The environment watchdog has warned that Woodside Energy's plan to develop a gasfield off Western Australia's coast could damage coral reefs and wildlife. Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern will lecture at the University of Sydney from this week. The Australian Signals Directorate has warned that some online services may go offline unexpectedly. Other stories include a Queensland funding cut to a community legal centre, a body found in floodwaters and Brazil's presidential election result.
Woodside Energy's plan to drill for gas off Western Australia's north-west coast could significantly damage coral reefs and endangered turtles, according to a draft letter from the state's environmental watchdog. The letter, written in 2023 and seen by the Guardian, said the company's protections for turtles and blue whales near Scott Reef would be ineffective. In February 2024, the watchdog told Woodside it planned to reject the project. Woodside has since added shear rams to its drilling plans, a step it says would limit the length of any well blowout.
Climate campaigners and green experts have condemned the UK government's decision to allow drilling at the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea. They say the approval will jeopardise UK climate targets and fail to lower living costs. Critics argue the gas will be sold on international markets, so it will not boost UK energy security. Campaigners say the project will create only 27 full-time jobs. Several Labour MPs are reportedly disappointed, while the Green party says the decision will cost the party climate credibility.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
The UK government is set to approve drilling at the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea on Wednesday, a decision to be announced from Aberdeen. The field is operated by Shell and Equinor. Climate campaigners have criticised the move, saying it undermines Labour's green commitments. A recent poll found nearly a third of voters would be less likely to back Labour if it approved more North Sea drilling. The decision on the larger Rosebank field is expected later this year.
Police have detained a group of Greenpeace campaigners who had occupied gas equipment for two days at Woodside's Scarborough field, offshore from Western Australia. The protesters are opposing the company's proposal to extract gas close to Scott Reef, an action the organisation argues would seriously harm sea life and the climate. Greenpeace is urging the Commonwealth government to turn down the scheme.
