‘Seriously wrong’: activists condemn fracking decision
Opponents of a proposed fracking project in Australia’s far north are lining up to challenge a “failed” approval decision as major companies set their sights on the region’s future development.
The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval of the Valhalla Gas Exploration and Evaluation Program in the Canning Basin, approximately 120 km south-east of Derby.
This could result in Bennett Resources, a subsidiary of US-based Black Mountain Energy, drilling up to 20 wells in the Fitzroy River floodplain to target fossil fuels located up to four kilometers underground.
A record number of applications are expected to be submitted to researchers before February 10, with angry conservation groups vowing to appeal the regulator’s decision.
Surrounding Kimberley says the community doesn’t want the area to turn into Texas gas fields.
“The risk to our clean water, threatened species and the National Heritage-listed Martuwarra Fitzroy River is too high,” Executive Director Martin Pritchard said.
“Our grounds for appeal include that (the authority) failed to adequately assess the risks to threatened species, risks to human health and the social environment, including toxic chemicals.”
Conservation Council WA said the regulator had “seriously misunderstood” but the final decision rested with WA Environment Minister Matt Swinbourn.
“It is clear that the WA community does not want fracking in the Kimberley,” managing director Matt Roberts said.
The council said the regulator had not adequately addressed the project’s potential risks, including the impact on groundwater and the stygofauna that live within it.
“By participating in this appeal process, we hope to provide the minister with the information he needs to make the right decision,” Mr Roberts said.
Gas explorer and producer Buru Energy Limited said the authority’s recommendation for the Valhalla project was a “win” for WA and reinforced the critical role Kimberley onshore gas can play in securing “urgent” energy needs.
“It signals to investors and the community that the Canning Basin is open to responsible, regulated energy development,” CEO Thomas Nador told the ASX.
WA Premier Roger Cook previously said the EPA’s decision was “not a green light for fracking”.
“EPA has made a recommendation that the environmental impacts of that project, Project Valhalla, be managed in a way that they feel comfortable moving forward with,” he said.
“I suspect the decision will be appealed, so I will not comment further.”
Mr Swinbourn said he would consider the appeal convenor’s advice once the process was completed.
Fracking is banned in 98 per cent of WA.
But the government said its policies were “informed by independent scientific research which says fracking in WA can occur with appropriate regulations”.
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