Kimberley Aboriginal leaders call for a moratorium on fracking

Kimberley Aboriginal leaders have called for the WA State Government to put a moratorium on fracking until there are systems in place to ensure all Kimberley Traditional Owners have the relevant resources and information to make an informed decision about what happens on their country.

The moratorium was discussed and voted on at a public meeting for Kimberley Traditional Owners at Yurmulun (Pandanus Park) Community, about 60 kilometres south of Derby.

Around thirty Aboriginal people attended the open forum meeting.

CEO of KRED Enterprises, Wayne Bergmann, says it is something that needs to be discussed collectively.

“We’re concerned about the lack of information on the table about whether fracking can be done safely or not. Fracking will have a regional impact and if it can’t be done safely, it will affect all of us. We need companies in our backyard to step up and earn their social license to operate by ensuring all Aboriginal groups have the relevant information so we can make an informed decision.”

A plan of action was also agreed upon, with a bush meeting scheduled for late August where Traditional Owners will articulate a vision for how they would like to see development progress in the Kimberley.

Mr Bergmann says it’s crucial local Aboriginal stakeholders have a say about the future of their region.

“Part of this vision for development of the Kimberley, is about protecting our environmental and cultural values, while also ensuring our people can participate in sustainable economic development,” Mr Bergmann says.

A large part of the Canning Superbasin was represented at the meeting with attendees travelling from Broome, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Derby.

Kimberley Traditional Owners refuse to be Australia’s guinea pig

Traditional Owners will meet at Yurmulun Community (Pandanus Park) on Thursday 17th July to discuss Mitsubishi-Buru’s controversial plans to frack for shale and tight gas in the Kimberley without an EPA assessment.

Despite State Government approval for Mitsubishi-Buru’s 2014 pilot fracking program, Nyikina Mangala Traditional Owners are concerned over the lack of environmental monitoring.

“We need to ensure environmental checks and balances are in place right from the start,” says Nyikina Mangala Traditional Owner and PBC Director Anthony Watson. “While Mitsubishi-Buru might be adhering to government standards, experience has taught us that often government isn’t at sufficient arm’s length from business to make a proper decision.”

“Fracking opponents in the United States talk of irrevocable damage to river systems and water supplies. We need to be absolutely confident Mitsubishi-Buru has the capability to undertake this safely,” Mr. Watson says.

The meeting comes only weeks after the Yungngora Community at Noonkanbah Station publically backed Mitsubishi-Buru’s plans to frack for gas at their Asgard well in the second half of this year.

Nyikina Mangala PBC Chairperson Wayne Bergmann is not surprised by the community’s position.

“When people are desperate for economic stimulation, it’s not surprising they hope fracking can be done safely. But we don’t want to be Australia’s guinea pig.”

“Until Nyikina Mangala have had the chance to hear from and consider the advice of independent experts on Mitsubishi-Buru’s frack plans, we cannot make an informed decision about what happens on our country,” Mr Bergmann says.

Invitees to the bush meeting include Yawuru Traditional Owners, members of the Ambooriny Burru Foundation (represented by KRED Enterprises) and any other Kimberley Traditional Owners concerned they may be impacted by the effects of fracking.

“This meeting is about getting organised to protect the things that are important to us,” Mr Bergmann says.

Traditional Owner meeting to discuss fracking

Wayne Bergmann appointed to Northern Australia Advisory Group

As you’re no doubt aware, the Australian Government has a vision for opening northern Australia to development. Wayne Bergmann, CEO of KRED Enterprises, has been appointed as a member on the Northern Australia Advisory Group. Here’s some of his thoughts on the prestigious position:

“It’s important for northern Australia to build on its strengths and natural values, while also increasing the opportunity to bring in services that currently don’t exist. I’m hoping to bring a perspective to the role shaped by being the chair of the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance.”

The White Paper on Developing Northern Australia is due to be released later in the year and we’ll keep you posted with updates. Make sure you also  ‘Like’ us on Facebook because this is where we share our big stories first! https://www.facebook.com/KREDEnterprises

Minister Lauds our Leader

In Perth on Friday, the WA Minister for Water Mia Davies praised Wayne Bergmann’s Aboriginal pastoral vision and offered her full support. The Minister delivered the speech at the CEDA event ‘National Agriculture Series Leadership in agriculture: Seizing the Opportunity.’ Here’s an excerpt:

‘Wayne Bergmann and his team … are setting up a framework for mosaic irrigation along the Fitzroy River to help Aboriginal stations lift their combined herd from its current 25,000 head, to 100,000. While beef is a primary target, they are also interested in land tenure changes that broaden the economic base of their stations and allow the creation of irrigation precincts for high value food crops for export.’

‘Half of all Kimberley Pastoral Stations are now in Aboriginal hands, with many of them strategically placed along the Fitzroy River and its tributaries. There is an opportunity of a lifetime to engage with Aboriginal pastoralists, traditional owners and Indigenous leaders like Wayne to negotiate partnerships and pathways to lift productivity in the Kimberley,’ the Minister said.

Pictured above – there’s not only cattle on our Kimberley stations but also herds of haughty camels. For more photos of the pastoral project check out our Instagram account: http://instagram.com/kredenterprises