Last week in the Bunbury Mail Member for Forrest Nola Marino and environmental groups were outraged after hearing the process could be occurring in the region.

Fracking is a process which involves injecting a mixture of water and chemicals into the ground to release tight, shale or coal seam gas.

The contentious issue of fracking is supported by the Department of Mines and Petroleum who said that unconventional gas would play an important part of WA’s energy future.

The department confirmed there had been five exploration permits approved in the South West.

A department spokesman said that any application for exploration would be assessed through department regulations and with environmental and water corporations.

“The department would require details of the chemicals, how they would be used and how the surrounding environment would be protected,” he said.

Westralian Gas and Power is a major company identified to be focused on developing coal seam gas in WA and in particular near Busselton.

The company currently holds the majority of petroleum licences over prospective coal seams in WA with 10 exploration permits and two mineral exploration permits.

Westralian Power and Gas were unable to provide a comment before the paper went to press.