The first project was heavily criticized by environmentalists. Over 20,000 people and 27 environment, tourism and fishing groups opposed the shale oil plant. Greenpeace claimed that greenhouse emissions from the production of shale oil were nearly four times higher than from the production of conventional oil. In response, SPP promised to reduce greenhouse emissions from production of shale oil to 5% below those of conventional oil by stage 3. Greenpeace also claimed that the Stuart Oil Shale Project was a significant source of highly toxic dioxins and would damage the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area during stage 3. Public health concerns were also mentioned. Local residents claimed dioxins emitted from the plant affected their health and that the odour was unacceptable.
