Russell Clarke is worried that the sky will fall in. He's also annoyed that the City of Albany has written to the Environment Minister to express its concerns about the dredging of our channel and dumping the spoils in King George Sound. If Grange have to cart the spoils anywhere else, "the huge cost would be detrimental to the project."
"That is outside (the COA's) jurisdiction," he says. "There is actually an appeals process they can go through to do that, which they chose not to do."
Yes, it is outside their jurisdiction but the Council, like any other group of people, have a right to write to any minister they like. It's called a democracy. And they did try to appeal via official channels, Russell. Their submission was rejected for being eight days late.
"Then we have the Federal Government wanting to put in this Super Profits tax that is going to change the economics of the project," he said. "The Council is wanting to dump further out to sea, the Rudd Government is wanting a super tax and other people are wanting everything else." Bloodsucking vampires, the lot of us.
Russell Clark and Grange Resources have promised the people of Albany all sorts of trinkets and lollies in return for what they term a "terrific project." Already Grange has spent millions investing in real estate. This is a prime example of their commitment to the region - they've bought a farm, so they can mine it.
"Money is being spent, assets are being bought, studies are being done." You know that picture of the skeleton sitting on an armchair, the one that real estate agents like to flourish? The picture of the young man waiting for the price of land to come down? Give us a break, Russell.
"The mine will be spending probably upwards of $3 million into the local economy in one way or another," said Russell. Have a good look at that statement, it's pretty vague and it's the whole extent of promises from Grange that you are getting today. The very same Grange Resources that is nearly 47 percent Chinese owned.
In return for these poxed blankets and beads from Russell and the Albany Port Authority (and haven't these guys been quiet), we allow the Cove to be destroyed permanently, we lose fishing, aquaculture and recreational freedom in King George Sound and we shall witness environmental vandalism on a scale we've not yet experienced in this gorgeous corner of the world.
Quotes taken from The Weekender, May 20, 2010, pg. 3.
I'll bet you enjoyed writing that...I really enjoyed reading it. I uttered a silent cheer that these guys are feeling under pressure - a bit of their own medicine. Good on the COA and good on you for sleuthing this out. The harder we make it for these exploitive self-satisying leeches the more likely they will take their business elsewhere, which in the light of the evolving global economic situation, will only be temporary anyway, but will at least make sure our shores are left intact.
ReplyDeleteRussell Clark once conceded to a local newspaper, "I know that dredging is an emotional issue."
ReplyDeleteSo ... is he saying that if we react unfavourably to his company ripping up the Sound, that we are all a bit emotional?
Who knows. But I bet HE'S feeling a bit emotional watching the Dow Jones see-sawing and commodity prices falling.....then we can make smug comments about how he's feeling too. It's all relative to where you stand isn't it? I think caring about 'country' - land and sea, is more important in the long term than caring about share prices. Anyway, if the economy slows down enough the pipeline and coastal infill won't even be needed, and poor old Russ might be out of a job.
ReplyDelete