HORIZONTAL FALLS MINING PETITION

hfallsinfo · Newbie

HORIZONTAL FALLS MINING PETITION

Dougie · Veteran Member

RE: HORIZONTAL FALLS KIMBERLEY MINING THREAT

pricey43 · Guru

RE: HORIZONTAL FALLS MINING PETITION

tonyd · Guru

At the risk of being thought difficult, I saw the announcement of this mining plan and it made clear that the falls themselves were NOT part of the mine area. Mining, if it goes ahead, may be carried out in the general region, but not at the falls themselves or anywhere near them.
It's rather like the gas hub plan for James Price point which has attracted so much negative, kneejerk reaction. We in WA reserve the right to develop the resources of this State. If that involves a minuscule part of the Kimberley coast being used, so be it.
The indigenous people had plenty of opportunity to negotiate on the gas plan, but as usual got bogged down in fighting among themselves and now face losing out because of their internal squabbling.
Cheers, Tony

hfallsinfo · Newbie

Hi Tony

I drive in and out from Hedland to Broome every eight days and have been working in a Heritage role for a large mining company for the past three years

Whilst I am not against the resources boom here in our state, I am against the development of such a remote untouched area, that will end up like Karratha and Hedland, once the flood doors are open many more will follow

Although increased employment would benifit the region, prices for rent and housing would triple

The Kimberley is the jewel in the crown and tourism would be greatly affected, from both here in Australia and overseas

I have also lived on ****atoo Island and have seen tourism fail first hand due to a mining conection

Regards

Simon
hfallsinfo

JRH · Guru

tonyd wrote:

At the risk of being thought difficult, I saw the announcement of this mining plan and it made clear that the falls themselves were NOT part of the mine area. Mining, if it goes ahead, may be carried out in the general region, but not at the falls themselves or anywhere near them.
It's rather like the gas hub plan for James Price point which has attracted so much negative, kneejerk reaction. We in WA reserve the right to develop the resources of this State. If that involves a minuscule part of the Kimberley coast being used, so be it.
The indigenous people had plenty of opportunity to negotiate on the gas plan, but as usual got bogged down in fighting among themselves and now face losing out because of their internal squabbling.
Cheers, Tony

Why do we always have to sacrifice some pristine area for the sake of the almighty DOLLAR?

Cruising Granny · Guru

Broome has already suffered because of the high cost of, and the lack of caravan accommodation.
I'm currently in Cairns after living in Broome for 9 years, in a van park, and in the Kimberley region 11 years.
The people I have spoken to who have come this way via Broome, were horrified at the cost of van park sites, and the lack of space, despite the availability of overflow areas.
I know as much as everyone else that it's a difficult situation for the region. Everything is packed to overflowing for just 3 months of the year, and then it all goes quiet between September and June.
The development of the gas plant at James Price Point is a worry. The plant will be a major, huge construction, and then it will need staff and support services, all provided through Broome. In one way it will be another boom for Broome. On the other hand it will cause historical damage to a great feature of the Dampier Peninsula coast. The offshore barge option would have been preferable.
I doubt the mining company would actually mine in the waterfall. I do believe it could be in the vicinity of the waterfalls. What would the impact be on the pearling industry in Talbot Bay?
What would the impact be on the fishing and prawning industry in Talbot Bay?
Putting all this new pressure on the infrastructure of Broome could be as negative as it is positive in the short term.
The Port facilities have been upgraded to cope. Obviously the roads on Dampier Peninsula will be upgraded to cope with traffic, heavy mining traffic and additional passenger vehicle traffic.
Where will the staff be housed? In town or out at the gas plant site in a village?
Mining the sediment on the ocean floor in the vicinity of Talbot Bay could be detrimental to the existing industries, in addition to the tourist industry, although it will provide another tour feature to add to the itinerary.
I'd need to see more details of the plan before I protested. Would the detriment outweigh the benefits?

hfallsinfo · Newbie

Hi Cruising Granny

Great reply from someone who is aware of the difficult future facing Broome

Paspaley pulled out there Pearl leases in Talbot bay at the beginning of the 2010 season, due to the current world economic down turn in the Pearl trade

Basically the Broome shire has the answers to a lot of your concerns, but as they are still trying to decide who should have control over the Camels on Cable beach, plus if to ban vehicles driving on the beach, I have my doubts as to there pulling power on anything that relates to protect Broome

With the big noise on Opra Windfrey coming to Australia but missing out WA, maybe Colin Barnett should fly here over Hedland and Karratha and show here the beaty that has been dstroyed on the Pilbara coast, which could mirror Broome in the near future

Firefly · Guru

In 2008, my partner and I were lucky, no, privledged to be taken to the Horizontal Waterfalls and it was magnificant. Part of our trip to the falls involved a plane flight over the surrounding area. The sights were magnificant, the land pristine and perfect.

Us too consider it one of the biggest highlights of our trip and cannot recommend it enough.

Could you start an online petition of some sort as many of us would not be able to sign at your location?

I live in NSW in the Hunter Valley which is all mining. The countryside here is not worth the effort to look at anymore.