Ian,
You may be confusing the processes a little and assuming a bit too much from
this one report. The process developed by Inpex may indeed be used as evidence
under the normal processes of applying for development approval under the EPBC
Act. However, this is likely to be a two stage process (see my previous email
to this forum regarding the strategic assessment -
http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/archives/html/birding-aus/2008-02/msg00296.html).
Even then, the terms of reference for any eventual development have yet to be
calculated, so there is plenty of time to influence the process.
However, everyone I am sure is sympathetic with your general concerns. The
standard of ecological impact assessment, the rigour of baseline surveys and
the interpretation of ecological data is often poor and in my professional
opinion, this reflects a poor level of expectation and understanding of best
practice techniques. I have not read the report concerned but if you can spot
weaknesses, it is likely many others will also. It is a problem if reports of
this nature can reach the printer without proponents realising how poorly they
are likely to be received by an always-well-informed public.
If the points you raise are to make a substantial difference, I would take some
time to understand the process first and perhaps coordinate with a conservation
group and other similarly minded individuals to put together evidence that
could be used.
Regards,
Simon Mustoe.
Director, AES Applied Ecology Solutions PL.
> Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:42:07 +1100
> From:
> To: ; ;
> ;
> CC:
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Re: Kimberley Coast destruction planned. Plese read.
>
> Hi all
>
> If you are interested in the protection of the Kimberley coast and
> concerned about the proposal to build a massive LNG plant on Maret
> Island, you should read this;
> http://www.inpex.com.au/upload/docs/DEV-EXT-RP-0014_Rev_4.pdf. Rather
> than address consequences of a major industrial development, the 162
> pages of this document reads more like a hypothetical course outline for
> a first year ecology student. (example of avian management, see page 116).
>
> Within the document, there are no adequate processes recommended to
> identify adverse impacts on birds, there are no management prescriptions
> to protect birds. There are no mention of strategies to avoid impacts on
> birds from ongoing plant operations, gas flare and night lights etc.
> etc. With a proposal of this magnitude, at the very least, there
> should be some recommended process for evaluating evidence.
>
> I would like to see independent consultative groups of experts
> adjudicating on natural and cultural heritage values of the area and
> given authority to make binding decisions on the proponent. In this
> instance however the methodology is irrelevant because there is
> absolutely no need to build a central processing facility for LNG in the
> Kimberley.
>
> The preferred alternative to LNG processing on Maret Island or any part
> of the Kimberley coast is piping directly to the existing gas processing
> facilities on Burrup Peninsula in the Pilbara, well away from the
> Kimberley and any passerine flyway. And the proponent should pay for
> the pipeline costs. Don't worry, they can afford it. LNG is selling
> to our whale friendly neighbours on long term contracts for the
> ridiculously cheap price of less than 10 cents per litre,
> http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22374847-3122,00.html
>
> The Hon Mr Garret has informed us in his recent press release
> http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2008/video-tr20080205.html
> that "While our search for a single hub will focus on the Kimberley, we
> will also consider options outside the region". So we now know that
> Govt. is looking at one only processing site to avoid ad-hoc
> developments in naturally valuable areas such as the Kimberley coast..
>
> As a humble retired Kimberley fisherman and before that, an officer of
> the SA Department of Environment serving in the outback with
> responsibility for among other things, writing wildlife and park
> management plans for remote areas including the Cooper Basin Oil fields,
> experience taught me that petrochemical companies run by accountants
> have one major aim and that is to make money for shareholders.
> Environmental and social consequences from proposed developments
> although given lip service are rarely considered seriously except in the
> context of how to get around problems to obtain a project approval.
>
> The concept of abandoning such a proposal as this to conserve natural
> values is almost unheard of. Oil companies will relentlessly pressure
> Govt. for acceptance of their proposals usually convincing the people
> with the power that the project is in the national interest and that
> minimal environmental sacrifice is justified. It is distressing that
> the natural values of the Kimberley coast could be traded for a no
> better treason than to subsidize cheap international gas sales. Where
> does that serve the national interest?
>
> Regards
>
>
>
> Ian May
>
>
> St Helens Marine Services
> PO Box 110, St Helens. Tas 7216
> Ph 03 6376 1966
> Ph 03 6312 1123
>
> Mob: 0428337956
>
> Ian May wrote:
>
> > Hi all
> >
> > Our birding fraternity should be aware that a Japanese? consortium,
> > Inpex Pty Ltd intends to develop a gas processing plant on Maret
> > Islands on the Kimberley Coast.
> > http://www.projectconnect.com.au/Project_Details.asp?PID=335 Located
> > at 14'26" S, 124'59" E in the north eastern part of the Buccaneer
> > archipelago, the Maret Islands are part of the most untouched, truly
> > pristine area of Australia's coast, an area so remote that few
> > observers have ever visited them. Till now, its remote location has
> > assisted to protect the area but remoteness is a two edged sword
> > because now, without adequate Govt. legislation to protect them, their
> > isolation is contributing to the lack of public knowledge and
> > awareness that is being exploited by Inpex through proposals to
> > develop the area.
> > >From 1992 to 1999, my wife Patricia and I were commercial fisherman
> > regularly working the areas adjacent to Maret Islands for Beche-de-mer
> > (Trepang) and Spanish Mackerel.. We soon learned that these island
> > and the surrounding Kimberley coast are one of the most precious and
> > special areas that exist teeming with diverse marine and terrestrial
> > wildlife. On this list we often hear about the importance of Ashmore
> > Reef to birds but other not so well known island and reef systems in
> > the area are just as important but for additional reasons. The Maret,
> > Montilivet and Cassini Island groups lay within a passerine migration
> > corridor that is the shortest route from Indonesia to Cape Voltaire
> > and Cape Bougainville on the mainland of Australia. At anchor during
> > calm moonless nights of March and April, with deck lights on, masses
> > of passerines comprising many hundreds of flycatchers, swallows,
> > pipits, drongos and other unidentified birds would silently flutter
> > past through our arcs of light heading north. To a lesser extent we
> > would also observe this in late July, August as well when birds were
> > headed south.
> > Often we would notice that our deck lights would disorientated birds
> > and when this was observed, we would shut off the lights. It beggars
> > belief that anyone would contemplate building any light structure, not
> > withstanding a flaming gas processing structure any where near this
> > passerine migration flyway. Additional to this, during the wet
> > season the Maret Island are also a breeding location for Roseate and
> > also Bridled Terns. Of significance Rose-crowned Pigeons and
> > Kimberley Honeyeater and anyones guess what else, are numerous there too.
> >
> > Anyone interested in birds should watch these development proposals
> > with concern, find out what is proposed and be prepared to bring the
> > roof down if the people with the power allow this one to proceed.
> > Notwithstanding additional cost, off shore ship based processing
> > plants could be developed west of the passerine flyway and avoid most
> > of these impacts. Anyone know the email address of Peter Garrett and
> > the "Save the Kimberley Group"?
> >
> >
> > Regards
> >
> >
> > Ian May
> > PO Box 110
> > St Helens, Tasmania 72126
> >
> >
> >
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