Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation slams plan to transform Cockatoo Island into oil and gab service hub

Traditional owners of a remote island off the Kimberley coast have slammed a widely circulated private proposal to transform it into a service hub for the growing oil and gas industry. The Broome Advertiser reported last week that Kimberley Technology Solutions had unveiled plans for a $100 million redevelopment of Cockatoo Island, pictured, 130km north of Derby, including a floating wharf, landing strip and 100-person accommodation site. The project was recently given lead agency status by the State Government and was predicted to create 200 construction and 110 ongoing jobs. A statement by KTS last month said the company had already started discussions with potential users of the port, which is believed to include Inpex and Shell Australia, which both operate in the Browse Basin, 425km off the Broome coast. But Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation chairman Francis Woolagoodja said traditional owners did not support a multi-user island hub and that heritage and environmental issues would have to be addressed. “(The) announcement by KTS came as a surprise — we were not consulted about the statement,” he said. “Cockatoo Island is a place of cultural and environmental significance to our community — we believe that consultations have a long way to go before any industrial proposal could go ahead. “We take our role as custodians of Cockatoo Island very seriously and would not want to see the heritage values or community interests compromised in any way.” KTS managing director David Campbell said there had been regular consultation with stakeholders, including DAC since 2017. “We take our social, cultural and environmental responsibilities seriously and no development will take place until all necessary government approvals and other consents are obtained, including the signing of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with traditional owners,” he said. “We will continue to engage the DAC to understand environmental and cultural sensitivities and to develop appropriate management plans to manage any potential impacts. We are committed to maximising value from the (supply base) for Kimberley communities and businesses, through a focus on maintaining and creating local jobs and services.” The Shire of Derby-West Kimberley has written to the State Government in support of the redevelopment. KTS is planning to begin operating in 2022.