Environs Kimberley to appeal fracking plan

Broome-based lobby group Environs Kimberley will appeal a decision by the Environmental Protection Authority not to assess fracking proposals by Buru Energy in the Canning Basin.

"The EPA has failed the Kimberley by refusing to assess Buru Energy's proposal for 34 fracs involving the pumping of 31 million litres of water and 1.5 million litres of chemicals, some of them toxic, through groundwater aquifers," Environs Kimberley director Martin Pritchard said.

"We know from experience in the US that there are pollution risks with fracking and the Department of Health, Water Corporation and Department of Water have all said that fracking should be banned in public drinking water source areas because of the risks of pollution."

Mr Pritchard said the Government needs to act and that Environment Minister Albert Jacob has the power to direct the EPA to assess the fracking proposal.

"Cities like Fort Collins in Colorado, regions like Cantabria in Spain and countries like France have banned fracking as have many other jurisdictions around the world because of the risks to groundwater and public health, yet WA's environment watchdog has refused to even assess fracking proposals," Mr Pritchard said.

Mr Jacob said the EPA decision was subject to a 14-day appeals period.

"Any appeals received will be investigated by the Appeals Convenor who will provide a report to me in due course for my final determination," he said.

"Given the matter is before the Appeals Convenor, it is inappropriate that I comment further at this stage."

About 85 people attended a Buru Energy community information session in Broome last Wednesday as part of its consultation program.

The energy explorer said it plans to undertake 32 hydraulic fracture treatments in four existing vertical exploration wells - two at Yulleroo, about 90km east of Broome and two at Valhalla/Asgard, about 320km east of Broome.

"We fielded a range of questions from people, with many interested in knowing about future employment and business opportunities and what the benefits of an expanded gas industry would be," Buru Energy community affairs general manager Jon Ford said.

"People were particularly interested in hearing about how we will protect water resources and how the well integrity will be maintained. We are using world's best practice for ensuring the Kimberley's water resources are protected and our operations will be very heavily monitored."

Mr Ford said jurisdictions overseas have made decisions about fracking for a range of reasons.

"For example, France wants to protect its nuclear energy industry," he said.

"Let's not forget that of all the thousands of fracs carried out in Canada and USA where the industry is heavily regulated, there have been no instances of fracking causing water contamination."