A controversial gas project has been given the green light to keep operating for decades to come after years of delays.
Newly-minted federal environment minister Murray Watt on Wednesday granted fossil fuel giant Woodside’s proposal to extend its North West Shelf project in Western Australia.
The approval is subject to strict conditions about the impact of air emission levels from the expanded onshore gas plant at Karratha.
The energy company has 10 business days to respond to the proposed decision.
Woodside’s proposal to extend the operating life of its gas project from 2030 to 2070 has been under assessment for six years.
Senator Watt, whose reputation as a dealmaker saw him shifted into the environment portfolio, had promised to reach a decision on the extension by May 31 at the latest.
The government twice delayed a final decision until after the election, following approval from the WA government.
Traditional owners have raised concerns about the impact of the expanded project on sacred rock art and launched legal action in a bid to compel Senator Watt to protect the artwork.
Senator Watt has rejected last-minute objections to the extension from Greenpeace and the Conservation Council of WA, which said the minister had declined to meet them.
Research released by the Australia Institute showed that emissions from the planned extension would be equivalent to 33 years of Australia’s entire emissions.
It was one of the biggest proposed fossil fuel developments in the world and it would make climate change worse, research director Rod Campbell said.
“Vast amounts of gas are exported … by a handful of predominantly foreign-owned corporations that get most of the gas for free and pay no resources tax on the gas they export,” he said.
“We would never consider allowing dozens of new coal power stations, yet Woodside’s gas export expansion plans would have even more emissions.”
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