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High quality, high resolution photos and vision of the North West Shelf facility and its impacts on Murujuga rock art available here (credit: Save our Songlines)
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Stunning photos and vision of Scott Reef (threatened by Woodside’s gas expansion) is available here
A snap protest has been called outside Woodside HQ at 08.00am AWST this morning
What: Protest at Woodside HQ
When: 08.00 am AWST Friday 13th December 2024
Where: Woodside HQ, 11 Mount St Perth 6000
The WA climate movement, led by the Conservation Council of WA and Murujuga Traditional Custodians, will protest outside Woodside HQ this morning in response to the WA government’s shock decision to approve the extension of Australia’s most polluting gas plant – Woodside's North West Shelf at the Burrup Hub –-- until 2070.
It follows a press conference held at WA Parliament on Thursday afternoon by WA environmental leaders (pictured) to call out the WA government failing Australia’s biggest climate decision. Footage and photos of the press conference are available here.
CONTACT: For any enquiries relating to this release please contact 0401 233 965 or by email on media@ccwa.org.au
The WA government has rejected a record number of community appeals and approved an extension until 2070 of North West Shelf, the centrepiece of Woodside’s Burrup Hub, which would make it the most polluting gas project in the Southern Hemisphere while also threatening UNESCO World Heritage-nominated Murujuga rock art.
The decision from the WA government now shifts the onus to federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to decide the Albanese government’s response to Woodside’s Burrup Hub, the primary testing ground for climate and cultural heritage in the country.
The WA government’s decision means there is an increased threat of the Kimberley being opened up to fracking and unlocks the prospect of Scott Reef being destroyed for Woodside’s Browse gas proposal, which the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has already found against due to the unacceptable risks the project poses to endangered whales, turtles and other marine life and the potential for a catastrophic oil spill
With overwhelming evidence of the impact this project would have on ancient rock art and the climate, and profound community opposition for gas exports to be extended to 2070, Minister Plibersek has the opportunity to make the right call and deliver on the Albanese government’s climate commitments while protecting globally significant Aboriginal culture.
Anna Chapman, the Fossil Fuels Program Manager at the Conservation Council of WA, said of the WA government approval decision:
“The WA government just failed the community and future generations by approving the largest fossil fuel project in the Southern Hemisphere, dismissing a huge number of appeals against it.
“This is a monumentally destructive decision by Minister Reece Whitby and the WA government that seeks to lock in huge volumes of fossil fuel production until 2070.
“It means that the Kimberley is at increased risk of fracking, and that the pristine Scott Reef off the Kimberley coast is at greater risk of destruction from Woodside’s Browse gas plans.
“The evidence shows that emissions from Woodside’s Burrup Hub risk serious damage to ancient, globally significant Murujuga rock art, currently nominated by the federal government for UNESCO World Heritage status.
“This is the first decision the WA government has made since changing its greenhouse gas emissions policy and means that Woodside’s Scope 1 emissions will not be subject to state emissions conditions.
“Gas is holding us back in WA. Rather than capitulating to pressure from Woodside and other major oil and gas companies, we need our governments to be phasing out gas, building the necessary renewables infrastructure and creating thousands of new clean jobs in renewable energy.
“For the sake of our climate, communities and cultural heritage, we are calling on Minister Plibersek and the Albanese government to listen to the community, hold firm against pressure from the fossil fuel industry, and prevent Woodside’s Burrup Hub from pushing us beyond climate tipping points and destroying the ancient Murujuga rock art.”
ENDS
VISION: High quality, high resolution photos and video of the North West Shelf facility and its impacts on Murujuga rock art is available here (all images credit Save our Songlines).
MEDIA INFORMATION: The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) is the state’s foremost non-profit, non-government conservation organisation representing nearly 100 environmental organisations across Western Australia.
For more information, visit: ccwa.org.au.
Contact details:
Jesse - 0401 233 965 - media@ccwa.org.au
