The Generator

The move comes after Premier Colin Barnett admitted defeat in his long-running attempts to negotiate a consent agreement with the traditional Aboriginal landowners.

Mr Barnett issued the controversial acquisition instructions today amid fears that major resources projects were being put at risk by the delays.

Oil and gas giant Woodside - which intends to use the gas plant for a proposed $30 billion LNG project in the Browse Basin - issued a statement saying the move would provide greater certainty for the development.

Mr Barnett said the acquisition could take up to 18 months to finalise and he had not given up hope that an agreement could still be reached with the traditional owners in the meantime. He said discussions with them would continue in parallel to the acquisition process.

 

The Premier said he had not taken the decision lightly and he conceded there could be criticism nationally and even internationally.

2009 Australian of the Year Professor Mick Dodson this week condemned compulsory acquisition as an invasion and theft.

“I expect there will certainly be some angst,” Mr Barnett said.

But he claimed he had been “remarkably patient” in trying to negotiate an agreement.

He said the disputes that had now arisen between the local Aboriginal people, who were divided on the plan, had simply stymied the process.

The area involved is unallocated crown land at James Price Point, 60 km north of Broome.

Mr Barnett said $1.5 billion of benefits would flow to the traditional owners under a ‘heads of agreement’ signed last year between Woodside, the state government and the Kimberley Land Council before the negotiations broke down, and that agreement would be honoured under the compulsory acquisition.

He said the benefits, including jobs, business opportunities, health, education, housing and training opportunities as well as cash, would help end welfare dependency.