Leslie Massey
Fracking in Western Australia has been a highly controversial topic in recent years, with the Western Australian government lifting its moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in 2018, sparking intense opposition from various communities. This move has brought to light several concerns regarding the environmental and cultural impact of fracking in the region. Western Australia is now facing the challenge of balancing economic opportunities and environmental protection, with the debate surrounding fracking continuing to shape the region's future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fracking in Western Australia | Unconventional gas exploration and fracking is already underway in Western Australia with at least nine exploration wells fracked since 2004 |
| Most fracking operations location | The majority of these fracking operations were located in the Mid West region |
| Fracking in Perth Basin | Banned |
| Fracking in Western Australia in 2016 | The state government imposed a moratorium on the process |
| Western Australia government lifts moratorium on fracking | November 2024 |
| Fracking percentage in Western Australia | 2% |
| Fracking in the Kimberley | Shaping up to be one of Australia's next significant political issues |
| Fracking impact on the environment | The process is expected to involve more land clearing in a region that contains the world's most intact tropical savanna |
| Fracking impact on cats | Creating a dense network of tracks throughout the landscape is likely to significantly boost their populations, which is bad news for native mammals and other wildlife preyed upon by cats |
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What You'll Learn
Fracking moratorium lifted in Western Australia
Western Australia has lifted its moratorium on fracking, allowing the controversial drilling practice to take place in certain parts of the state. Fracking involves fracturing the ground to release trapped gas, and has been a divisive issue in Australia, with supporters citing economic benefits and opponents highlighting environmental risks.
In Western Australia, the state government imposed a moratorium on fracking in 2016 due to community concerns about environmental risks. However, in 2018, WA Premier Mark McGowan lifted this ban, allowing fracking on existing titles and subject to veto by Aboriginal groups and farmers. McGowan defended the decision, stating that fracking would create jobs and boost the economy, while also assuring that it would not be permitted without the consent of traditional owners and farmers.
The decision attracted intense opposition from various quarters, including community groups, farmers, MPs, and climate scientists. Critics argue that fracking poses a significant risk to the environment, with concerns about water contamination, groundwater pollution, and the release of methane and other greenhouse gases. There are also worries about the indirect impact on native species, such as the spread of feral cats, which prey on vulnerable native animals.
Despite the criticism, the Western Australian Government maintains that fracking will only be permitted in a small portion of the state, with bans still in place for certain regions, including Perth, the southwest, and the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley. While the government acknowledges the environmental concerns, it also emphasizes the economic opportunities presented by the gas industry, a sector that has seen increased production in recent years to supply liquified gas export terminals.
The debate around fracking in Western Australia continues, with ongoing community campaigns and advocacy efforts by groups such as Frack Free WA, who argue that the risks of fracking are often downplayed by the gas industry and the government. The varying stances and regulations across different Australian states reflect the country's mixed views on unconventional gas exploration and fracking.
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Environmental risks and impacts
One of the primary concerns is the potential impact on water resources. Fracking requires large volumes of water, and there are worries about the contamination of drinking water and aquifers by the chemicals used in the process. Opponents of fracking argue that these chemicals will poison waterways and contaminate groundwater, with potential consequences for human health and the environment.
Fracking is also associated with increased greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Research has shown that carbon pollution from fracking all of Western Australia's potential unconventional gas reserves would exceed Australia's carbon budget under the Paris Agreement multiple times over. This contributes to climate change and has led to concerns about the environmental degradation's impact on community mental health.
In addition to the direct effects on water and air quality, fracking can also have indirect ecological impacts. For example, land clearing and the creation of roads and access tracks for fracking operations can encourage the spread of feral cats, which prey on native and endangered animals, exacerbating one of Australia's most pressing biodiversity issues.
While some argue that fracking is safe and economically beneficial, the potential environmental risks and impacts have led to a divided response in Western Australia, with ongoing debates about the appropriate regulations and restrictions.
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Community opposition and campaigns
Fracking has generated controversy in many parts of the world, with Western Australia being no exception. In 2014, 275 residents of Western Australia wrote a letter to Norwest Energy, stating their opposition to fracking on the Turquoise Coast. This led the company to promise that it would not conduct fracking in that area. However, in 2023, conservation groups accused Norwest Energy of pursuing a controversial fracking project in the Beekeepers Nature Reserve, north of Eneabba. The Conservation Council of Western Australia (CCWA) has stated that there will be strong and sustained opposition to any gas fracking in the EP413 Permit area, which includes parts of the Beekeepers Nature Reserve, due to its globally significant biodiversity values.
In 2016, community concerns about environmental risks led the Western Australian state government to impose a moratorium on fracking. This moratorium was lifted in 2018, allowing fracking in 2% of Western Australia, with much of this area falling in the west Kimberley region. The decision to lift the moratorium was met with intense opposition from large parts of the community, including farmers, MPs, and protesters. The government's decision was also criticised by 26 well-known Australians, including celebrities and scientists, who took out a full-page advertisement in a newspaper pleading with the premier to protect the Kimberley and Mid-West regions from fracking.
The Kimberley region is known for its natural landscapes, globally significant wetlands, free-flowing river systems, and rich cultural heritage. However, it has also been identified as having some of the largest untapped shale gas and tight sands gas reserves in the world, making it a target for fracking operations. Conservationists have warned that fracking in this region could lead to the spread of feral cats, which prey on native and endangered animals, posing a significant threat to Australia's biodiversity.
In addition to community opposition, there has also been division within the government on the issue of fracking. Some government MPs, such as Jessica Shaw and Josie Farrer, have publicly opposed hydraulic fracturing. The Western Australian government has also announced its commitment to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which has raised questions about the future of fracking expansion in the state. While the federal government has identified gas production as central to the country's post-COVID-19 economic recovery, some companies, such as Squadron Energy, have abandoned their fracking interests in the Kimberley due to concerns about the environmental impact of the practice.
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Economic benefits and gas exploration
Western Australia's gas resources represent a significant economic opportunity for the state, with the potential to positively impact its energy strategy and security. The state's gas industry is characterised by the involvement of private corporations and regulatory government bodies. In 2007, the industry produced 30 billion cubic meters of gas, with approximately 65% converted into 12 million tonnes of LNG for export, contributing $16.7 billion to the state's economy.
Western Australia is a significant global player in the natural gas market, with its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production accounting for around 11% of global capacity by the end of 2018. The state's large-scale gas resources offer economic benefits, including new wealth creation for farming businesses and the potential for new jobs.
However, the environmental impacts of gas exploration and fracking have sparked intense debates and opposition in Western Australia. Fracking involves blasting sand, chemicals, and water at high pressure to fracture rock and release trapped gas, which has raised concerns about water contamination and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Conservationists and community members worry about the impact on native species and the spread of feral cats.
In 2016, the Western Australian government imposed a moratorium on fracking due to environmental concerns. However, in 2018, the moratorium was lifted, allowing fracking on existing titles and subject to the approval of Aboriginal groups and farmers. This decision faced intense opposition from various sectors, including community members, farmers, MPs, and climate scientists.
The debate around fracking and gas exploration in Western Australia continues, with the state government considering legislation to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. While some companies have abandoned fracking interests, others have praised the lifting of the ban and plan to resume exploration activities. The global shift towards renewable energy and the implementation of the Paris Agreement may impact the profitability of gas projects in Western Australia, but the state is also well-positioned to benefit economically from the transition to a low-carbon future.
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Rights of Traditional Owners
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a controversial method of gas extraction that involves drilling underground rock and injecting it with high-pressure fluid to fracture the rock and release gas. While this method has been widely adopted in the United States, some countries have banned it due to its links to seismic activity and water contamination.
In Western Australia, the state government has lifted its moratorium on fracking, allowing the practice in 2% of the state. This decision has sparked intense opposition and reignited the debate surrounding the rights of Traditional Owners.
The Yawuru people, recognised as Traditional Owners under Australian law, have certain rights and responsibilities to their land and waters, which they aim to protect, promote and sustain. However, their ability to veto industrial development on their ancestral lands remains uncertain. While the Western Australia state government announced that Traditional Owners would have the right to veto oil and gas projects, this right is not yet enshrined in Australian law. The Native Title Act grants First Nations communities the right to negotiate but does not provide them with veto power.
The Yawuru people's situation illustrates these constraints. Despite their overwhelming opposition to fracking and concerns about water contamination, they were unable to prevent Buru Energy from drilling exploratory wells and commencing fracking operations.
The Western Australian government's decision to lift the fracking ban has been criticised for sidelining the rights and concerns of Traditional Owners. Environmental NGOs and community members have expressed disappointment over the government's failure to uphold its commitment to grant veto rights to Traditional Owners.
While the government has made commitments to greater autonomy for Traditional Owners, the implementation of these promises remains to be seen. The recognition of Traditional Owners' rights and the inclusion of their perspectives in decision-making processes are essential to respecting their cultural associations with the land and ensuring the protection of environmentally sensitive areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, fracking is currently legal in Western Australia, though only in 2% of the state.
Fracking is banned in Perth, the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley, the south-west of the state, and all existing and proposed national parks.
Fracking has emerged as a political issue in Western Australia, with the federal government identifying gas production as central to the country's post-COVID-19 economic recovery. However, there is intense opposition from community groups and climate scientists, who are concerned about the environmental impact of fracking and the contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Opponents of fracking argue that the chemicals used in the process will poison waterways and contaminate groundwater. They also claim that large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, will be released into the atmosphere. In addition, fracking requires the clearing of vegetation, which can encourage the movement of feral cats and negatively impact native species.
