Woodside gains state approval for massive 50-year Karratha gas plant extension

Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact of emissions from the $45 billion company’s LNG plants expediting the erosion of ancient World Heritage nominated Aboriginal rock art.

The WA government has vowed to reach net zero by 2050, but is the only jurisdiction nationally without a 2030 emissions target and where emissions are rising.

Green groups had dubbed a ruling on the project the nation’s biggest climate decision, one the Conservation Council of WA said represented a test in how governments would confront climate and cultural heritage.

The decision coincides with the release of new footage of Scott Reef off WA’s north-west coast amid concerns held by renowned author Tim Winton’s about the impact of drilling for Browse, which lies less than three kilometres from the reef.

But the state government has touted the need to balance gas supply security with environmental considerations, with Premier Roger Cook framing the proposal as an “opportunity” for the state to secure its energy future.

Cook’s sentiments have also been echoed by Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King.

On Thursday, Cook told the media the government was eager to protect the pristine environment, which is why the Browse project was being subjected to a rigorous assessment progress.

But the premier said the role of gas as a smoothing fuel in its clean energy plan and that of economies globally was also an important consideration.

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“We are trying to save the planet, not just trying to save Western Australia and this small part of the planet,” he said.

“We know that gas is going to play an important role in helping other countries to get out of coal and to move on their clean energy transition process, and will continue to be an important part of our fuel needs as well as we continue to retire all our coal-fired power stations by 2030.

“It’s a complex process, and it’s important that we step through it carefully.”

Woodside has previously said that while confident its referral documents demonstrated its intent to manage the environmental risks, it continued to gather data and monitor advances in best practice mitigation.

More to come.