‘Absurd’: Toxic chemical risks in Kimberley fracking plan ‘downplayed’, environmentalists say

Environmental groups claim the risk of toxic chemicals to groundwater in WA’s Kimberley was downplayed in the environmental watchdog’s recent approval of plans for a controversial fracking project in the region.

Documents from Texan-owned Black Mountain Energy which cited the region’s sparse population as the reason risk to human health would be low were provided to the WA Environmental Protection Authority during the assessment of the company’s proposed Valhalla project.

But Environs Kimberley Executive Director Martin Pritchard claimed that excuse “callously disregards the pastoralists and traditional owners who live in the Kimberley”.

Black Mountain subsidiary Bennett Resources’ human health risk assessment of the Valhalla project noted pastoralists drinking from bore water was common practice, and that traditional owners hunting in the area could also drink the water.

But, they concluded, “community members are not expected to use or touch groundwater from pastoral bores unless needed in case of thirst.”

“The idea that farmers and traditional owners would suddenly stop drinking the water they’ve been safely drinking for years because of this project is absurd,” Pritchard said.

“The responsibility sits squarely with Black Mountain not to pollute it in the first place – and the EPA not to enable them.”

Lock the Gate Alliance WA campaign coordinator Simone van Hattem said public pressure was mounting on Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn to reject the Valhalla proposal.

“West Australians remain committed to stopping this project that risks destroying endangered animal habitats, polluting water sources and industrialising the Kimberley,” she said.

“A record number of public submissions have been lodged appealing the EPA’s decision.”

Van Hattem said the EPA had also failed to consider the toxic chemicals’ impact on the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment, and native species.

“Black Mountain’s fracking plans threaten to contaminate precious rivers with toxic fracking chemicals,” she said.

“The 20 wells currently proposed would just be the beginning. Full-scale fracking in the Kimberley would mean thousands of gas wells industrialising the region and sucking billions of litres of water.”

Van Hattem said to date, only three wells had been fracked in the Kimberley, but there were already significant issues reported.

Buru Energy previously held the Valhalla title, and photos from one of the company’s fracking wastewater ponds, sent to this masthead, show dead birds floating in the water.

“So far only three wells have been fracked in the Kimberley, and they have led to serious issues including exposed radioactive wastewater and greenhouse gas leaks,” van Hattem said.

“Fracking is among the most destructive methods of gas extraction, which is why it’s been banned in parts of Australia and many countries overseas.”

Black Mountain Energy was contacted for comment but did not respond before publication.

However, in its human health risk assessment, the company stated: “The interest and scrutiny arise from the development of a new unconventional project following the lifting of the hydraulic fracture stimulation moratorium and the lack of public knowledge relating to impacts and risks associated with the project in region of the West Kimberley.”

“The closest relevant human receptor, an Indigenous community, is aware and supportive of the proposal,” it reads.

“Community members and associated workers such as pastoralists travelling within the proposal’s area understand that they are not considered susceptible or vulnerable populations likely to be exposed by the proposal’s activities.”

A Department of Water and Environmental Regulation spokesperson said as the matter was now in the appeals process, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

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