- Final government decisions are what matters – this WA Environment Protection Authority process progresses the assessment.
- Scott Reef is too precious to risk
- Browse proposal is a climate bomb – most of the gas will be exported via the North West Shelf facility, unleashing billions of tonnes of greenhouse pollution, worsening marine heatwaves and threatening reefs nationwide.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) said the WA EPA's decision today simply means it will continue assessing Woodside's amendments to part of the Browse Basin project. It does not change the fact that the broader proposal still involves drilling for gas and dumping carbon pollution in Commonwealth waters, right next to the globally significant Scott Reef.
AMCS Fossil Fuel Campaign Manager Louise Morris said, "Woodside's Browse project remains one of the most destructive fossil fuel proposals in Australia's history. The WA EPA's process only covers some state elements. The real decision – whether to allow decades of gas drilling and carbon dumping in Commonwealth waters – sits squarely with the Federal Environment Minister under our national environment law.
"The WA and federal environment Ministers must reject this proposal to protect Scott Reef, our climate and Australia's global reputation as a custodian of unique ocean ecosystems."
Scott Reef is an ancient and spectacular reef system, formed over the past 15 million years and home to over 2,000 marine species, including pygmy blue whales, green sea turtles and the endemic dusky sea snake. Like the famous World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, it is a globally significant biodiversity hotspot.
If the Browse proposal were approved, Scott Reef would be exposed to seismic blasting that kills krill for up to 1.2 km away, displaces endangered whales from their feeding grounds, and causes fatal harm to fragile species such as the dusky sea snake – devastating an irreplaceable ecosystem already under stress from climate-driven marine heatwaves.
"If allowed to proceed, this project would ship most of its gas overseas through Woodside's North West Shelf facility – unleashing a carbon bomb of billions of tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution, fueling more marine heatwaves and pushing our ocean and reefs to the brink.
"The state and federal Ministers have a clear choice: protect Scott Reef and our climate, or approve one of the dirtiest fossil fuel projects in Australia's history. This must be the moment they say no," Ms Morris said.
AMCS is assessing the EPA's response and will continue to engage in the process, noting that the final WA EPA report will be subject to a three-week public appeal period before any final decision on the modification is made. The final assessment and decision of the proposal will need to be made by both WA and federal governments.
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Header image: Nush Freedman Photography
