Western Green Energy Hub federal environmental assessment will not consider heritage values

Introduction: Controversy Over the Nullarbor Plain’s Future

The Nullarbor Plain, a vast and remote region in Western Australia, has become the center of a heated debate over the balance between environmental protection and economic development. A group of scientists has expressed deep concern over a federal decision to overlook the potential World and National Heritage values of the region in the consideration of a proposed $100 billion wind and solar energy project. The Western Green Energy Hub, as the project is called, aims to construct 3,000 wind turbines and six million solar panels across the Nullarbor Plain. While the project promises to generate clean energy for hydrogen and ammonia production—largely for export, with some potential for local use—experts warn that it could irreparably harm a region they describe as an “irreplaceable global treasure.”

At the heart of the issue is the federal government’s decision to limit the environmental impact assessment to three criteria: threatened species, migratory species, and the Great Australian Bight Marine Park. Notably absent from this list are evaluations of the project’s impact on World Heritage and National Heritage values. Save the Nullarbor, a group of scientists and conservationists, argues that this omission “almost ensures the development will proceed without appropriate scrutiny” and accuses the federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, of “abrogating responsibility” under World Heritage laws.

The Cultural and Environmental Significance of the Nullarbor Plain

The Nullarbor Plain is more than just a desolate expanse of land; it is a region of profound cultural, scientific, and environmental significance. The area is home to the world’s largest arid limestone karst system, a “spectacular hidden world of ancient caves and rock holes of staggering dimensions, beauty, scientific values, and priceless cultural importance.” These caves and rock formations have been a vital part of the Mirning Peoples’ traditions for thousands of years, serving as shelters, ceremonial sites, and sources of water and tools. Ochre hand stencils in the caves are a testament to the deep connection between the land and its Indigenous custodians.

The region’s natural and cultural richness has long been recognized by experts. A 1992 Commonwealth-commissioned report and a 2022 report by the Wilderness Society and Sea Shepherd Australia both highlight the Nullarbor Plain’s potential to meet UNESCO World Heritage criteria. However, despite these findings, the Western Australian government declined to pursue World Heritage listing in 1992. In contrast, the South Australian government made a 2022 election commitment to secure World Heritage protection for its side of the Nullarbor and the adjacent Great Australian Bight.

Save the Nullarbor argues that both sides of the Nullarbor share “outstanding universal values” that warrant protection. Allowing development to proceed without proper verification of these values could violate Australia’s legal obligations under the World Heritage Convention, which requires signatory nations to protect and preserve sites of global significance for future generations.

The Proposed Western Green Energy Hub

The Western Green Energy Hub is a massive renewable energy project designed to harness the Nullarbor Plain’s abundant wind and solar resources. Stretching hundreds of kilometers from the South Australian border westward, the project would generate enough clean energy to produce hydrogen and ammonia for both export and domestic use. Proponents of the project argue that it represents a critical step in Australia’s transition to renewable energy and could play a significant role in reducing the country’s carbon footprint.

However, the project’s sheer scale has raised concerns among scientists and conservationists. The construction of 3,000 wind turbines and six million solar panels would require extensive land clearing and infrastructure development in a region that is both environmentally fragile and culturally sensitive. While the federal government has mandated an assessment of the project’s impact on threatened species, migratory species, and the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, critics argue that this narrow focus ignores the broader environmental and cultural risks.

The Federal Decision and Its Implications

The federal Environment Minister’s delegate has determined that the Western Green Energy Hub requires a full environmental impact assessment based on three specific criteria: threatened species, migratory species, and the Great Australian Bight Marine Park. While these criteria are undeniably important, the decision to exclude World Heritage and National Heritage impacts has sparked outrage among conservationists. Save the Nullarbor contends that this oversight effectively bypasses necessary scrutiny and undermines Australia’s commitment to protecting its most valuable sites.

The group points to the region’s well-documented heritage values as evidence of the need for a more comprehensive assessment. Since the 1992 Commonwealth report, there has been mounting evidence of the Nullarbor Plain’s eligibility for World Heritage status. The 2022 report by the Wilderness Society and Sea Shepherd Australia further underscores the region’s global significance, highlighting its unique geological features, biodiversity, and cultural landmarks. By failing to consider these factors, the federal government risks allowing irreparable damage to a site that could one day be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Historical Context and the Path Forward

The debate over the Nullarbor Plain’s future is not new. In 1992, the Commonwealth government commissioned a report that identified the region’s potential for World Heritage listing, but the Western Australian government ultimately declined to pursue nomination. This decision was likely influenced by competing priorities, including economic development and resource extraction.

Fast forward to 2022, and the political landscape has shifted somewhat. The South Australian government has committed to securing World Heritage protection for its side of the Nullarbor and the Great Australian Bight. This move reflects a growing recognition of the region’s global importance and the need to balance economic interests with environmental and cultural preservation.

Save the Nullarbor and other conservation groups are now calling for a similar commitment from the Western Australian government. They argue that the two sides of the Nullarbor Plain share the same outstanding universal values and that piecemeal protection is insufficient to safeguard the region’s integrity. Allowing development to proceed on the Western Australian side before completing the necessary verification work could permanently damage a site that holds immense cultural and scientific value.

The group is urging the federal government to reconsider its decision and expand the scope of the environmental impact assessment to include World Heritage and National Heritage impacts. This would ensure that the Western Green Energy Hub is developed in a way that respects both the region’s natural and cultural legacy and Australia’s international obligations under the World Heritage Convention.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The Nullarbor Plain stands at a crossroads, with its future hanging in the balance. On one hand, the Western Green Energy Hub represents an opportunity to advance Australia’s renewable energy goals and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. On the other hand, the project poses significant risks to a region that is not only a “spectacular hidden world” of natural wonders but also a sacred landscape for the Mirning Peoples and other Indigenous communities.

The federal government’s decision to overlook the region’s World and National Heritage values in the environmental impact assessment has drawn sharp criticism from scientists, conservationists, and cultural advocates. They argue that this omission undermines Australia’s commitment to protecting its most valuable sites and sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of other regions with similar significance.

Save the Nullarbor and its allies are calling for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to evaluating the project’s impact. By expanding the scope of the assessment to include World Heritage and National Heritage considerations, the federal government can ensure that the Western Green