- Extending Woodside’s North West Shelf gas operation for another 50 years locks Australia in to billions of tonnes of additional greenhouse gas emissions
- Extension will drive the Browse Basin oil and gas project that threatens Scott Reef, Australia’s most extensive offshore coral reef system
- Test for Albanese government’s climate credentials – federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has the opportunity to prevent this environmental disaster and demonstrate climate leadership
The Western Australian Government’s approval to extend the operation of Woodside’s massive North West Shelf gas project for another half century is a reckless decision that jeopardises global efforts to combat climate change and flies in the face of the Australian Government’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, the Australian Marine Conservation Society said today.
The North West Shelf extension is a cornerstone of the Burrup Hub, which would be one of the dirtiest carbon polluting projects in Australia, projected to emit billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases over its lifespan. The final decision now lies with federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, who has the opportunity to prevent this environmental disaster.
AMCS WA Director Paul Gamblin said: “The WA Government’s decision undermines Australia’s climate commitments and exacerbates the escalating impacts of climate change. It defies logic to expand a massive fossil fuel project for another half century when the world must drastically cut emissions to reach net zero by 2050.
“Globally we are witnessing record high temperatures and devastating impacts on marine ecosystems. The Great Barrier Reef is reeling from repeated coral bleaching events, and WA’s Ningaloo Reef has suffered bleaching in recent years.
“Enabling this extension also puts Scott Reef – Australia’s largest offshore coral reef – at severe risk. Drilling would occur very close to this extraordinary marine wonder. Governments have come under intense pressure from pro-gas interests to allow drilling around this coral reef to feed vast quantities of fossil gas into its North West Shelf processing plant.
“Approval of Woodside’s Burrup Hub would risk further major damage to UNESCO World Heritage-nominated rock art on Murujuga from acid gas pollution.
“Corporate interests are once again taking precedence over environmental and cultural protection, and community wellbeing. The Albanese government now faces a critical test of its climate commitments: will it side with fossil fuel corporations or act decisively in the public’s interest?
“This massive fossil fuel project is an environmental risk we simply cannot take. Allowing this project to proceed will lock Australia into decades of additional climate pollution, while the rest of the world moves towards renewable energy. It is time for our leaders to chart a sustainable course that prioritises our planet’s future.”
AMCS Patron Tim Winton and WA Director Paul Gamblin recently visited Scott Reef as part of an expedition to highlight the ecological significance of this region. The proposed Browse Basin (Scott Reef) project, which would feed the North West Shelf extension, includes drilling 50 gas wells dangerously close to this extraordinary coral ecosystem.
Footage of the spectacular Scott Reef and interviews with Tim Winton and Paul Gamblin from the voyage are available here.