Experts reject green hub
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A colossal wind and solar energy hub planned for the Nullarbor Plain has triggered backlash from scientists.
The proposed $100 billion Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH), aiming to produce hydrogen and ammonia for export markets, is facing fierce criticism for its potential to irrevocably damage the world’s largest arid limestone karst system.
Stretching across 22,000 square kilometres in Western Australia, the project area overlaps a fragile limestone landscape harbouring caves, ancient groundwater systems, and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Environmental experts have called the development a threat to the Nullarbor Plain, which they argue meets multiple criteria for UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Dr Stefan Eberhard, co-founder of Save the Nullarbor, has described the karst region as a “nature hotspot with outstanding universal values”, home to “a spectacular hidden world of ancient caves and rock holes of staggering dimensions, beauty, scientific values, and priceless cultural importance.”
The energy hub, championed by a consortium including InterContinental Energy and CWP Global, plans to generate 70 gigawatts of renewable energy annually.
This vast infrastructure would involve approximately 3,000 wind turbines, 35 solar farms, desalination plants, and shipping facilities.
However, critics argue that the environmental review process, which accepted public submissions for about a week, does not sufficiently account for the region's unique subterranean biodiversity.
The project proponents have claimed equity partnerships with Native Title holders.
Nevertheless, scientists warn that the anticipated industrialisation will compromise over 4,500 identified karst features within the proposed footprint, including over 400 caves and 1,900 blowholes.
Professor David Gillieson, a prominent cave scientist, expressed alarm at the potential destruction of “caves [that] have preserved ancient underground landscapes, environmental histories and fauna that have remained ‘frozen in time’ for hundreds of thousands and even millions of years.”.
Despite recommendations from a 1992 report highlighting the Nullarbor karst's World Heritage significance, federal and state governments have yet to take protective measures.
Environmental law expert Dr Gerry Bates says Australia has an international obligation under UNESCO conventions to safeguard areas of exceptional value.
“The Minister for the Environment may immediately declare a property that is likely to have world heritage values as a 'declared world heritage property' under s 14 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which would trigger protective functions under the Act, including the necessity for the environment minister to assess the proposal for significant impacts on world heritage values,” he said.
In South Australia, where adjacent karst systems are already being considered for World Heritage nomination.
The Nullarbor’s caves not only host unique blind cave fauna, such as the Troglodiplura spider, but also support rare microbial ecosystems, some of which resemble life in deep ocean vents.
These fragile environments are susceptible to contamination and physical damage, especially from increased human activity.
Aboriginal heritage is also at risk, with the Mirning People’s rock art and ceremonial sites spread across the region.
Nullarbor caves have historically served as vital water sources and shelters, connecting Indigenous traditions to the land for over 40,000 years.
Dr Eberhard warned that industrialisation would permanently alter the Nullarbor's environmental and cultural integrity.
He noted that more than 8,000 workers would relocate to a previously sparsely populated area, drastically increasing the likelihood of environmental degradation.
“Large intact and relatively pristine regions such as the Nullarbor are becoming rarer,” said Dr Eberhard.
With the public comment period closed, conservationists hope Australians have done enough to trigger a full environmental review.
