ScienceThe GuardianEndangered turtles and ‘exceptional’ coral at risk from Woodside’s gas drilling in WA, watchdog says
WA's environmental watchdog warned in 2023 that Woodside's Browse gasfield plan risks irreversible damage to rare coral reefs, turtles and pygmy blue whales.
Exclusive: EPA flags oil spill risk from proposed gasfield and threat to pygmy blue whales
A leaked 2023 draft letter from WA's Environmental Protection Authority sharply criticised Woodside's Browse gasfield proposal off the Kimberley coast.
EPA staff said plans to protect endangered turtles and pygmy blue whales would be ineffective, and an oil spill risk may be impossible to reduce to an acceptable level.
The EPA sent Woodside a preliminary rejection in early 2024, but ultimate approval rests with state and federal environment ministers who have not yet decided.
The Browse gasfield is still being assessed by both state and federal environment ministers, so a final decision has not yet been made.
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