Labor members want fracking completely banned in WA. But one project just got a major green tick

Western Australia’s environmental watchdog has given a controversial fracking plan in the heart of the Kimberley region the green light in a decision that sets the Cook government up for a showdown with Labor faithful who voted to fully ban the gas-extraction method at last year’s state conference.

The Environmental Protection Authority WA recommended the government approve the 20-well Valhalla Project exploration campaign by Bennett Resources, a subsidiary of Texan-owned company Black Mountain, in the Kimberley’s Canning Basin, subject to conditions including ensuring groundwater was not polluted.

Valhalla, 123 kilometres south-east of Derby, has drawn fierce opposition from environmental groups concerned about the impacts of fracking in the Kimberley.

It is the first fracking project to be approved in WA since 2019, when the Canning Basin was declared the only area in WA where fracking would be allowed.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn is yet to consider the EPA’s recommendations, but now faces approving a fracking project after his own party voted to ban the practice last year.

Fracking, known as hydraulic fracturing, involves the use of high-pressure fluids to fracture rocks deep underground to extract hard-to-reach hydrocarbons.

EPA chair Darren Walsh said the proposal was an “exploration and appraisal” plan, and if Black Mountain wanted to extract gas, it would need to submit a separate proposal.

He said the EPA consulted extensively during the assessment and considered all 8000 submissions received during the public consultation period.

“The EPA recognises the critical role of groundwater protection in this proposal to mitigate potential risks in a way that maintains public confidence,” he said.

“To this end we have recommended conditions that require a number of peer-reviewed programs to be approved prior to the commencement of drilling to ensure the required environmental outcomes are met.”

But Greens WA fossil fuels spokeswoman Sophie McNeill urged Swinbourn to reject the EPA’s advice, citing advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Unconventional Gas Development last year raising queries about Black Mountain’s claims that groundwater would not be impacted by the Valhalla project.

“This outrageous decision is in total opposition to the evidence about the dangers of fracking and the dangers of new fossil fuel projects and must be rejected,” she said.

“The community is overwhelmingly opposed to fracking – a dangerous mining practice that is already banned across 98 per cent of Western Australia – and the Cook Government must listen to them.”

Former independent Fremantle candidate Kate Hulett said during last year’s election, every street in Fremantle was covered in anti-fracking signs and her campaign took a 26 per cent chunk from Labor minister Simone McGurk’s two-party margin.

“Labor members subsequently voted for a statewide ban on fracking at their state conference. The government must listen to the community and their own party members and refuse this approval,” she said.

If Labor still haven’t learnt what matters to our community, we’ll have to teach them again at the next election.”

A range of environmental groups came out decrying the EPA’s decision, with Environs Kimberley director Martin Pritchard warning it could cost Labor votes.

“If [Swinbourn and Cook don’t reject the proposal], there will be significant electoral consequences with a backlash not just from the Kimberley but also across key Perth electorates.

“The government nearly lost the seat in March due to a powerful campaign calling for the protection of the Kimberley from fracking.

“If Texan frackers Black Mountain are given the green light for invasive gas fields, rest assured the people of Fremantle will not take this lightly.”

Cook said the decision wasn’t a “green-light for fracking”, only that Valhalla’s environmental impacts could be managed.

He declined to comment further on the basis that the EPA’s advice may be appealed.

Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA chief executive Aaron Morey welcomed the EPA’s decision and said it would allow Black Mountain to assess the size of its resource and may unlock a new energy source in the future.

“Continuing to tap into WA’s abundant gas reserves is vital to shield families and businesses from steep rises in energy costs,” he said.

“The $13.5 billion US-Australia critical minerals framework opens the door to thousands of additional jobs in mining and refining – but only if WA can compete on energy costs.”

Walsh said Black Mountain’s proposal had broad support from traditional owners groups covered in the Yungngora (Noonkanbah) people and Warlangurru people native title areas and there were Indigenous land use agreements in place.

“At my invitation, representatives from both these Traditional Owner groups came to a recent EPA meeting and addressed all members,” Walsh said.

“We also visited the proposal area and the Noonkanbah community last year and acknowledge the broad support for the proposal by the Yungngora and Warlangurru people.”

However, Indigenous support for the project is contested.

Bunuba traditional owner Millie Hills said this type of development was a huge risk to the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment.

“People don’t come to the Kimberley to see gas fields; they come to see unspoilt nature and experience our ancient culture,” she said.

“The Premier Roger Cook needs to show some leadership here and stop Black Mountain’s 20-well fracking proposal and ultimately ban fracking in the Kimberley to stop it looking like Texas.”

The report is now open for appeals until February 10 and Swinbourn will make a final call on the project later in the year.

Black Mountain Energy has been approached for comment.

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