A police operation at the site of a proposed gas hub is expected to prove costly for Woodside Petroleum. Source: PerthNow
THE cost of a police operation to protect the interests of Woodside Petroleum against anti-gas hub protesters in WA's remote Kimberley region is expected to exceed six figures.
WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan today revealed the operation involving more than 140 officers - or by some local estimates, more than 200 of them - was costing taxpayers $1 million over 10 days.
Protesters are camped along Minari Road leading to James Price Point - about 60km north of the tourist town of Broome - the site of Woodside's $30 billion Browse liquid natural gas hub.
Police with riot gear started arriving in Broome over the weekend and yesterday more than 100 officers escorted a convoy of Woodside survey equipment past the camp.
They are expected to remain in the area to protect further Woodside convoys amid hopes there won't be a repeat of the violent clashes between protesters and officers that occurred in August, as the activists tried to prevent heavy machinery being brought in.
Perth Now
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