Community stands together to protect Entrance Point Reef
More than 120 Broome locals gathered yesterday at Entrance Point Reef to call for its protection.
As the community came together, barefoot kids delighted in discovering hermit crabs under the glowing sandstone cliffs near the opalescent water covering carpets of corals.
The Broome community standing together to protect their cherished place. Photo: Damian Kelly.
With a giant red crane looming ominously over the scene, Yawuru local Tony Lee spoke powerfully about the heritage importance of Entrance Point while Ngaire Pigram, creator of the two petitions to the WA Parliament requesting the protection of Entrance Point, called for a minute of silence to honour the place’s spirit.
“What they’re bringing here is destructive industry… you’re not going to be able to hear the reef talk any more,” they said fighting back tears.
“Don’t ever think you can’t stand up for Country. You all belong here because you’ve all felt this place and you know how special it is… let’s not give up.”
Ngaire Pigram and Kath White. Photo: Damian Kelly.
Hand-painted signs by local families asked Minister for Ports David Michael why he hasn’t answered more than 1000 letters requesting protection of the reef. Other signs questioned why there has been no study done on the more than 40 species of corals living at the site.
Amelia, Martin and Bonney. Photo: Damian Kelly.
The community also called on Hon. Peter Foster, Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs whose electorate is the Mining and Pastoral Region, to respond to the signatories of the two petitions requesting the protection of Entrance Point Reef.
You can see more photos and read further coverage of the community action on ABC Kimberley’s facebook post.
Our community can still protect Entrance Point Reef - if you haven’t already, please send a letter to Minister Michael to protect the reef from industrialisation here.
Broome Locals Warned Town Could Become “Unliveable” If Emissions Continue To Rise
One of Australia’s most prestigious climate scientists has warned a packed town hall meeting in Broome that their town is on track to become “unliveable” if carbon emissions are not dramatically reduced soon.
IPCC report author and CEO of Climate Analytics Bill Hare told the sold out event that the world is currently on track for 2.7°C degrees of warming based on current government policies.
“The number of days over 40°C degrees across the northern land surface of Australia will increase quite rapidly. In a town like Broome, it could become too hot to work outside in parts of the year within a few decades,” warned Hare.
“Cattle also would not be able to survive once temperature and humidity reaches dangerous levels. It could become quite unlivable in several decades if we don’t dramatically reduce emissions soon and act to limit warming to 1.5°C.”
Climate scientist and IPCC report author Bill Hare briefs Broome locals.
Broome locals were briefed by Greenpeace, Conservation Council of WA and Environs Kimberley on Woodside’s new plans to drill at Scott Reef to develop the Browse field off the Kimberley coast, Australia’s largest untapped gas field.
Ten years after Woodside’s failed attempt to build an onshore gas processing plant at James Price Point, the fossil fuel giant is planning to build a 900-kilometre-long pipeline to pipe gas from the Browse field to the Karratha gas plant, as part of its wider Burrup Hub project.
Woodside’s proposal, which has been submitted for federal and state approval, would see the company drill up to 50 wells at the stunning Scott Reef, turning pristine waters into an industrial gas zone.
Broome locals packed a town hall meeting on Thursday 16 May to hear about Woodside’s plans to build a massive new fossil fuel project off the Kimberley coast.
Sitting 270 kilometres off the Kimberley coast, Scott Reef is one of Australia’s most vibrant and biodiverse standalone coral reefs, home to many threatened species including endangered green sea turtles and the endangered pygmy blue whale.
Woodside wants to drill just two kilometres from Scott Reef’s edge, risking a catastrophic oil spill. Meanwhile, the pipeline Woodside wants to build will also sit within 2 to 3 kilometres of the stunning Rowley Shoals, a diving paradise regularly visited by Broome marine tourism operators.
Broome locals had not previously been informed of the dangerous risks Woodside’s plans pose for the Kimberley coast.
“Woodside’s plans haven’t been made clear and transparent to Broome residents. People are just not aware of the risks. If something goes wrong, a well blowout could spread for hundreds of kilometres,” said Martin Pritchard, Director of Strategy at Environs Kimberley.
“Woodside’s safety record has been described by unions as ‘diabolical.’ They have had two pipeline accidents already this year off Karratha. We must place the protection of the Kimberley coast and everyone's jobs in tourism over Woodside profits.”
With the project facing possible approval within the next few months, Environs Kimberley called on Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to visit Broome and Scott Reef to see first-hand what is at stake.
“This is a massive new fossil fuel development in a critically important area for endangered pygmy blue whales and green turtles - it’s completely unacceptable. Minister Plibersek can protect our oceans and wildlife for future generations by stopping Woodside’s destructive plans. We invite Minister Plibersek to come to the Kimberley and see for herself what's at stake.”
“Scott Reef is the unknown jewel in the crown of Australia’s offshore reefs. There would be a national outcry if Woodside was drilling for oil and gas on the Great Barrier Reef, we need the same kind of response here,” said Mr Pritchard.
“Broome banded together and successfully defeated Woodside in 2013. We need the community’s support again here to protect Scott Reef and the Kimberley coast from Woodside for good.”
Over 1,000 people call to protect Broome's Entrance Point reef from industrial jetty
Over 1,000 people have sent a letter to Minister for Ports David Michael calling for the protection of Broome's Entrance Point Reef from an industrial jetty primarily for the oil and gas industry.
Mark Coles-Smith, Michael Jalaru Torres and Paul Boon call for the protection of Entrance Point Reef Photo: Damian Kelly
Entrance Point Reef is a well-loved marine wonderland with over 40 species of coral, clown fish, shellfish and crustaceans. Locals regard it as a premier land-based fishing spot and a popular reef exploring area. Already, damage to the area has been done. You can read more here CALL TO STOP DESTRUCTIVE DRILLING AT ENTRANCE POINT REEF IN BROOME
“The community is calling on Minister for Ports David Michael to protect Entrance Point Reef which is a premier land-based fishing spot and the most popular reef exploring area in Broome from an industrial jetty which is mainly for the oil and gas industry," Environs Kimberley Director of Strategy Martin Pritchard said.
Naomi Pigram, Ngaire Pigram and Amanda McInerney call for the protection of Entrance Point Reef. Photo Damian Kelly
To send a letter to the Minister david Michael, go here Letter to Protect Entrance Point Reef
To sign a hard copy petition or help get signatures contact the EK Office on 0891921922 To stay informed on this issue, follow our link, scroll down & sign up: https://bit.ly/StayInformedWithEK
: Damian Kelly