Another challenge for Woodside

ANOTHER challenge has been thrown up against Woodside’s Scarborough gas project.

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) and Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) have challenged the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority’s (NOPSEMA) approval of the environment plan for Scarborough in the federal court.

They have launched proceedings seeking a judicial review of the production environment plan for the project.

DEA executive director Dr Kate Wylie said DEA believes that NOPSEMA may have acted unlawfully by accepting the environmental plan without fully understanding how the impacts of the Scarborough gas project will be managed.

“Woodside acknowledges that there is uncertainty about whether gas from the Scarborough project will displace even dirtier fuels,” Dr Wylie said.

“DEA will contend that Woodside’s proposed controls in this EP are so vague and uncertain that NOPSEMA did not meet its own tests for whether an EP can be approved.

“Controls placed on offshore gas projects are critical in managing impacts on our environment and community.

“We have asked the court to set aside NOPSEMA’s decision.

“DEA has taken this action in the broader context of a global climate emergency, which has profoundly harmful consequences for the health of billions of people around the world.

“The scientific consensus and the advice of the United Nations is that new fossil fuel projects are incompatible with a safe climate and human health.

“Sadly, governments around Australia continue to approve coal and gas projects against such advice.

“In these circumstances, the least our government can do is to ensure such projects are subjected to thorough scrutiny to ensure proposals meet the legal standards enacted by our parliaments.

“If government agencies fail to meet their own legal standards in their assessments, it is incumbent upon civil organisations like DEA to hold them to account.”

Work on Scarborough is understood to be continuing as planned with Woodside calling for an early resolution of the case.