The polling, conducted by the environmental advocacy group, surveyed metropolitan voters in Perth and found that 71% expressed disapproval of both Woodside's offshore Browse development and the potential for hydraulic fracturing in the Kimberley region. The results suggest a clear preference among urban voters for enforcing domestic gas reservation policies rather than expanding gas extraction.
Woodside's Browse project, located in the Browse Basin off Western Australia's north coast, is a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) development that has been under consideration for years. The company has argued the project is essential for meeting global energy demand and providing economic benefits, including jobs and royalties. However, environmental groups and some local communities have raised concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, impacts on marine ecosystems, and the contribution to climate change.
The fracking debate in the Kimberley has been a contentious issue in Western Australia. The state government has maintained a moratorium on fracking in the region, but the possibility of lifting it has been a political flashpoint. Critics argue that fracking could harm water resources and culturally significant areas, while proponents say it could unlock significant gas reserves.
The survey also indicated that voters favour domestic gas enforcement — requiring that a portion of gas produced in the state be reserved for local use — over opening up new areas for drilling. Western Australia already has a domestic gas reservation policy that sets aside 15% of LNG output for the domestic market, but some advocates argue it should be strengthened.
Greenpeace said the results show a disconnect between government and industry enthusiasm for gas expansion and public sentiment. However, industry representatives have cautioned that polls commissioned by advocacy groups may reflect a sample bias and that the broader economic and energy security implications of restricting gas development must be considered.
The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) has previously argued that projects like Browse are vital for Australia's energy security and for supporting the transition to renewables through gas as a backup fuel. The federal government has also expressed support for new gas developments as part of its 'gas-fired recovery' strategy.
With the Western Australian state election approaching, the issue of gas development — both offshore and onshore — is likely to remain a key battleground, pitting environmental concerns against economic arguments.