Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has granted final approval for Woodside Energy's North West Shelf project extension, allowing Australia's largest LNG facility to operate until 2070.
The decision concluded a six-year assessment process that began in 2018 and comes with 48 strict environmental conditions, including requirements to reduce certain gas emissions by 60% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050.
Stipulations also focus on protecting the World Heritage-listed Murujuga rock art on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula.
“The additional conditions I have imposed add to those already set by the Western Australian Government,” Watt said in a statement.
"This will ensure that this project will be operated in a way that does not cause unacceptable impacts to the Murujuga rock art, in compliance with federal environmental law, including restricting air emissions which otherwise could have accelerated damage.
“Specifically, I have imposed conditions that will require a reduction in certain gas emissions below their current levels, in some cases by 60 percent by 2030 with ongoing reductions beyond that.”
The North West Shelf Project has paid more than $40 billion in federal royalties and taxes over the last four decades and currently supplies 14% of Western Australia's domestic gas, while supporting nearly 900 direct employees and an additional 1,300 contractors.
Political backlash intensifies
The approval has sparked fierce criticism from environmental groups, with the Greens labelling the decision "a betrayal" to voters hoping for strong climate action, arguing it undermines Australia's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Australia Institute calculates the extension will add ~90 million tonnes of emissions annually - equivalent to building 12 new coal power stations.
Over its lifetime, the project could generate up to 6.1 billion tonnes of emissions.
Traditional Owner concerns have also intensified. Samantha Walker wrote to Minister Watt stating that consent had never been obtained from Traditional Owners for the original construction or the extension.
Woodside's share price dropped more than 3% following the approval announcement, despite the certainty the decision provides for long-term operations.
