Australia's biggest gas project, Wodside's North West shelf, has received final approval from the Environment Minister Murray Watt to extend operations through until 2070. It's subject to 48 strict conditions to protect nearby ancient Indigenous rock art but some traditional owners are not convinced.
00:00In May, the project got a provisional tick for a 40-year extension, but haggling between Woodside and the government over the conditions held up the final approval until now.
00:14It has taken some time to reach this final decision, and I think people should take comfort from that, that we've taken this seriously.
00:21The government imposing 48 conditions, including a reduction of nitrogen oxide gases by 60% by 2030, and a target to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Greens sceptical.
00:36This project will release 6.1 billion tonnes of emissions, and also net zero till 2050 is not good enough. We need net zero by 2035.
00:47The Minister also made a separate partial declaration to protect ancient Indigenous carvings.
00:54The declaration will mean additional legal protections are placed over part of the area to ensure that Muradjuga's ancient rock art is appropriately protected into the future.
01:05Importantly, this decision does not stop industry from operating in the vicinity of Muradjuga.
01:11The move ends a three-year legal battle launched by traditional custodian Raylene Cooper, who has called the decision a slap in the face and is seeking further legal advice.
01:22We'll need to look more closely at the conditions on the Northwest Shelf Approval to see whether those conditions provide any additional protections.
01:31Other traditional custodians grateful for the additional protection.
01:36You know, it's our history, and it needs to be protected, and it should have been protected a long time ago.
01:42And, you know, now that these double layers of protection are here, we do welcome it.
01:48And yes, we're very, very happy that this has taken place.
01:52Woodside has welcomed the final approval and acknowledged the conditions requiring additional monitoring and management of air emissions.
02:02The company says it remains committed to protecting the Muradjuga cultural landscape.
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