Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek held secret meetings in WA’s Pilbara region to discuss $4.5 billion project

Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek has held secret meetings in WA’s Pilbara region as she considers bringing a halt to a $4.5 billion project — signed off by the State’s Environmental Protection Authority nearly a year ago.

Ms Plibersek flew to Karratha on Tuesday to meet the “parties involved” in a urea project on WA’s Burrup Peninsula after traditional owners asked the Albanese Government to intervene.

They have called for a stop to the project by Perth chemicals company Perdaman, over heritage concerns.

The Federal Government put the brakes on the project last month amid fears pollution from the plant would greatly accelerate the degradation of 40,000 year-old rock art.

Ms Plibersek refused to provide details on who she was meeting and declined to let media attend.

“As has been reported, I have received an application for a section 9 declaration under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act,” the Environment Minister said in a statement.

“I am carefully considering the application. I have made no decision.

“This trip is for me to listen to groups involved in, and potentially affected by, any decision I make. I will not be making further public comment about the matter.”

The McGowan Government supports the development, insisting the project would play a key role in helping to diversify the WA economy and create local jobs.

It is expected to produce two million tonnes of fertiliser grade urea each year when operational.

Perdaman was granted EPA approval last September, subject to a number of conditions, including air emissions having no impact on the weathering of rock art within Murujuga beyond natural rates and for the company to provide a revised greenhouse-gas management plan.

Perdaman did not respond to a request for comment.