Fracking is one of the dirtiest methods of getting fossil fuels out of the ground and has been banned in many countries around the world, as well as in the states of Victoria and Tasmania in Australia.
Fracking has led to the pollution of groundwater and surface water and leads to the industrialisation of the landscape with well pads, pipelines, pumping stations, wastewater ponds, seismic lines and a spiderweb of roads. In 2018 the McGowan Government banned fracking in the South West of Western Australia, in the Peel and Perth regions as well as on the Dampier Peninsula. But with no justification the government left most of the Kimberley open to this highly polluting and risky industry. The huge Canning basin underlies the West Kimberley and has long been targeted by the fossil fuel industry.
Now, in 2025, we face imminent danger from Texas-based Black Mountain Energy (BME). BME’s ‘Valhalla’ fracking proposal (submitted by its subsidiary company Bennett Resources Ltd) is one of the greatest threats to the Kimberley and could lead to the drilling of thousands of fracking wells across the region. BME’s proposal to drill and frack 20 exploratory wells near Fitzroy Crossing is currently being assessed by the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the federal government's Department of Environment and Climate Change (DCCEEW). The proposed drilling is in the heart of the National Heritage-listed Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment. The final decision on whether the proposal will be allowed to go ahead lies with the West Australian Minister for the Environment, Matthew Swinbourn and the Federal Minister for the Environment, Murray Watt.
Join our campaign to stop the Texan frackers and others from drilling and fracking in the Kimberley.
Kimberley Voices for Country
Many Aboriginal groups and Traditional Owners, whose lands cover tens of thousands of square kilometres, have said they oppose fracking. While the WA Government promised veto rights to Traditional Owner groups, it has yet to deliver on the commitment. Further, veto rights only apply to projects that include oil and gas for sale and use in the domestic and export market — i.e.. they do not apply to the proposal by Black Mountain Energy.
Fracking Leases in the Kimberley
The Cook Government says fracking is too risky in the Perth, Peel and South West regions and the Dampier Peninsula, but have left tens of thousands of square kilometres open to this polluting industry in the Kimberley, Several companies hold petroleum leases where fracking is allowed in the Kimberley’s world-famous landscape, which people travel from around the world to experience.
West Australian companies Buru Energy and Theia Energy, as well as Rey Resources, still hold frackable leases, but the most imminent threat is Texan-based Black Mountain Energy.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO KEEP THE KIMBERLEY FRACK-FREE
Our long-term strategy is to achieve a legislated fracking ban in the Kimberley. To prevent pollution to Kimberley aquifers, wetlands and rivers, including the Martuwarra Fitzroy River, we must act NOW
Join our campaign and call on the Cook Government to ban fracking in the Kimberley and stop the imminent threat of the Texan-based Black Mountain Energy fracking proposal
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The new Frack Free Kimberley T-shirt - get one from our shop
Photo: Damian Kelly
We need support and resources to fight oil and gas companies and prevent them from destroying the Kimberley.
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