The decision follows Whitby’s dismissal of more than 700 appeals contesting the approval of the plan by the state’s environmental regulator in 2022 and the WA government’s decision to handball responsibility for CO₂ reduction to the Commonwealth.
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The state’s Environmental Protection Authority gave the proposal the nod on the condition Woodside gradually decreased its emissions every five years to zero between 2030 and 2050.
The plan to extend the life of Australia’s largest export facility is a critical part of the Browse joint venture between Woodside, BP, Mitsui, Mitsubishi and PetroChina, which hinges on its ability to pipe gas 1000 kilometres from the field to the 40-year-old plant for processing.
In August, WAtoday revealed that the EPA’s preliminary view was that the Browse gas export project should not go ahead over the threat it posed to endangered animals and the risk of an oil spill.
Both projects have faced staunch opposition from conservation groups over their environmental impact, from emissions from the $45 billion company’s LNG plants to the erosion of ancient World Heritage nominated Aboriginal rock art.
The protest outside Woodside’s Perth headquarters on Friday morning.Credit: Jesinta Burton
The approval has been met with scathing criticism, with Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O’Shanassy branding it “irresponsible in the extreme” and the Conservation Council of WA accusing the WA government of “capitulating” to pressure.
The WA government has vowed to reach net zero by 2050, but is the only jurisdiction nationally without a 2030 emissions target and where emissions are rising.
But the government has staunchly defended its conduct, claiming the state needs to balance gas supply security with environmental considerations and touting the role of gas as a smoothing fuel in the global transition to clean energy.
On Thursday, the oil and gas giant’s executive vice president Liz Westcott said the company was committed to meeting all environmental requirements, including the approval conditions and its obligations to traditional owners.
Under the NWS approval, Woodside will be required to regularly review operational measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions, lodge a new marine management plan before 2026, monitor air quality and consult Murujuga traditional landowners.
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