Environmental groups have voiced concern over the latest round of offshore oil and gas exploration leases granted last week.

The Conservation Council of Western Australia’s marine co-ordinator Tim Nichol said he was particularly worried about one lease granted to Woodside Energy and Mitsui & Co which was located just 20km outside of Ningaloo Marine Park.

“The Ningaloo Reef draws in millions of tourist dollars every year,” he said.

“An oil spill in this region would cripple this industry and put thousands of Western Australians out of work.”

“We need to set up a marine sanctuary to keep out the oil rigs and insure our natural heritage against industrial disasters.”

This was a sentiment echoed by Green’s Senator Rachel Siewert.

She said she agreed there needed to be tighter controls on offshore oil and gas operations. “However, no amount of regulation can give a 100 per cent guarantee of safety, which is why it is important that our most precious natural resources are protected,” she said.

“It is disappointing that our unique environment is once again a secondary consideration."

Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said Australia needed to further develop offshore petroleum industry to deal with the current deficit in oil.

“The Australian Government is ensuring that oil and gas exploration and production in Australian waters is the best and safest in the world, with a world-class regulatory system, diligent and effective regulators and competent and professional operators.”

He said although the exploration permits had been granted the companies still had to go through lengthy approvals processes before any kind of disruption, such as drilling or seismic surveys could commence.

“The Government has put in place the appropriate safeguards to ensure the highest possible safety standards for both workers and the environment.”

Woodside also said if they were to drill in the area there would be enough safety measures in place to mitigate any kind of emergency.

A spokesperson for the company, Laura Hammer, said Woodside, at a minimum, complied with all appropriate environmental legislation.