The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to validate a reconsideration request from the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) on Woodside’s Browse gas export proposal.
CCWA Executive Director Matt Roberts urged the government to reject both the Browse gas proposal and Woodside’s associated plans for risky carbon dumping.
“Woodside’s Browse gas export proposal relies on dumping carbon pollution beneath the sea floor using risky Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology,” Mr Roberts said.
“Minister Watt also announced today that Woodside’s carbon dumping plans would be assessed under the newly reformed EPBC laws.
“Woodside itself described this carbon dumping technology as ‘high risk, high cost’ and ‘unproven’ in 2022, before changing their mind and relying on it to justify their dirty fossil fuel proposal.
“You only have to look at Chevron’s track record with the Gorgon gas export project on Barrow Island to see that carbon dumping doesn’t work. Gorgon has consistently underdelivered on its targets and only successfully sequestered 3% of total emissions.
“The validation of ACF’s reconsideration request is a further blow to the Browse gas export project, that not only relies on failed technology, but simply doesn’t stack up.
“Financial analysts have warned that Woodside’s Browse gas export proposal would be expensive and unable to compete on the global or domestic gas markets. The project remains economically questionable after decades of failed attempts to get it off the ground.
“Ordinary Australians will now have their chance to have their say on both the Browse gas export proposal and Woodside’s carbon dumping plans. We will be making our own submissions to point out how destructive these proposals are.
“In 2024 the WA EPA made a preliminary finding that the Browse project posed ‘unacceptable’ environmental impacts.
"The Browse gas export project not only threatens the incredible Scott Reef but also creates further climate risks to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef.
“We urge Environment Minister Murray Watt to do the right thing and protect Scott Reef for future generations. We can’t let this precious coral reef - habitat for endangered species like the pygmy blue whale - be sacrificed for Woodside’s gas export profits.”
ENDS