2nd April 2012

An independent survey study, to that undertaken by the State Government’s, State Development Commission reveals that false/misleading information was submitted regarding endangered turtle populations at the proposed LNG Precinct at James Price Point.

The recent environmental impact study revealed just one old turtle nest whilst the independent study, led by Melbourne University marine biologist Malcolm Lindsay, found 14 nesting sites, along a 6km stretch of coast, that would be affected by the proposed gas hub.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) considers any nesting population as “significant”, due to the threatened nature of the 3 species identified. The government study surveyed only 12 per cent of the coastline most threatened by the precinct, overlooking the significant 6km strip.

This study aligns with the study also conducted regarding humpback whale migrations where huge conflicts of data exist between State Government surveys and independent surveys by marine scientists.

These findings come hot on the heels of a new discovery of 20 million barrels of oil in wells on the Ungani oilfield near Broome by Buru Energy.