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

MEDIA RELEASE – 21 March 2016 

Biodiversity Bill must not allow extinction: conservation groups

Conservation groups have welcomed Premier Barnett’s statement that the government would accept amendments to new biodiversity legislation tabled for debate in the State Parliament this week. Without significant changes including specific provisions to prevent wildlife extinction, conservation groups say the Bill should be withdrawn.

The Biodiversity Conservation Bill 2015 was initially welcomed by conservation groups after being introduced into the Parliament without consultation; however independent analysis by the WA Environmental Defenders Office has since shown that the bill falls well short of contemporary practice for environmental law.

 CCWA Director Piers Verstegen said “WA’s unique native wildlife is under huge pressure from climate change, land clearing, logging, mining, gas fracking, feral animals and other impacts.

“Now is not the time for the Government to be putting forward half measures that will fail to address the decline of our unique biodiversity, or creating extraordinary new powers to allow Ministers to approve extinction.

“There is no provision for an independent Biodiversity Authority, no requirement for scientific advice, no targets for wildlife recovery, and no requirement for the Minster to use any of the powers in the legislation or to publicly report on the condition of wildlife.  Instead the Bill creates new powers for a Minster to play God by allowing the extinction of an entire species.

Like the 1950’s legislation it seeks to replace, the Bill is full of loopholes and exemptions for certain activities and classes of animals.

Wilderness Society Coordinator Peter Robertson said, “This Bill was drafted without consultation and contains many fundamental flaws and omissions.

“In its current form it is not “fit for purpose” as 21^st century biodiversity conservation legislation. The lack of any statutory public involvement, including third party enforcement rights, shows this legislation is outdated before it is even law.

“In our view the legislation is so deeply flawed that it should not be passed unless there are major amendments.”

“Arresting the decline of our native wildlife demands a comprehensive package of reforms including funding, increased protected areas, major changes to the management of forest and other public lands, and contemporary legislation,” concluded Mr. Verstegen

The Conservation groups have written to all Members of Parliament outlining major amendments that are required for the Bill to be effective, and asking Parliament to refer the Bill to a Committee where amendments can be considered in detail.

Comment:

Piers Verstegen, Director CCWA – 0411 557 892

Peter Robertson, Acting Coordinator, The Wilderness Society WA – 0409 089 020