Valhalla fracking puts wildlife, water and Country at risk

In this Member’s Statement, Hon Amanda Dorn MLC raises serious concerns about Black Mountain’s proposed Valhalla fracking project in the nationally heritage-listed Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment in the Kimberley.

Amanda highlights significant gaps in baseline fauna data, including information about the endangered freshwater sawfish and other threatened species. She warns that clearing and fragmenting habitat can displace, injure and kill animals, destroy breeding areas and isolate populations.

The proposed 20 exploration wells could also pave the way for hundreds or thousands of gas wells across the Kimberley, with far-reaching environmental consequences. Amanda also raises concerns about consultation with Traditional Custodians.

With renewable energy increasingly cheaper than fossil-fuel generation, Amanda questions why WA would risk such an extraordinary region for further gas development and calls on the Environment Minister to reject the Valhalla proposal.