MEDIA RELEASE May 2, 2012 Broomes Cable Beach under threat from Browse dredging?

Environment groups say dredging for the proposed gas hub at James Price Point could affect Broomes Cable Beach, after new information about the proposal showed a massive increase in dredge spoil. The Environmental Protection Authority today announced1 a further delay to the release of its report on the Browse gas strategic assessment. The announcement cited new information from the proponent about an increase in dredge spoil, from 21 million tonnes to 34 million tonnes, equivalent to filling Perths Subiaco Oval to the top of the goal posts more than 85 times. The previous dredge modeling,2 which showed the influence of dredging reaching the northern end of Broomes Cable Beach, has been shown to be inadequate, sending the government back to the drawing board. It is astounding that there was such a vast underestimate of the amount of dredging and blasting required for the proposed port at James Price Point, said Environs Kimberley Director Martin Pritchard. Our own scientific studies showed the dredge modelling was seriously flawed but we are very concerned other studies into whales, dolphins, turtles, sawfish, monsoon vine thickets and bilbies are completely inadequate and are not being revisited, said Wilderness Society Coordinator Peter Robertson. The groups said there were now serious questions about the influence of dredging coming further south and affecting Cable Beach and possibly even Roebuck Bay, given the 60% increase in dredge spoil. The Kimberley coast is in the top 4% of the least spoiled marine areas in the world.3 The oceans here are a globally significant marine wonderland and Cable Beach is regularly rated among the best in the world.4 If the State and Federal governments are serious about protecting the Kimberley coast then they must reject this proposal; its way too risky to jeopardise an international tourism drawcard like Cable Beach, said Australian Conservation Foundation Kimberley Project Officer Wade Freeman.

Media Contacts Below

Browse LNG report expected mid-year WA Environmental Protection Authority http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/News/mediaStmnts/Pages/BrowseLNGreportexpectedmid-year.aspx?pageID=309&url=News/mediaStmnts

2

Appendix C-13, BLNG Precinct Dredging and Spoil Disposal Assessment WA Department of State Development Page 70 Figure 5-19 http://www.dsd.wa.gov.au/documents/Browse_SAR_Appendix_C-13.pdf
3

WA Government (2009) Protecting the Kimberley A synthesis of scientific knowledge to support conservation management in Kimberley region of Western Australia http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/5180/2191/ In Search Of The Worlds Best Beaches http://press.expedia.com.au/travel-inspiration/search-world-s-best-beaches-113

Martin Pritchard, Environs Kimberley 0427 548 075 Peter Robertson, The Wilderness Society 0409 089 020 Wade Freeman, Australian Conservation Foundation 0437 107 605