Lock the Gate Alliance WA welcomes the decision by "Twiggy" Forrest’s Squadron Energy to abandon fracking plans in the iconic Kimberley, and calls on other petroleum companies to follow suit.
The Squadron Energy/Goshawk joint venture originally planned to drill across the 5300 km2 EP 499 exploration permit in the east Kimberley region.
Today, it was reported Squadron will pull out of the Kimberley, however fears remain Goshawk may attempt to continue the work.
The decision comes after Twiggy Forrest criticised fracking company Santos and offshore gas company Woodside for driving the climate crisis.
There are numerous other companies including Origin Energy, Buru, and Houston-based frackers Black Mountain Oil and Gas, who are forging ahead with plans to pockmark the Kimberley with potentially thousands of gas and oil wells.
“We hear a lot of greenwashing from petroleum and energy companies but little real action on climate so it’s promising to see that at least in the Kimberley, Twiggy Forrest is talking the talk and walking the walk,” said Lock the Gate WA coordinator Claire McKinnon.
“Fracking has already caused contamination in water supplies in the Kimberley - we cannot afford to risk destroying this unique and special region by opening it up to greedy oil and gas companies.
“We welcome Squadron’s decision to abandon its fracking plans for the Kimberley, and encourage all other fracking companies hoping to pillage the Kimberley to follow suit.
“It’s time these businesses read the writing on the wall. New oil and gas developments are incompatible with a safe climate. The Kimberley hosts one of the world’s last large and intact natural places, as well as numerous towns and communities that will have their way of life upended should fracking be permitted.”