Public invited to comment on iconic natural heritage places where hydraulic fracturing will be prohibited

Government publishes Public Consultation Paper to facilitate feedback
Date: Wednesday, 11 December 2019

The State Government is seeking feedback on iconic natural heritage places where oil and gas exploration or production involving hydraulic fracturing will be prohibited.

A Public Consultation Paper provides information to help stakeholders submit feedback.

The Government has identified two proposed iconic natural heritage places; the Fitzroy River and Camballin Floodplain in the Kimberley region and extensions to the Kennedy Range in the Gascoyne region.

During the consultation period, from 10 December 2019 to 31 January 2020, stakeholders can submit feedback by email.

Identification of iconic natural heritage places was a recommendation of an independent Scientific Inquiry in 2018 on risks associated with extracting petroleum products using hydraulic fracturing.

The State Government accepted in-principle the Inquiry’s 44 recommendations, and on 27 November 2018 announced its policy decisions relating to hydraulic fracturing for the State. This included lifting the hydraulic fracturing moratorium on existing onshore petroleum titles, and prohibiting hydraulic fracturing in existing and proposed national parks, within 2,000 metres of Public Drinking Water Source Areas, the Dampier Peninsula and other iconic natural heritage areas.

Further information is available on the inquiry, its recommendations and the State Government’s Implementation Plan.