WA environmental groups slam terrible EPA Kimberley fracking decision

Community groups are stunned and outraged, vowing to ramp up pressure on the Cook Government after Western Australia’s EPA recommended the first fracking project in the state since Labor lifted the moratorium in 2019 be approved.

Earlier today, the Environmental Protection Authority published a report recommending approval for the billionaire-backed, Texan-owned “Valhalla” fracking project in the Kimberley.

The Black Mountain Energy (via subsidiary ‘Bennett Resources’) project would involve the drilling of an initial 20 frack wells in the heart of the National Heritage-listed Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment – a sensitive part of the Kimberley east of Broome.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn must now reject or approve the project following an appeals period. 

Late last year, Labor Party members voted in favour of a statewide ban on fracking at the party’s state conference as fracking opponents including Kimberley Traditional Owners rallied outside. It followed a large rally outside WA Parliament House in September where hundreds of concerned West Australians called on the Cook Government to ban fracking. 

Frack Free Kimberley rally at WA Parliament

Environs Kimberley director Martin Pritchard said: “We are shocked by this decision to recommend the most environmentally destructive proposal in the history of the Kimberley. It’s outrageous the WA EPA has made this recommendation in the world’s most pristine natural landscapes.

“Premier Roger Cook and Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn must now reject Black Mountain’s fracking project. If they don’t there will be significant electoral consequences with a backlash not just from the Kimberley but also across key Perth electorates.

“Fracking would pollute the water that sustains life in the Kimberley and threaten rare and endangered wildlife as well as the National Heritage-listed Martuwarra Fitzroy River which is one of Australia’s best barramundi fishing meccas. Premier Roger Cook needs to step in and protect the Kimberley from this polluting, damaging industry before it's too late.

“The Labor Party voted in favour of a ban on fracking in the Kimberley at its conference in Fremantle. The government nearly lost the seat in March due to a powerful campaign calling for protection of the Kimberley from fracking. If Texan frackers Black Mountain are given the green light for invasive gasfields, rest assured the people of Fremantle will not take this lightly."

Frack Free Kimberley camapign in Fremantle - Labor nearly lost the seat in 2025 state election 

Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network National Director Angel Owen said: “As First Nations people, it is our inherent responsibility to protect Country, and the Kimberley holds some of the oldest living cultures on Earth. Approving fracking here would put at risk the lands and waters that sustain communities, culture and our future. Fracking would worsen climate impacts that our communities are already disproportionately feeling, from extreme heat to fires and floods.

"First Nations young people across the Kimberley and across the continent are stepping into this fight with strength and determination. We will not back down. We will protect Country and fight for climate justice because our culture, communities and our future is on the line.” 

Lock the Gate Alliance State Campaign Coordinator Simone van Hattem said: “This is a terrible decision from the EPA, and we call on Environment Minister Swinbourn to reject this dangerous project and Premier Cook to ban fracking in the Kimberley. 

“We know that the majority of people in Western Australia don’t want fracking in the Kimberley. The Kimberley is truly a global icon worth protecting from the ravages of fracking.

“The Cook Government needs to understand the Kimberley is no place for fracking. Our protests will only grow bigger until the Cook Government gets this message.

“The EPA acknowledges that the public is hugely concerned about water contamination from this industry, and the national scientific advisory body raised similar concerns, but the WA EPA has swept these concerns aside saying fracking can proceed despite huge and material knowledge gaps. Protecting water from fracking is a national environmental issue and we will keep on fighting.”   

Conservation Council of WA Executive Director Matt Roberts said: "The EPA decision is reckless and puts one of WA’s incredible savannah and river ecosystems at risk.

"CCWA raised concerns during the project assessment around the potential contamination of groundwater and impacts to subterranean fauna, along with increased greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts on endangered saw fish, ghost bats and bilbies, none of which the proponent adequately responded to.

“Not only is fracking recklessly unleashing new fossil fuels and emissions, it also poses an unacceptable contamination risk to our groundwater." 

The recommendation comes a month after Independent Expert Scientific Committee advice found that the information provided with the application was “not sufficient to assess the project’s potential impacts on surface and groundwater resources and water-related assets.”

The EPA report noted the high level of public concern about the roll-out of the fracking industry in the Kimberley and WA's incomplete regulation for the fracking industry.