Strong progress on Kimberley offshore gas plan but major challenges remain
09 Apr 2008
To coincide with the annual APPEA (oil and gas) conference held in Perth this week, WWF is reviewing progress against the challenges it set at APPEA 2007 for assessing any development of gas fields offshore from the ecologically and culturally-rich Kimberley region.
WWF is also calling for governments to fund a rigorous assessment of values over coming months before any decisions are made about gas development between Karratha and Darwin.
At the 2007 APPEA conference in Adelaide, WWF-Australia CEO, Greg Bourne challenged governments and industry to support a strategic, science-based assessment of development of the Browse Basin gas fields (offshore Kimberley), which would avoid areas of high conservation value, including but not limited to coral reefs like Scott Reef. This approach would necessarily also be cognizant of the social and economic fabric of Kimberley communities, in particular.
At that conference, Mr Bourne called for a new approach to development. "Business as usual, where projects are promoted one-by-one without an overarching plan is an antiquated approach, as I know many in industry and government agree," he said.
Mr Bourne also called for LNG processing to be limited to a single hub and for all players to invest in the collection of scientific information which would underpin decisions.
On the first anniversary of the challenge, Mr Bourne today said:
"While this issue presents complex challenges, much progress has been made. The Western Australian and Australian governments have taken important steps towards delivering an unprecedented joint strategic assessment of conservation and cultural values, and to assess hub options for Browse Basin gas."
"This complements the work of the Northern Development Taskforce to coordinate development, as well as efforts by some proponents to consult intensively with stakeholders. Governments deserve much credit for taking these steps as do those in industry who have shown leadership by supporting this approach," he said.
"The challenge now is for all parties, including Traditional Owners, governments, tourism interests, industry and conservationists to collaborate to describe the areas of high conservation and cultural value of the north-west coastal and marine region. This will provide the 'big picture' perspective for informed debate around future protection for large areas, and about potential locations for a hub, if appropriate."
"A modest investment now in the 'front-end' assessment will pay dividends for all. The alternative is to risk getting the big decisions wrong and everyone can agree that we simply cannot afford to get this one wrong."
For more information:
Paul Gamblin, WWF-Australia Senior Advisor, 0410 221 508
