Bob Brown joins Sea Shepherd's gas hub protest

Outbackjack: The former Greens leader Bob Brown says a gas hub near Broome in Western Australia will cause untold damage to the local environment.

The Kimberley coast is home to the southern hemisphere's largest humpback whale calving grounds.

Woodside, which wants to build a gas hub at James Price Point worth more than $30 billion, says it is confident it can manage any impacts on the whales during construction.

The Sea Shepherd's anti whaling protest ship 'Steve Irwin' has arrived in Broome to highlight the risks a hub poses.

Outbackjack: Dr Brown says whale nurseries off the Kimberley coast will be put in danger if the project goes ahead.

He says the ship has already spotted whales today.

"As they were sailing down the coast this morning off James Price Point, there were whales between this ship, three miles out, and the shore, breaching with calves," he said.

"The question we all have to answer is "Can the whale nursery go somewhere else? No it can't.

"Can the world's biggest gas factory go somewhere else? Yes it can."

Dr Brown says the protest is on behalf of the whales.

"Their singing in the ocean is not being listened to by Woodside, or indeed at this stage by the Government in Perth and in Canberra," he said.

"Our intention is to let Australians see what a magnificent place this is and how it should remain part of the cultural and natural history of this nation."
Traditional supporters

A group of traditional owners is hoping to change Dr Brown's mind about the gas hub when they meet him today.

Waardi Limited is an Aboriginal company which was created to manage native title benefits on behalf of traditional owners.

Company head Warren Greatorex says senior elders are also keen to correct misconceptions about the project.

"The information that is going out at the moment is fuelling anger and frustration not only throughout the anti gas campaigners, but also the TOs in the native title party," he said.

"So, again it's just giving him a different angle from our side."

ABC NEWS Australia