Scott Reef is one of the most spectacular and important coral reefs in Australia. Although lesser known, it rivals the famous World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef for the diversity of ocean wildlife that’s found there.
Located 270 km off the Kimberley Coast, Scott Reef supports almost a thousand species, including reef-building corals and fish, endangered turtles and sea snakes, and migratory whales, like the endangered pygmy blue whale.
Green and hawksbill turtles nest during the summer months on Sandy Islet on South Scott Reef, a narrow sliver of sand that lies less than 2m above sea level and which provides critical nesting habitat for a genetically distinct population of green turtles that swim hundreds of kilometres to lay their eggs here.
Scott Reef is also Australia’s last remaining habitat for the endangered dusky sea snake.
But Scott Reef is under threat and we need your help to protect it.
Woodside, a major fossil fuel company, is proposing to drill over 50 gas wells around Scott Reef’s world-class and fragile coral ecosystem to access the Browse offshore gas field. This is completely unacceptable, posing major risks to marine wildlife.
It would also be a major contributor to Woodside’s proposed Burrup Hub onshore gas processing facility which is a climate disaster that will produce billions of tonnes of emissions, fuelling the climate crisis. Right now, Woodside is seeking approval from the WA and Australian governments to develop the Browse offshore gas field and extend its Burrup Hub facility until 2070.
The WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has raised significant concerns about the Browse project, citing threats to migrating whales, endangered turtles, and the risk of an oil spill.
Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, and WA Environment Minister, Reece Whitby, hold the future of Scott Reef in their hands. They have the power to reject Woodside’s destructive plans, and protect this incredible marine ecosystem.
We’ve joined with other leading conservation groups in calling on the WA and federal governments to respect the independent scientific advice and expert opinion, and reject Woodside’s application to develop Browse fossil gas.
Join us in calling on these ministers to make the right decision for Scott Reef.
Woodside’s Browse project and Burrup Hub would not only disrupt endangered marine life, it would generate billions of tonnes of emissions, fuelling the climate crisis.
Add your voice to the growing movement against Woodside’s gas expansion. Together, we can protect Scott Reef and ensure it remains a safe haven for marine life, and reduce further climate destruction.
Standing up to protect Scott Reef and our climate has never been more important.
Header image of an endangered dusky sea snake at Scott Reef, courtesy of Greenpeace.