By Emma Young
A group of scientists has voiced dismay at a federal decision to disregard any heritage value of Western Australia’s Nullarbor Plain in considering a $100 billion wind and solar project proposal.
The Western Green Energy Hub would build 3000 wind turbines and six million solar panels in WA to power production of hydrogen and ammonia, mostly for export, though potentially leaving some for local use.
These ochre hand stencils in a Nullarbor cave indicate the traditional ownership of the Mirning Peoples who used the cave system for shelter, ceremony, creative expression and a source of water and flint for tools.Credit: Stefan & Bronwen Eberhard
The project would start at the South Australian border and stretch west along the Nullarbor for hundreds of kilometres near the world’s largest arid limestone karst system, which Save the Nullarbor scientists describe as “a spectacular hidden world of ancient caves and rock holes of staggering dimensions, beauty, scientific values, and priceless cultural importance”.
A delegate of federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has determined the project will require a full assessment of its impact on three criteria: threatened species, migratory species and the Great Australian Bight Marine Park.
But there is no order to assess the impact on two more criteria: World Heritage and National Heritage impacts.
Save the Nullarbor says this “almost ensures the development will proceed without appropriate scrutiny” and represents the Minister “abrogating responsibility” under World Heritage laws.
They point to a 1992 Commonwealth-commissioned report and, more recently, a 2022 report by the Wilderness Society and Sea Shepherd Australia showing the area has world heritage significance.
The WA government of 1992 did not support the World Heritage nomination, so did not proceed; by contrast, the SA government made a 2022 election commitment to secure World Heritage protection for its side of the Nullarbor and Great Australian Bight.
Save the Nullarbor says both sides share the outstanding universal values and allowing damage or alteration before appropriate verification work could breach Australia’s legal responsibilities under the World Heritage Convention.
More than 22,000 people have signed a petition, tabled in federal parliament on February 5, opposing the location of the energy hub, while acknowledging that Australia needs new energy developments.
They have called for a pause on assessment until an independent assessment is made of the entire Nullarbor’s heritage values.
Plibersek did not answer a question on this possibility, or why heritage was not considered relevant.
WGEH chief executive Dr Ray Macdonald said his team supported the minister’s decision and the further assessment work now to be undertaken.
“Our project is complex and extensive, and it is important that we have a complete understanding of the species, ecosystems and other values that are protected or particularly sensitive,” he said.
“Advanced studies will guide our primary avoidance strategy, meaning significant areas can be
totally avoided and buffer zones introduced to ensure we have no physical overlay nor impact”.
He said the Nullarbor had not been studied in detail and was often under-represented in state and federal data sources, and the continuing investigative work conducted by WGEH would add significant value to these.
The multinational consortium behind the project includes InterContinental Energy, CWP Global and Mirning Green Energy.