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.
A turtle rescue at Peregian Beach has prompted a fresh call for residents to watch for vulnerable marine animals as nesting season approaches. Coolum and North Shore Coast Care has responded to four turtle rescues in the past four days. Coast Care's Lana Baskerville urged residents to report turtles needing help, including those that are injured or unwell. Residents are asked to watch for turtle tracks in the sand, which can show a turtle has come ashore to nest. Nesting season runs from November to April.
Western suburbs residents are being asked to drive slowly around local wetlands during turtle nesting season, from September to November. Southwestern snake-necked turtles, which are unique to Western Australia, face threats from vehicle strikes, foxes and ravens. The species is listed as near threatened, but local volunteers say numbers have declined sharply. Friends of Lake Claremont volunteers patrol the lake, protect nests with mesh frames and guide turtles safely back to water. The town has also installed turtle warning signs on nearby roads.
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Thirteen rescued turtles have been returned to the Gingham water hole in western New South Wales, which is full again. The turtles were rescued in April after environmental flows to the area were stopped following a landholder complaint, causing deaths of turtles, birds, frogs and sheep. Water was turned back on in May after the government changed legislation to protect WaterNSW from liability claims. Taronga zoo in Dubbo is incubating 281 eggs, with hatchlings expected early next year. Environment minister Penny Sharpe called the outcome a remarkable conservation opportunity.
Ten broad-shelled turtles and three Murray River turtles have been returned to Gingham Waterhole in the Gwydir Wetlands in north-west NSW. The reptiles were rescued from the dried-out wetland in April and rehabilitated at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. More than 250 turtle eggs are incubating at the zoo, with hatchlings expected to be released by the end of next year. Environmental water flows have resumed, allowing the staged return of the turtles to their natural habitat.
