2020 September 1st - EPA Assessment to drill 6 wells in the Fitzroy River catchment.

In less than 7 days, 2,576 community members called on the EPA to set the highest level of assessment on the proposal to drill and frack 6 wells in the Fitzroy River catchment by Black Mountain subsidiary Bennett Resources. The Texan frackers will have to show how they will manage radioactive wastewater if it comes out of the ground again around Noonkanbah like it did when Buru Energy fracked a well there. Here's the link to the EPA decision https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/Extract_of_determination/CMS17847%20Chairmans%20determination_0.pdf

Potential significant effects: 

1.The proposal has the potential to impact Inland Waters through water abstraction and potential contamination from chemicals required for hydraulic fracture stimulation and spillage of flowback water, 

2.Flora and Vegetation from the clearing, Terrestrial Fauna from the clearing of habitat and from collision, 

3.Terrestrial Environmental Quality from soil contamination, 

4.Social Surroundings from construction and operation noise, dust, vibration and traffic and impacts to heritage sites, 

5.Human Health from flowback water, Air Quality from release of emissions and Greenhouse Gas from increased emissions. 

Preliminary key environmental factors: Inland Waters, Flora and Vegetation, Terrestrial Fauna, Terrestrial Environmental Quality, Human Health, Air Quality, Social Surroundings and Greenhouse Gas. 

While we welcome the EPA's decision, it is high time Premier McGowan stops proposals to frack the Kimberley. It is a dirty, polluting industry that contributes massively to the climate emergency we are in. WA Labor are better than this. Tell the Premier you don't want the Kimberley to be fracked - https://www.environskimberley.org.au/ban_fracking