MARDUDHUNERA TRADITIONAL CUSTODIAN FILES LEGAL CHALLENGE TO WOODSIDE'S SEISMIC BLASTING

A Traditional Custodian of Murujuga on the Burrup Peninsula is taking Federal Court legal action in an attempt to prevent gas giant Woodside from conducting seismic blasting off the Pilbara coast.

Mardudhunera Traditional Custodian Raelene Cooper said she fears the blasting will have an impact on whales, dugongs and other marine fauna.

Ms Cooper argues she was not adequately consulted on the plans to conduct seismic surveys, and approval for Woodside’s activities should not have been granted by offshore oil and gas regulator NOPSEMA.

Earlier this month, Woodside gained NOPSEMA’s approval to conduct blasting as part of the development of its Scarborough gas project, which makes up part of the broader Burrup Hub.

Seismic blasting involves creating massive sound waves in the ocean to map areas to discover natural gas reserves.

Ms Cooper told Ngaarda Media she’s concerned the blasting will have a devastating impact on marine life.

“They are destroying the migratory routes of our water mammals,” she said.

“The whales, the dugongs, the turtles. All of these animals, they are migratory and they all migrate here and bring the songline.”

She said that, for marine animals, the blasting, which is one of the loudest man-made sounds in the world, “is like someone putting some piercing noises in your head, and you can’t get it out.”

“I know Woodside will push for this to go through as quickly and swiftly as possible, because they need a project to get up an running.

Well you know what, not while I’m in this seat. This is not going to happen. It is wrong. They cannot do this. We need everybody to back this.”

Campaigners fear migrating pygmy blue whales are at risk from Woodside’s seismic blasting. Credit: Paul Hinton, Greenpeace.

A Woodside spokesperson said the company was aware of Ms Cooper’s legal challenge.

“Woodside will vigorously defend its ability to deliver on planned and approved activities,” they said.

The spokesperson said Woodside had consulted on the blasting plan with two organisations Ms Cooper had been involved with, Save Our Songlines and Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation.

Meanwhile, Karratha community members are planning a protest on Wednesday against the blasting.

The event will be held at Walgu Park by the newly-formed Pilbara Climate Network.

Pilbara Climate Network spokesperson Chris Jenkins said many local residents were concerned by Woodside’s plans.

“They’re planning to make these sonic booms every five seconds, day in day out, for 80 days, in the pathway of migrating animals and pygmy blue whales,” he said.

“We just don’t see how this can be done safely.”

Woodside’s spokesperson said seismic blasting was common practice in the industry.

“Marine seismic surveys are carried out by specialised ships that tow an array of acoustic sources and receivers across a defined area,” they said.

“Woodside’s seismic surveys are conducted under strict Australian and international regulations and management controls. This includes reducing the risk of potential impacts to marine fauna such as whales.”