Breaking: Woodside Gas Extension Approved With New Safeguards for Ancient Rock Art
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The federal government has granted final approval for Woodside Energy’s North West Shelf Gas Project extension, allowing operations to continue until 2070 under 48 new conditions designed to protect Indigenous heritage and curb emissions.
Environment Minister Murray Watt confirmed the decision Friday after months of review and consultation, saying the approval balances environmental and cultural protection with energy security and jobs.
“This approval is subject to 48 strict conditions designed to protect 60,000-year-old rock art at Murujuga in the Pilbara region,” Watt said. “The conditions will ensure this project will be operated in a way that does not cause unacceptable impacts to the Murujuga rock art, including by restricting air emissions.”
The new requirements mandate reductions of some gas emissions by up to 60% by 2030 and a path to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Additional legal protections have also been imposed under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act, which Watt said would strengthen safeguards for cultural sites managed by the Ngarda-Ngarli people.
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Woodside and its North West Shelf joint venture partners welcomed the decision, saying it secures the future of one of Australia’s longest-running energy projects.
“This final approval provides certainty for the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf Project, so it can continue to provide reliable energy supplies as it has for more than 40 years,” said Liz Westcott, Woodside’s executive vice president and chief operating officer for Australia.
Westcott noted the project has contributed more than A$40 billion in royalties and excise and over A$300 million in Pilbara community initiatives. She said the approval included “rigorous conditions to manage the protection of cultural heritage.”
The North West Shelf has supplied more than 6,000 petajoules of domestic gas since its inception, enough to power a city the size of Perth for 175 years if used solely for household electricity.
Heritage and Climate at Forefront
The Murujuga Cultural Landscape, home to what experts consider one of the world’s largest and oldest rock art collections, was granted World Heritage status last year. Watt said the conditions imposed on Woodside include strict monitoring, air quality standards tied to ongoing scientific research, and penalties for breaches.
He emphasised the government’s responsibility to protect both cultural heritage and climate commitments. “It doesn’t have to be one or the other, and that’s what we’ve done today,” Watt said.
Critics, including the Greens, have described the expansion as a “carbon bomb” that complicates Australia’s ability to meet climate targets. Watt dismissed the claims, highlighting that the Albanese government has approved 99 renewable energy projects since 2022.
The decision comes as Australia seeks to reassure Pacific neighbors of its climate leadership. Asked whether the approval undermines credibility after recent climate rulings, Watt said Australia remains committed to international law and emissions targets.
“I don’t believe it undermines our reputation,” Watt said. “Our government has massively advanced Australia’s contribution to fighting climate change on the world stage.”
Long Road to Approval
The extension approval followed a four-month process after Watt initially granted provisional approval in May. Woodside was given 10 days to respond before final conditions were negotiated.
Watt said consultation led to “much more specific conditions” that were technically feasible and enforceable. “Every decision I’ve announced since coming to this portfolio has seen changes between proposed and final conditions — that’s the point of consultation,” he said.
Future Outlook
With approval now in place, the North West Shelf — operating since 1984 — is set to remain central to Australia’s domestic and export gas supply for decades.
Westcott said Woodside “remains committed to protecting the Murujuga Cultural Landscape” and noted the company supported its World Heritage nomination.
Watt added that the strengthened conditions ensure the heritage protections and emissions safeguards will be binding. “If the proponent breaches its conditions, they would face penalties under the law,” he said.
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