The Kimberley Land Council disclosed the breakdown of negotiations over the $30 billion gas hub at James Price Point.

Council spokesman Wayne Bergmann said, “We're asking that there be a plan in place to ensure the local Aboriginal people are involved in marine management; that it is not open slather for workers when they come up there, to travel anywhere around the Dampier Peninsula.”

The project would create 6,000 jobs in the area, but traditional land owners want some guarantees. The State Government has now warned that attempts to seize Aboriginal land for any mining or energy exploration in Kimberley would be dealt with accordingly.

Oil and gas exploration company Woodside (WPLCD) and its joint-venture partners decided to process its gas reserves at James Price Point. The site for its Liquefied Natural Gas processing facility is 60 kilometres north of Broome.

The decision given in February was a blow to conservationists. Hopes were placed on the venture partners opting to pipe the gas to the Pilbara.

Woodside expects to spend $1.25 billion on the project before a final investment decision is made in the middle of 2012.

The independent oil and gas company began operations in 1954. Its Pluto Foundation Project is expected to produce gas by the end of this year.