Kimberley fracking plan becomes most contested project in WA history
Western Australia’s environmental watchdog has received an unprecedented number of objections following plans by a Texan-owned oil and gas company to greenlight plans to frack the Kimberley.
The Environmental Protection Agency WA received more than 8,000 submissions regarding Black Mountain Energy’s Valhalla project near Derby.
Despite receiving the initial green light from the EPA, the project has failed to gain approval from the state’s Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn.
The number of objections makes the Valhalla project the most controversial decision in the state’s history; the previous WA EPA objection record was 727 for Woodside’s Northwest Shelf project.
The state government has released a statement from the Objections Convenor stating that “while our team will work as efficiently as possible to progress all matters, a significant volume of objections may result in delays in responding within our usual timeframes.”
The approved proposal is for a 20-well exploration project subject to strict conditions, including ensuring groundwater is not contaminated by any activity.
This is the first hydraulic fracturing project approved in WA since 2019, when the Canning Basin in the Kimberley was declared the only area in WA where gas extraction would be permitted.
Fracking uses hydraulic pressure to break up gas-filled rock formations miles underground, releasing tight and shale gas, which then moves upward through a sealed pipe.
Environs Kimberley managing director Martin Pritchard said the number of objections against the project reflected community anger and the serious risks posed by the proposal.
“The Kimberley is home to some of the most pristine tropical savanna woodland anywhere in the world, spectacular waterfalls and gorges, and wildlife seen nowhere else in the world,” he said.
“Black Mountain Energy’s application to the EPA acknowledges that the chemicals they would pump into the ground could cause severe burns, genetic mutations and organ toxicity.
“Thousands of community members are standing up to say the Kimberley is worth preserving, and we will not allow Texan-owned Black Mountain Energy to destroy this unique splendor.”
Conservation Council WA executive director Matt Roberts said thousands of Western Australians “seized the opportunity to voice their objections loud and clear to this project”.
“The EPA got it seriously wrong, but the final decision on this project will rest with the Cook government and the environment minister,” he said.
“It’s clear the WA community doesn’t want fracking in the Kimberley and neither does WA Labor. voted for a statewide ban at its conference at the end of last year.
“EPA should never have recommended in favor of this project.”
Roberts said he had asked the Appeals Chair to recommend that Valhalla be rejected on the grounds that no evidence had been presented that there would be no impacts to threatened species, groundwater or the Martuwarra Fitzroy River National Heritage area.
“We are also concerned about the precarious financial ability of promoters to meet the already inadequate rehabilitation requirements under EPA terms, let alone a catastrophic water contamination event,” he said.
“EPA relied on advocate’s loose and unsubstantiated claims about managing wastewater contamination risks, which leads us to fear that there is no significant plan in place to deal with the problem or fund post-event cleanup efforts.”
When the Valhalla project was first given the green light on January 20, Black Mountain Energy’s executive chairman, Rhett Bennett, called it an encouraging step forward and “a testament to the company’s resilience, quality of work, and commitment to the project.”
“I have a strong belief in the extensive resource development opportunity available on our permit in the Canning Basin. Our focus remains on advancing the activity for the benefit of all stakeholders,” he said.
At the time of approval, Minerals and Energy Chamber WA president Aaron Morey welcomed the EPA’s decision, saying it would allow Black Mountain to assess the size of its resource and could unlock a new energy source in the future.
“Continuing to tap into WA’s abundant gas reserves is vital to protect families and businesses from steep increases in energy costs,” he said.
Holly Thompson is a journalist at WAtoday specializing in education and the environment.Connect with: X or email.
