James Price Point EPA decision delayed

Wilderness Society supporters stand up for Kimberley conservation in Perth. Photo: The Wilderness Society Western Australia

Following criticism by the Wilderness Society and others, the West Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has decided to delay their recommendation (due today) on the controversial gas hub development proposed for James Price Point.

The EPA became the target of intense criticism after it was revealed that four of the five board members had to step down from the decision-making process due to conflicts of interest.

Two of the board members hold shares in Woodside, and another has worked for BP (both potential investors in the proposed gas project). The fourth board member has worked for the project's proponent, the Department of State Development.

"The delay in this announcement should cause the government to rethink the whole project" said Peter Robertson, West Australian State Coordinator for the Wilderness Society.

"Not only does the Board need at least three new non-conflicted members, the documentation provided to the EPA by the Department of State Development and Woodside needs to be completely overhauled to address its many serious deficiencies".

Over the past 18 months, the Wilderness Society has been working with independent scientists, and local communities to expose a raft of major flaws and gaps in the information submitted to the EPA for assessment.

"Unless and until these deficiencies are addressed, the EPA should refuse to consider the reports", said Mr Robertson. "To allow them to stand will only further undermine the credibility of the assessment process."

Find out more: Download this in-depth briefing paper covering the murky history of the gas hub assessment process.

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