Activists fear for Dawson River turtles amid Santos wastewater plan

Activists keen to protect a vulnerable turtle species in Central Queensland have called for government action to prevent gas giants from dumping wastewater into a delicate ecosystem.

Bum breathing turtles will hold their breath as environmental activists urge the federal government to prevent a gas giant from “dumping” wastewater into the Dawson River.

Following community pressure and a scathing environmental report, Santos recently announced it would not proceed with its plan to release untreated CSG wastewater from its more than 6000 gas field wells into the river.

But environmental groups believe Santos still intends to release up to 18 million litres of “reverse osmosis” treated wastewater into the Dawson River each day.

A Fitzroy River Turtle hatchling, otherwise known as the "bum-breathing turtle”. Picture: Greening Australia

A report from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee for Coal Seam Gas and Major Coal Mining Development shows even treated water could threaten bum breathers.

This is because of the risk of increased riverbank erosion, decreased water quality, and a possibility invasive species could move upstream.

In 2016, Santos received approval to build an extra 6100 wells as part of its GLNG project.

But the release of the associated water into the Dawson River is still under assessment and requires approval under the EPBC Act before it can start.

Theodore resident and Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland member, Ann Hobson, said Santos had shown its disregard for the long term environmental consequences by its proposal to dump untreated wastewater into the Dawson.

Gas giant, Santos recently backed away from plans to release untreated CSG wastewater into the Central Queensland river which is home to the critically endangered species. Picture: Stephen Zozaya.

“It’s a relief to see that Santos has now withdrawn that threat to the health of our river, but more has to be done,” Ms Hobson said.

“The ecosystem of the Upper Dawson must remain intact and healthy to give the white throated snapping turtle, platypus and other species the best chance of survival.”

A Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water spokeswoman said they were currently assessing the Santos Fairview Water Release Scheme under national environment law.

“The approval of any project under the EPBC Act follows a rigorous assessment of the potential impacts of the project on matters of national environmental significance,” the spokeswoman said.

“This involves public consultation … with relevant stakeholders such as the National indigenous Australians Agency, and advice from the IESC.”

The spokeswoman said it would be inappropriate to comment further while the project was under assessment.

Lock the Gate Alliance Queensland co-ordinator Ellie Smith argued that if the federal government was serious about preventing further extinctions, they would put a stop to the project.

“There is a federal species recovery plan in place for the white throated snapping turtle, it is a species that is extremely sensitive to water disturbances,” Ms Smith said.

“Santos mustn’t be allowed to disturb its habitat in such a way that it threatens the turtles’ survival.

“The Albanese Government needs to make a choice, it can end extinctions in Australia, or it can allow new gas fields, not both.”

Santos was approached for comment.