PERTH, 5 August 2023 – Greenpeace Australia Pacific today welcomed a commitment from WA Premier Roger Cook indicating he would respect potential findings from the state’s EPA ruling out Woodside’s Browse project, if the EPA deems it poses an unacceptable risk of an oil spill or harm to whales and turtles.
Asked if he believes the Browse project should go ahead if the state’s environmental regulators find an unacceptable risk of an oil spill or threat to whales or turtles, WA Premier Premier Cook responded, “no, it certainly shouldn’t.”
These comments from Premier Cook are the strongest signs yet of a commitment by the WA government to uphold the findings of the WA EPA when it eventually finalises its recommendation on Browse in 2025.
In February, the EPA told Woodside its preliminary view was that its Browse project was environmentally unacceptable due to its threats to marine life, threatened species and reefs, and the risk of an oil spill.
The Browse project is a key part of Woodside’s Burrup Hub proposal – the largest fossil fuel project currently proposed in Australia.
Greenpeace notes that the WA Government has an unfortunate history of overriding the WA EPA’s recommendations.
Comments attributable to Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter:
“WA Premier Roger Cook’s comments that Woodside’s Browse project “certainly shouldn’t” go ahead if the EPA finds unacceptable environmental risks are a welcome reassurance to the many West Australians who want our State Government to listen to the experts on environmental protection, the EPA.
“The EPA has told Woodside that its Browse project is an unacceptable risk to WA’s whales, turtles, and Scott Reef.
“Woodside’s Burrup Hub is the biggest fossil fuel project proposed in Australia today, and a profound threat to precious, irreplaceable ocean ecosystems like Scott Reef. Allowing Woodside to drill for gas underneath a reef is a risk we cannot afford to take.
“We thank Premier Cook for his stance on heeding EPA’s expert advice, and call on the Premier and Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to reject Woodside’s disastrous Burrup Hub project.”
ENDS
Events: A snap action will take place today outside WA State Parliament (12pm Perth), calling on the WA government to heed the evidence and advice from the EPA and rule out the Browse project for good.
Interviews: Greenpeace Australia Pacific representatives will be made available for interview on request.
Photos: Images of the Scott Reef are available for hi-res download here.
Media contacts:
Lisa Wills, 0456 206 021 / lwills@greenpeace.org
Vai Shah, 0452 290 082 / vaidehi.shah@greenpeace.org
