Sandy Dann IV with Martin Pritchard on Oil, Gas, and Fracking Concerns in the Kimberley - 241024

Radio Goolarri

In this Country Affairs interview, Sandy Dann sits down with Martin Pritchard, Director of Environs Kimberley, to discuss fracking and environmental issues in the Kimberley region. Pritchard shares that Burrow Energy’s oil exploration near Langwell Creek—an area of both cultural and environmental importance—didn’t find any oil, which he views as a win for conservation. He emphasizes that the Kimberley community lacks a "social license" for oil and gas industries, opposing them due to pollution, landscape damage, and climate change concerns. Pritchard also talks about Black Mountain’s proposed gas pipeline, which would require extensive drilling and bring significant environmental risks. He notes recent policy changes that have made it costly for individuals to challenge mining proposals, potentially limiting community engagement. Additionally, Pritchard raises alarm over Woodside Energy’s plans for large-scale drilling near Scott Reef—a vital coral ecosystem often compared to the Great Barrier Reef in its significance. He calls on Kimberley residents to speak out against these developments by contacting local representatives, stressing the urgency of protecting future generations from the lasting impacts of fossil fuel extraction.