Premier Mark McGowan looks set to lift a Statewide moratorium on fracking, in a move which has put him on a collision course with Labor backbenchers.

Labor insiders said “it was almost certain” fracking would be allowed in many parts of WA as part of a peace deal with onshore exploration companies.

Sources said it was likely a ban on fracking in the South West, Peel and Perth would remain, but the gas extraction technique would be allowed in the State’s north.

The Sunday Times understands some backbenchers weren’t happy with the compromise plan, with two Labor MPs yesterday airing their concerns.

Camera Icon Labor Member for Mining and Pastoral Region Kyle McGinn. Credit: Tori O’Connor

ALP Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Kyle McGinn said there was a danger that giving the go-ahead to fracking in some areas but not others would “segregate traditional landowners and make it worse”.

“My view is that if you had something (a ban) in the Peel and in the city, it would be unfair on particularly my electorate to have something different,” Mr McGinn said.

Fracking involves drilling deep underground and then injecting a high-pressure mix of water, sand and chemicals to free gas locked in rocks.

The Labor Government imposed a Statewide moratorium on fracking last year while a scientific inquiry looked into the effects on the environment.

Before that, Labor said fracking would be banned for existing and future petroleum titles in the South West, Peel and metropolitan area.

“I have fears for it in my electorate,” Mr McGinn said.

“We have to mindful of the decisions we make because, whether or not we see the damage now or 10 to 15 years, the decision will have been made by this Government. Not that I doubt that if it was to go ahead, the right regulations would be in place to make it more rock tight, but I just think we need to be mindful of how we do that because if we do it wrong we have segregated traditional owners.”

The results of the scientific inquiry, chaired by Dr Tom Hatton, have not been made public.

Labor insiders said the report was “favourable” towards fracking — a finding which had made it difficult for Mr McGowan to stick to a blanket ban.

With Cabinet soon to formally announce a position, Mr McGowan has moved to appease anti-fracking MPs by inviting them to a briefing by Dr Hatton tomorrow.

One of those who will attend the meeting is Labor Agricultural Region MLC Darren West, who yesterday said he was opposed to fracking.

“I have a lot of concerns about the possible implications on groundwater,” he said.