A broad-ranging inquiry investigating hydraulic fracturing in Western Australia has found that there is a level of misinformation in the public domain associated with the drilling technique that can cause confusion and mistrust.

The WA Legislative Council’s Environment and Public Affairs Committee tabled its report on ‘fracking’ in the Legislative Council yesterday following two years of evidence gathering, research and engagement with the community through public hearings and submissions.

The report, which investigated the main areas of concern raised by the community, including land access, the use of chemicals during the drilling process and water use associated with fracking, determined while there was significant concern amongst the community about the risks associated with fracking, there was also a level of misinformation regarding the public’s knowledge of the practice.

The committee said it was informed by the community of its concerns with the use of chemicals during fracking, which were described as toxic, dangerous, carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

The committee acknowledged there was much misinformation in the public domain regarding the types of chemicals that were routinely used in Australia for hydraulic fracturing, but recommended the state government ban the use of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene during fracking operations.

This was just one of the 12 recommendations drawn from the lengthy inquiry which comes in addition to 51 findings made by the committee.

The committee has also called for the establishment of an independent statutory body similar to the Queensland GasFields Commission to arbitrate access to landholders’ property by resource companies.

In addition, the committee believes the government should increase the maximum fines permitted in regulations made under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act “to a more appropriate level.”

The reports final recommendation concluded that “any future consideration of hydraulic fracturing for unconventional gas in WA be based on established facts, ascertained through baseline data and monitoring, with a view to strengthening the industry’s social licence to operate.”

“Through its inquiries, the committee has found that it is imperative to engage with affected communities early in the process of developing an unconventional gas industry in a region,” the report said.

“Operators and regulators must be informative, upfront and candid when consulting with the public.”

APPEA chief operating officer for the Western region, Stedman Ellis, said the report was a strong vote of confidence in the oil and gas industry and urged groups which had campaigned for an inquiry into hydraulic fracturing to accept the committee’s findings.

“The committee has carefully considered the evidence, it has listened to all sides of the debate and it has unanimously concluded that any concerns about fracking can be addressed through robust regulation and ongoing monitoring,” Ellis said.

“This mirrors the findings of numerous other inquiries and reviews here in Australia and overseas which have found that with careful regulation and industry best practice, fracking can be done safely.

“The public can take confidence from the fact that the committee has broadly endorsed WA’s existing regulatory framework for onshore gas while making a number of sensible recommendations to enhance safeguards.”