The amendments reduced the size of the project’s footprint from 1,220 square kilometres, and the company said it would no longer include shallow water near the heritage-listed Scott Reef.<\/p>\n
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A boat traverses a passage at Scott Reef in remote waters off Australia’s north west. (Supplied: Alex Westover\/Greenpeace)<\/p>\n
Woodside said the amendments would also bring drilling operations away from key habitats critical for marine turtles.<\/p>\n
The planned extraction has long been met with resistance from environmental groups, who say industry at Browse would cause irreparable damage to marine environments, particularly the Scott Reef.<\/p>\n
More than 17,000 submissions<\/p>\n
Following Woodside’s application, the EPA took the “unusual” step of re-opening public consultation, with the four-week process attracting more than 17,000 additional submissions.<\/p>\n
EPA chair Darren Walsh said submissions raised concerns over environmental impacts to marine environments and the use of “unproven” technologies.<\/p>\n
He said the EPA concluded “the amendments don’t change the previously identified key environmental factors”.<\/p>\n
The agency will now finalise its assessment of the proposal and will provide a report to WA’s environment minister, which will then be subject to a three-week public appeal period.<\/p>\n
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The proposal is one of the most significant projects in WA’s north west awaiting approval. (ABC News: Charlie Mclean)<\/p>\n
A Woodside spokesperson welcomed the decision and said since lodging the application in 2018, the company had “continued to collect scientific data and monitor advances in industry best practice environmental measures”.<\/p>\n
“This work informed the proposal amendments, which demonstrate our commitment to further avoid and minimise potential environmental impacts from the proposed Browse development,” the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Conservation Council of WA executive director Matt Roberts said there was still a threat to marine life and environments.<\/p>\n
“In 2024, the EPA made a preliminary finding that the Browse project posed unacceptable impacts to the environment, in particular Scott Reef,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Our review of Woodside’s revised proposal has not found any compelling changes that would alter the EPA’s preliminary finding.”<\/p>\n
WA Greens MLC Sophie McNeill said significant threats to the environment should not be ignored.<\/p>\n
“Woodside’s amendments have done nothing but slightly shift the goalposts,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Our beautiful coral reefs can’t afford any new gas fields and the warming temperatures that come with them.”<\/p>\n
Debate continues<\/p>\n
The EPA’s decision comes amid a big week of discussion over the impacts of fossil fuel extraction on WA’s north-west coast.<\/p>\n
Traditional owner wants WA rock art decision<\/a><\/p>\n Raelene Cooper has taken the federal environment minister to court to over a 2022 application to protect Indigenous rock art that is yet to be resolved.<\/p>\n Last week, the Australian Institute of Marine Science published a report detailing “unprecedented” coral bleaching<\/a> on WA’s north west coast, which spurred anti-Woodside protests in Perth over the weekend.<\/p>\n