessary risk and blight on the landscape which we shouldn't be pursuing in place of renewable energies. As part of my Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management, I delivered a report into WA’s governance and regulatory framework for fracking. My research did suggest that with appropriate regulatory oversight (which WA doesn't have in place) it may be possible to mitigate the environmental impacts of fracking. However, there are no ‘best practice’ models of regulatory oversight being achieved globally and to me, this suggests the risk is simply too high.

3. Should our Shire be doing more to bring cheap renewable energy to Broome? If yes, what should it do? If not, why not?

Yes, by delivering a renewable energy strategy on both Broome’s access renewables and engagement in the renewable energy economy. This could then be used to advocate and lobby State/Federal government for appropriate funding.

4. More than a thousand people have signed a petition to Parliament in opposition to the proposed $77million boat ramp and car park at the cove at Entrance Point, which would destroy the much-loved beach. Would you support an investigation of alternative safe harbour options, including assisted launching, if you were elected? If not, why not?

It is clear that the community wants and needs a safe boat launching facility. I support the current proposal in principle and I understand formal environmental assessment and approvals are still required. There is no publicly available information on the environmental modelling that has been done to date. I will engage strongly on this point, as we need to ensure groyne configuration and ramp design doesn't impact on sand drift and risk creating a problem elsewhere. I know there are many in the community who are concerned about the size and footprint of the proposal and I would be open to alternative designs. I don’t believe assisted launching is a practical long-term solution.

5. Do you think the Shire could do more to prevent the dumping of rubbish? If so, what do you suggest?

It is difficult to make comment on this without first understanding why people illegally dump rubbish. Is it because tip fees are too high? Is it laziness or convenience? Broome definitely has a poor relationship with waste disposal. I regularly walk along roadside verges and collect rubbish and it would be great if the Shire could facilitate community clean-up days and encourage everyone to chip-in. Ultimately, behavioural change is necessary and an education campaign required to drive this in the first instance.

6. Should the Shire reinstate the cyclone clean-up service? Please add your comments.

I understand this to be something the community wants to see a return to. I understand there to be pros and cons; On the plus side, it is more equitable for people who don’t otherwise have trailers or means to get rubbish to the tip. It also provides an opportunity for community recycling – one person’s trash is another’s treasure! On the downside, it is argued that recycling bulk verge collection is more challenging and more waste tends to end up in landfill.

7. Cable Beach is described as one of the world’s best beaches, largely for the unspoilt landscape. Current Shire plans include putting sandbags at the base of dunes to try to prevent erosion. This experiment could fail and be a significant burden to ratepayers. Would you support leaving the beach alone and retreating from the coast instead?

Information on what the best course of action might be with regard to protecting the natural state of Cable Beach is buried in a 320+ page report released by the Shire. It’s not a public-friendly document and this is potentially reflected in the level of engagement the Shire has had in the associated community workshops (of which 17 people attended). I’m concerned appropriate sand drift modelling hasn’t been completed to demonstrate the effects of any of the protection measures.

8. Building height limits at Cable Beach of three storeys have ensured the world-famous landscape remains unspoilt. Developers and real estate interests are proposing an increase to seven storeys. Would you support retaining the three-storey limit?

Yes. One of the reasons people come to Broome is for its natural beauty and we need to retain that as much as possible.

Authorised by M.Pritchard, 44 Blackman Street, Broome, WA 6725