Senator LUDLAM-There is a national heritage application in play at the moment for the Kimberley which was reduced to cover a large fraction of the West Kimberley. Can you provide us with an update of where that is up to?

Mr Shevlin-The Heritage Council was required to provide its advice to the minister on the West Kimberley by 30 June which it did. The minister, under the EPBC Act, has 90 business days-which is until 5 November-to make a decision or to extend the period for making his decision, which could be, for example, if he decides that further consultation is required.

Senator LUDLAM-I have some questions about the so-called Burrup and so-called Kimberley national heritage listings as well, so if we could go to those and maybe we will take them in that order. For the national heritage listing of the Burrup Peninsula, which I think was concluded in 2007, can you tell us what are the current management arrangements in place for that area, I guess with a view towards Commonwealth arrangements in particular?

Woodside's proposal for a mega gas hub at Price Point, just north of Broome, should be re-jigged to avoid unnecessary national and international uproar, Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Broome this morning.

"Having visited the scenically stunning site where Woodside wants to plonk this massive factory, I now look forward to discussing good options with Don Voelte, Woodside's CEO," Senator Brown said.

Australian Greens Aboriginal Issues spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert has used a visit to the Kimberley to call for a more respectful approach to development in the region, as the WA Government continues moves to compulsory acquire land for a new gas hub.

Senator Siewert was in the Kimberley accompanied by fellow WA Senator Scott Ludlam and Greens Leader Bob Brown for a series of meetings and a visit to James Price Point.

The Australian Greens have criticised the WA Government’s decision to compulsory acquire land for a resources project at James Price Point, saying important human rights and environmental issues are being ignored.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens spokesperson for Aboriginal Issues says the compulsory land acquisition is not acceptable and is a step backwards from meaningful reconciliation.

The Australian Greens are urging the Federal Government to ensure that a successful men’s service in WA's east Kimberley that has been widely praised for tackling alcohol abuse and reducing domestic violence is not forced to close its doors next week.

“Wamba Nilgee Burru Ngardu, also known as Derby Men's Service, accommodates about 60 men a week – providing a place to eat, sleep and wash, while supporting them to turn their lives around,” Senator Rachel Siewert said.

Senator Scott Ludlam asked: Why is the coal seam gas not used directly as transport fuel (compressed natural gas) rather than exporting it as LNG?

Answer:

Coal seam gas (CSG) is currently only used in the east coast domestic gas market and is not being exported as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Questioning by the Australian Greens during Senate Estimates has revealed that three areas within a national heritage zone on WA’s Burrup Peninsular have been affected by blasting and bulldozing.

Greens Senator for WA Rachel Siewert said concerns about damage to the area had first been raised with Federal Heritage Minister Peter Garrett last year.

“The answers given to me by officials from his department yesterday have revealed the damage is extensive and not just in one area,” Senator Siewert said.

Greens Senator for WA Rachel Siewert has urged the Minister for Heritage, Peter Garrett to take seriously potential damage to a national heritage-listed site on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsular.

"We hear that the Heritage Minister's Department has gone to the trouble of seeking expert archaeological and legal advice about whether multinational Cemex has damaged artefacts of national heritage significance on the Burrup," Senator Siewert said.

"We now need to know the outcome of this advice and what Minister Garrett plans to do about it.