Traditional custodian readies for 'challenge' over North West Shelf gas project extension

A Murujuga traditional custodian is threatening legal action against the federal government, after it approved the extension of Australia's biggest gas project, Woodside's North West Shelf, until 2070.

On Friday, Environment Minister Murray Watt granted the project final approval, almost four months after he gave Woodside 10 days to respond to his provisional approval for the extension.

The approval is subject to 48 strict conditions, including reducing certain gas emissions by 2030, aimed at protecting nearby ancient Indigenous rock art.

Mardathoonera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper described the approval as a "betrayal" to Aboriginal people.

"I have already instructed my lawyers to put the Minister on notice that this decision may have breached his statutory duties and international legal obligations," she said.

She said the conditions placed on the project were no better than those that already existed.

Mr Watt said on Friday the 48 conditions would "avoid and mitigate" significant impacts to the ancient Murujuga rock art in the region, which is adjacent to the gas plant.

But Ms Cooper said the conditions did not go far enough.

"There could be 100 [conditions] from our West Australian and Australian government … I can tell you very confidently those [conditions] aren't nearly enough," she said.

Ms Cooper said Mr Watt's decision to exempt all "industrial gaseous emissions" was offensive and would allow industry to continue damaging the rock art.

"This was not a recommendation from the department, or the independent expert report, or part of the initial UNESCO World Heritage recommendations the government lobbied against.

Ms Cooper has spent years fighting for the protection of the rock art in northern WA and in 2022 lodged an application under the Aboriginal Heritage Protection Act (AHPA) over fears three nearby industrial projects, including the North West Shelf,  were accelerating the degradation of the World Heritage-listed rock art.

Ms Cooper said the federal government's North West Shelf extension approval was a betrayal of Aboriginal people, elders and all Australians.

But some Indigenous groups welcomed the approval.

Peter Hicks, chair of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation said it provided “an even clearer way forward and we thank the Federal Government for enacting a critical part of Australia's legislative framework to ensure that this sacred place is protected in perpetuity,"

'Critical role' for gas

Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief economist Aaron Morey, who will soon take the chief executive role in the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA, also welcomed the extension.

"Gas is going to play a critical role in our energy transition and supporting new renewable technologies, it's also really important to our manufacturing sector and for keeping prices down for households," he said.

"So we think that's the right decision and we welcome the government's decision making and consultation on that issue."

In a statement, Woodside's chief operating officer Liz Westcott said the project's approval provided certainty for ongoing operations.

"Over this time, the North West Shelf Project has paid more than A$40 billion in royalties and excise, supported thousands of Australian jobs and contributed well over A$300 million to communities in the Pilbara through social investment initiatives and infrastructure support," she said.

Ms Westcott said the decision had followed an "extensive assessment and appeal process", with conditions that would protect cultural heritage.