PERTH, Monday 18 November 2024 — Conservationists in Western Australia are warning an ‘environmental catastrophe’ could be on the horizon for thousands of birds, including critically endangered species of the Adele Island off Broome, if Woodside’s Burrup Hub gas project is given the green light.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific has raised concerns that a spill from Woodside’s Burrup Hub could cause ‘severe and potentially irreversible’ impacts on the marine ecosystem of Western Australia.
Woodside’s own modelling shows that a gas well blow-out for its Browse project could risk 29 threatened species and spread to critical bird breeding grounds, including the Kimberley Marine Park surrounding Adele Island – a designated Important Bird Area for nesting birds, including thousands of brown boobies and the critically endangered eastern curlews and curlew sandpipers.
It comes as the Western Australia government is poised to decide whether to extend the life of Woodside’s North West Shelf, a key part of the Burrup Hub project.
Geoff Bice, WA Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said:
“Adele Island is a stunning, untouched ecosystem off the shores of Western Australia. West Australians would be appalled to know that places like Adele Island, which sustain so much life and diversity, are in the firing line of a major oil spill from Woodside’s gas project.”
“Woodside’s Browse project poses major risks to the pristine Kimberley coastline, which is a vital habitat for nesting birds, including the Brown Booby. A spill would be an environmental catastrophe. The last thing we want to see is for these adorable creatures to be coated in oily pollution.
“The Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek will soon make a crucial decision on whether to approve Woodside’s Burrub Hub mega fossil fuel project, which will define the government’s legacy on nature protection — we’re calling on the minister Plibersek to protect wildlife and say no to the Burrup Hub.”
Woodside’s track record of environmental neglect was highlighted last month by Greenpeace’s ‘Risky Business’ report, which catalogues a series of oil spills and poor infrastructure management.
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High res images of brown boobies and Adele Island can be found here.
For more information or interviews contact Frankie Adkins on 0402 316 996 or frankie.adkins@greenpeace.org
