The Uniting Church has called for a moratorium on unconventional gas exploration and extraction activities across the state in a push toward the use of renewable energy alternatives.
The call comes following the issuance of licenses for the exploration of shale and tight gas development in vast areas of Western Australia, including Ningaloo Coast, Kwonghan Heathland, and the Kimberley region.
Head of the Uniting Church of WA, Reverend Steve Francis, said that the group was concerned of the effects exposure to chemicals would have on communities in the long-run.
"Research and experience points to long term, low-level exposure to many of the chemicals involved in the process are linked with a range of diseases, including cancers and diseases which can affect the growth and development of children."
"Whilst gas is often touted as a 'clean fuel', it remains a significant source of carbon emissions from which we should be moving away," Rev Steve added.
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, involves drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks and extract natural gas inside.
The process produces significant levels of greenhouse gas emissions and has been known to contaminate groundwater aquifers on occasion.
In Western Australia, the Department for Mines and Petroleum is free to legally grant exploration, retention and development on private land without the landowner's consent.