North West Shelf: Australian Conservation Foundation to challenge minister’s approval of Woodside project

Premier Roger Cook has backed the Federal Government’s decision on the North West Shelf Venture’s life extension after two legal challenges were launched. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt last month approved Woodside Energy’s plan to run the project until 2070 amid hot debate over the impact on the Burrup Peninsula’s World Heritage rock art precinct and climate change. The green-light was a crucial step towards development of the $30 billion Browse project and followed almost seven years of scrutiny. But uncertainty still hangs over Browse as Woodside has already confirmed some parts of the Karratha gas export plant will be shut down within the next decade; and the offshore project will need a separate approval. The Australian Conservation Foundation and Friends of Australian Rock Art have both launched proceedings in the Federal Court to challenge the decision. Woodside will defend the suits “vigorously”. ACF will claim Senator Watt did not consider the physical impact of climate change, nor properly assess the project’s gas sources, and wrongly considered Browse’ economic benefits. FARA will argue the approval was invalid because the “minister failed to properly take into consideration the economic and social harms” from damage to the heritage precinct. Mr Cook said he was not surprised by the challenge but declared the court would uphold Senator Watt’s call. “We expected the decision by the government to be challenged in relation to these things,” he said. “That’s why it was important that the Commonwealth took the time to deeply reflect on the scientific evidence that was put in front of them, weigh up the different views that were put to them. “I think Murray Watt made the right decision, and I’m sure the court will prove that correct.” Senator Watt said his decision was “made in accordance with the law”. “The conditions I set, along with those set by the WA Government, were designed to prevent significant damage to the rock art which is the test required under the (Federal environment) Act,” he said. Documents released by the Federal environment department last week revealed concerns about industrial emissions damaging the Burrup Peninsula’s rock art — key to the site’s World Heritage listing — remain. Senator Watt initially wanted Woodside to cut emissions to an undetectable level but dialled down those proposed emissions rules after the company warned the government’s draft targets may not be technically achievable. ACF general counsel Adam Beeson said North West Shelf would emit almost 4 billion tonnes of “climate pollution”. “We are already living in the era of climate consequences and our window to avoid the worse to come is rapidly closing.” Woodside pledged to “to vigorously defend its position in these proceedings”. “The Federal Government’s approval follows a comprehensive and extended assessment carried out by both Commonwealth and State regulators in accordance with statutory processes,” a spokesman said. “The North West Shelf project extension was referred to the Federal regulator on 14 November 2018 and was under assessment for nearly seven years.” The two lawsuits will be the latest in a string of high-profile battles against the oil and gas industry, which is WA’s second-biggest export.