Scott Reef is under threat from Woodside's North West Shelf extension. The recent approval by the Albanese government to allow Woodside to operate in the area until 2070 is heartbreaking and goes against our net-zero by 2050 targets. Scott Reef is home to many species that are under threat from the proposed new drilling projects; a lot of these species are endemic to this unique marine landscape.

Scott Reef is located 430km North of Broome and 270km off the Kimberley Coastline. Woodside is proposing drilling operations at 50 wells at and around Scott Reef, with some being located less than 3km from the reef itself. This proposal poses a major ecological issue to the area. The noise from construction and operations risk injuring or displacing pygmy blue whales who use Scott Reef as a feeding ground during their migration. The light and noise pollution can also displace green turtles who are sensitive to such pollution.
Sandy Islet (a strip of sand that is only a couple of hundred meters long) is located in Scott Reef and is a key breeding area for green turtles who risk having this habitat destroyed by subsidence and any pollutants that may come from a blowout at any of the drilling facilities.

Woodside has a troubling history of accidents and environmental neglect. In the last decade there have been eight major incidents, including, an explosion, oil spill, and striking of a whale calf. It is unreasonable to think that any such accidents will not happen in Scott Reef. 

Although far from many of us, this is an issue that affects all Australians. The people of Albany and the larger Great Southern live here for its' beautiful coastal scenery, and our ocean is under attack by corporations like Woodside.

We ask that Rick Wilson champions saving Scott Reef as a representative of his constituents. That he raises these issues with the Environment Minister and tells Minister Watt that our community is concerned with Woodside's plans to drill for gas, and that he raises these issues in his party room and in Parliament.