Environment Groups have warned investors that today’s EPA advice on the Toro uranium mine proposal in the Murchison is a long way from an approved and operating mine. The EPA has deferred consideration of critical environmental issues that need to be dealt with before a mine could proceed. This along with community opposition, a lack of bipartisan support and the ongoing slump in the uranium price make Wiluna a poor investment. 

MEDIA RELEASE - 30th August 2016

Overnight the Conservation Council of WA, in partnership with the Australian Conservation Foundation, The Wilderness Society, Friends of the Earth Australia and the Anti Nuclear Alliance of WA lodged an appeal against the EPA recommendation to approve the proposed Mulga Rock uranium mine in the Goldfields. 

A Citizen Science project being launched by the Conservation Council of Western Australia is set to reveal marine plastic pollution hotspots by engaging volunteers in studying the distribution of minute plastic particles around the Southwest coastline, from Geraldton to Esperance.

In a first for WA, the project will involve volunteer ‘citizen scientists’ around the southwest who will take hundreds of samples of beach sand. The samples will be analysed by UWA researcher Dr Harriet Paterson to reveal the true extent of plastic contamination in the marine environment.

The sampling will identify tiny fragments of plastic called micro-plastics which affect marine life on a global scale. The particles look like food to marine life, but when ingested can kill animals and deliver toxic chemicals to the animals tissue.

Micro-Plastic particles occur when plastic waste enters the ocean and waterways and breaks down into small particles over time. Microbeads from facewash and fibres washed off from synthetic clothing are also contributing to the problem.

The CCWA has initiated the Benchmarking the Accumulation of Micro-Plastics off South-Western Australia Project in partnership with UWA. The project is supported by funding from the WA Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program and the Northern Agricultural Catchment Council.

CCWA’s Micro-Plastics Coordinator Kate Born said “We have known about plastic pollution in our marine environment for years, but not the threat from micro-plastics and fibres. For the first time this project will engage the community in gathering reliable data to measure the extent of the problem right here in Southwest WA.”

“We’re trying to determine if there are hotspots for micro-plastics along the West Australian coast,” says Dr Harriet Paterson, researcher from UWA. “Is the source of the plastic from local populations, or from oceanographic processes bringing global plastic to our shores?”

Dr Paterson, accompanied by CCWA Science and Policy Coordinator Dr Nic Dunlop, Micro-Plastics Coordinator Kate Born, local conservation groups and volunteers, is planning to sample West Australian beaches from Geraldton to Esperance.

Micro-Plastics are being eaten by zoo-plankton, near the bottom of the food chain. If the chemicals associated with these particles can be transferred through food chains, then people eating seafood could also be exposed. Micro-Plastic particles may contain a range of hormone interfering compounds, as well as heavy metals.

“By analysing the beach samples, we will understand the distribution of micro-plastics on our coastline,” Dr Paterson said, “this will enable managers to make better informed management decisions.” 

CoastCare and community groups will start sand sampling the beaches from the 1^st September 2016. Southwest communities are invited to take part in this project, for more information contact Kate Born on 0458 204 844, or email [email protected]

Media Release - 17 August 2016

Environment Groups welcome 10c recycling refunds for WA

Environment groups strongly welcomed the announcement by the Barnett Government that a 10c recycling refund scheme for beverage containers will be introduced in Western Australia.

Environment groups and Traditional Owners have vowed to fight the proposed Mulga Rock uranium mine, 260 kilometres north-east of Kalgoorlie, despite today’s recommendation by the state EPA that the Environment Minister approve the mine.

The Conservation Council of WA and the Australian Conservation Foundation have welcomed the WA EPA’s recommendation not to approve the proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine.

Media Release – 22 July 2016

Environment groups have renewed calls for Western Australia to join with other States and Territories in adopting a 10c recycling refund scheme for cans and bottles, following the announcement today that the Queensland government would introduce such a scheme.

Residents in the South West will have the chance to hear the facts about hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and other forms of unconventional gas at a community forum in Margaret River. 

The forum is being hosted by Transition Margaret River and Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy Institute (CUSPI), and will take place on June 2. 

Piers Verstegen, Director of Conservation Council of WA and member of the CUSPI Advisory Board will be speaking at the event, and said there were a number of myths that he would address in his presentation.

“One of the most common myths that we hear from the gas industry is that fracking can co-exist safely with other industries such as farming and tourism,” he said.

“The South West region is renowned for its food and wine, tourism, clean air and natural environment. If gas fracking were to occur in the region it would pollute and industrialise large areas and destroy many of the values that make the Southwest such a special place.   

“In a typical fracking gasfield, hundreds or even thousands of wells are required – each drilled through groundwater aquifers to access deep gas-bearing rocks. Each frack well can use, and pollute 20 million litres of water.

“With each well that is drilled and fracked, there is a very real threat of contamination entering the groundwater that our farms and communities rely on. Once the groundwater is polluted, the damage is done and it’s farmers and communities who will pay the price for that.

“We are also very concerned that farmers have no rights of veto to prevent unwanted gas exploration or fracking on their land. A Parliamentary Inquiry recently recommended stronger rights for farmers but the State Government has rejected these calls.

Mr Verstegen said while there were no immediate plans to undertake fracking around Margaret River, the area is being explored with renewed interest as new gas extraction methods, such as fracking, have become available.

“South West communities should be sceptical of claims that fracking will not happen in the region,” he said. 

“We have seen similar claims being made by gas companies elsewhere as they try to get a foot in the door and establish themselves in communities.

“The State Government and fracking companies have refused to rule out fracking in the South West and this alone should be reason for concern.

“Exploration licenses have already been issued over many groundwater aquifers, including the Yarragadee south aquifer, which supplies water to the South West. These leases cover significant areas around Bunbury and Margaret River.

“Another myth that will be addressed is that our regulations are adequate to protect the environment and groundwater.

“One of our biggest concerns is that gas fracking in WA is exempt from the normal regulations that apply to other polluting industries, and no Environmental Impact Assessment has been undertaken before the exploration leases have been issued.

The forum will be held at 5pm June 2 at the Curtin University Margaret River campus.

Media contact: Rebecca Boteler – 0424 569 179

What does the 2016/17 WA budget mean for our environment? 

Budgets are very revealing documents as they show exactly where government expenditure is being allocated. Decisions to spend or cut funding flow from the Government's policy priorities and provide an insight into the decisions that are being made across all portfolios.

MEDIA RELEASE – 23^RD MARCH

 Gas Industry Downturn Proves Government Needs To Look Elsewhere To Boost Economy 

The Conservation Council of WA has warned that the State Government needs to look elsewhere to boost the economy, with signs the WA gas industry is struggling financially and failing to gain the support of communities.

Woodside Petroleum has announced its Browse Liquefied Natural Gas has been put project on hold due to falling oil and gas prices while WA-based Fracking Company Buru Energy has reported a major decline in shareholder value.

“These announcements confirm that the State Government is barking up the wrong tree if it was hoping that the gas industry would save the state budget and boost the economy,” said CCWA Director Piers Verstegen.

“WA’s LNG industry is clearly struggling, while plans for onshore gas fracking are failing to gain the support of communities across the state.

 “The Paris agreement on climate change requires fossil fuels to be phased out, so relying on growth in this sector will leave our economy exposed and our environment and communities worse-off.

“It would be far more prudent for the government to throw its support behind the renewable energy industry.

“This is an area where WA can have a real competitive advantage and which also enjoys the strong support of Western Australians.

Woodside’s announcement follows the release this week of Buru Energy’s annual report, which revealed its operating loss after tax has increased from $31.6m to 40.4m.

The company had been due to begin gas fracking at Yulleroo, 70 km from Broome, but has delayed the project by two years.

“There is significant and growing opposition to fracking across the state including in the Kimberley. 

“97% of Yarwu people, who are the traditional owners of the area Buru is targeting for fracking, have voted to oppose fracking on their land.

“This community opposition is a major factor in the delay of Buru’s fracking projects and the overall poor performance of Buru and other fracking companies. 

“These delays are costing the company time and money, and will make Buru’s fracking plans even more financially risky.

“Shareholders equity in Buru Energy has declined by $40m over the past year. 

Investors would be well advised to look elsewhere for returns, just as the government should look elsewhere for revenue and employment growth.” said Mr Verstegen.

Comment: Rebecca Boteler – 0424 569 179