Australian Government Approves Major Gas Project Until 2070

The Australian federal government has approved a controversial operating license for the North West Shelf gas project, extending its operation until 2070. This decision, announced on October 6, 2023, has sparked significant backlash from environmental advocates who view it as a betrayal that will have lasting consequences for future generations.

The approval grants Woodside Energy, Australia’s largest gas producer, a 40-year extension for its operations in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. Environment Minister Murray Watt stated that 48 specific restrictions have been implemented to protect the nearby world-heritage-listed Murujuga rock art. He assured that these conditions aim to minimize any unacceptable impacts while allowing gas and oil processing to continue.

“The conditions will ensure that this project will be operated in a way that does not cause unacceptable impacts to the Murujuga rock art,” Watt said. Despite these assurances, environmental organizations have expressed outrage, labeling the extension a “carbon bomb.” The Australian Conservation Foundation warned that the carbon emissions from the North West Shelf throughout its lifetime are projected to be 13 times higher than Australia’s total annual emissions.

Gavan McFadzean, climate program manager at the foundation, emphasized the broader implications of this decision, stating,

“No matter where Australian gas is burned, it puts people and nature in harm’s way by fueling more extreme weather.”

Critics argue that this extension signifies a major failure in addressing climate change. Matt Roberts, executive director of the Conservation Council WA, called it a “dangerous climate fail” and labeled the decision a mistake that would impact future generations. Traditional owners of the Murujuga area, including Raelene Cooper, voiced strong opposition, describing the approval as a “crime against Murujuga and a crime against humanity.” Cooper articulated that the decision compromises not only the local environment but also the well-being of communities worldwide.

Greenpeace WA spokesman Geoff Bice added that the Albanese government has succumbed to the pressures of the oil and gas industry, contradicting public sentiment and climate science. Paul Gamblin, chief executive of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, warned that the approval would lead to nearly half a century more of significant carbon pollution.

The project received preliminary approval in May, and since then, negotiations between Woodside and government officials have focused on the precise conditions for the processing hub. Watt indicated that the final restrictions are more stringent than those initially proposed, requiring the site to reduce emissions of certain gases by up to 60 percent. Additionally, enhanced legal protections have been mandated for parts of the Murujuga heritage site, compelling companies to consult with Indigenous groups to safeguard the ancient rock carvings.

Independent Senator David Pocock criticized the approval, calling it a betrayal of Australians, stating,

“It’s a betrayal of the people and places we love.”

Concerns have also been raised by Pacific leaders, who warn that locking in the project could damage Australia’s credibility regarding climate change initiatives. In response to these concerns, Watt asserted that the decision adheres to international law and highlighted that the Labor government has “massively advanced” Australia’s role in combating climate change.

The federal opposition and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA welcomed the approval, as did Woodside Energy. Executive vice president Liz Westcott expressed that the final approval provides certainty for the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf Project while ensuring the protection of the Murujuga rock art.

As the debate continues, the decision stands as a significant moment in Australia’s energy policy, raising questions about the balance between economic interests and environmental responsibilities.