Green groups fail in bid to delay federal call on Woodside proposal
Two major conservation groups have lost their bid to further delay Environment Minister Murray Watts' decision on Woodside's 50-year North West Shelf extension.
The deadline for a decision on the controversial proposal was delayed from March 31 until May 31 as a result of a 'reconsideration request' from the Conservation Council of WA and Greenpeace Australia to bring more of Woodside's Burrup Hub vision into the minister's assessment.
Both Greenpeace and the Conservation Council WA argued Woodside's $30 billion Browse gas field development proposal – which would use North West Shelf assets – and the company's plans to build a carbon capture and storage facility should all be considered together.
On Wednesday, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water notified the two groups that request was denied, paving the way for an imminent decision on the NWS proposal by Watt, who visited WA this week.
The hub on the Burrup Peninsula in WA's north-west is expected to generate 4.3 billion tonnes of emissions over its lifespan, more than 10 times the nation's current annual total.
Loading
CCWA executive director Matt Roberts was disappointed with the department's decision.
'We have been saying all along that without the North West Shelf, there is no Browse gas project, the plant is dependent on the approval of drilling operations in and around the pristine Scott Reef in WA's north-west to supply the gas plant on the Burrup Peninsula,' he said.
'This extension is the centrepiece of Woodside's Burrup Hub, opening up widespread industrialisation of WA's oceans and iconic Pilbara and Kimberley landscapes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Farmers hit by disasters to get financial counselling
Disaster-stricken farmers will be able to access free financial counselling, as the prime minister warns of more extreme weather events. The federal government will commit an extra $2 million to the Rural Financial Counselling Service to allow them to hire more staff and deliver increased support to farmers on the ground. While some in south-eastern Australia are battling historic droughts, those in NSW have been forced to contend with 'one-in-500 year' floods, putting significant strain on farmers across the country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged they were "doing it tough". "People put their heart and soul into their farms," he told reporters near Wasleys, north of Adelaide, on Monday. "Australia has always had droughts, we've always had flooding rains, and that has occurred throughout our history on this great continent that we're privileged to live on, but the truth is that there are more extreme weather events and they're more intense. "We need to adjust to that." The government has already promised $36 million to help farmers and producers prepare for, and respond to, drought conditions while expanding its disaster recovery allowance to more areas affected by floods. But Nationals Leader David Littleproud has called on Labor to bring back interest-free loans from the Regional Investment Corporation to help farmers experiencing hardship. The commitment, introduced by the coalition in 2020 according to Mr Littleproud, gave farmers access to a $2 million loan with an initial two-year interest-free period, then three years interest-only before five years principal and interest, offering breathing space and allowed them to restock and replant. Some members of his party have urged Australia to abandon its pursuit of net zero emissions by 2050. Mr Albanese said the science was clear about the increased frequency and ferocity of natural disasters. "Climate change is real and we need to respond to it," he said. "The science has been proven, unfortunately, to be playing out." Unusual weather has also continued to transform the east coast, with heavy fog and dust storms both blanketing Sydney in the span of one week. The prime minister maintained his government had a plan to deal with climate change, noting Australia's bid to co-host the United Nations's climate change conference with Pacific nations in 2026. Australia also remains on-track to meet its legislated 43 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030, according to Energy Minister Chris Bowen. But Labor has recently come under fire from environmental groups for giving gas giant Woodside the green light for its North West Shelf project to continue operating to 2070 as it could release 4.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over 50 years, the Australia Institute has found. Mr Bowen has said Woodside will be required to ensure the project meets net zero emissions by 2050.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Carbon tariff on the table for overseas businesses
Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia remained on-track to meet its legislated 43 per cent by 2030 emissions reduction target but that the nation needed to do more to achieve it. Asked if a carbon tariff - a tax charged on imports - was still a prospect, Mr Bowen flagged particular sectors were being considered. But consultation with Australian industry was still underway, he added. "I've had lots of meetings with steel makers and cement makers about these things over the past 12 months ... getting their feedback, and we'll have more to say during the course of this term," he told the ABC on Sunday. Mr Bowen said gas giant Woodside will be required to ensure the North West Shelf project meets net-zero emissions by 2050. Woodside hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant, and last week was given approval by the Albanese government to keep operating until 2070. The move has been slammed by environmental groups. "In effect, all the facilities covered, the more than 200 facilities covered by the safeguard mechanism are obliged to have a pathway to net-zero," the minister said. The mechanism is a policy designed to limit emissions at Australia's largest industrial facilities in line with the nation's climate targets. Religious leaders in Western Australia have expressed their disappointment at the 40-year expansion given to the energy giant. Reverend Ken Devereux, from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, said the next test for the government was to make sure the Browse project does not go ahead. Woodside has been trying to get environmental approvals for the $30 billion Browse gas project off the Kimberley coast since 2018. "We believe that moral and ethical choices for the greater good for humanity and creation need to take precedence over the benefits to fossil fuel corporations and the short-term economy," Rev Devereux said. Asked if approving gas projects would make it harder for Australia to win a global climate summit it is bidding to co-host with Pacific Island nations next year, Mr Bowen said these decisions would always be controversial. "I don't deny that, but we'll always set Australia's domestic policy in Australia's domestic best interest," he said. "There's a great opportunity for our country, (it) restores Australia's leadership in climate against the bad years of the decade of denial and delay, (and) shows we're back in a very meaningful way". Turkey is also bidding for the climate talks, with the energy minister hopeful the issue is resolved soon. Mr Bowen said Australia remains on track to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, despite a small increase in emissions last year. He also ruled out a retrospective domestic gas reservation policy to existing fields. Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia remained on-track to meet its legislated 43 per cent by 2030 emissions reduction target but that the nation needed to do more to achieve it. Asked if a carbon tariff - a tax charged on imports - was still a prospect, Mr Bowen flagged particular sectors were being considered. But consultation with Australian industry was still underway, he added. "I've had lots of meetings with steel makers and cement makers about these things over the past 12 months ... getting their feedback, and we'll have more to say during the course of this term," he told the ABC on Sunday. Mr Bowen said gas giant Woodside will be required to ensure the North West Shelf project meets net-zero emissions by 2050. Woodside hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant, and last week was given approval by the Albanese government to keep operating until 2070. The move has been slammed by environmental groups. "In effect, all the facilities covered, the more than 200 facilities covered by the safeguard mechanism are obliged to have a pathway to net-zero," the minister said. The mechanism is a policy designed to limit emissions at Australia's largest industrial facilities in line with the nation's climate targets. Religious leaders in Western Australia have expressed their disappointment at the 40-year expansion given to the energy giant. Reverend Ken Devereux, from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, said the next test for the government was to make sure the Browse project does not go ahead. Woodside has been trying to get environmental approvals for the $30 billion Browse gas project off the Kimberley coast since 2018. "We believe that moral and ethical choices for the greater good for humanity and creation need to take precedence over the benefits to fossil fuel corporations and the short-term economy," Rev Devereux said. Asked if approving gas projects would make it harder for Australia to win a global climate summit it is bidding to co-host with Pacific Island nations next year, Mr Bowen said these decisions would always be controversial. "I don't deny that, but we'll always set Australia's domestic policy in Australia's domestic best interest," he said. "There's a great opportunity for our country, (it) restores Australia's leadership in climate against the bad years of the decade of denial and delay, (and) shows we're back in a very meaningful way". Turkey is also bidding for the climate talks, with the energy minister hopeful the issue is resolved soon. Mr Bowen said Australia remains on track to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, despite a small increase in emissions last year. He also ruled out a retrospective domestic gas reservation policy to existing fields. Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia remained on-track to meet its legislated 43 per cent by 2030 emissions reduction target but that the nation needed to do more to achieve it. Asked if a carbon tariff - a tax charged on imports - was still a prospect, Mr Bowen flagged particular sectors were being considered. But consultation with Australian industry was still underway, he added. "I've had lots of meetings with steel makers and cement makers about these things over the past 12 months ... getting their feedback, and we'll have more to say during the course of this term," he told the ABC on Sunday. Mr Bowen said gas giant Woodside will be required to ensure the North West Shelf project meets net-zero emissions by 2050. Woodside hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant, and last week was given approval by the Albanese government to keep operating until 2070. The move has been slammed by environmental groups. "In effect, all the facilities covered, the more than 200 facilities covered by the safeguard mechanism are obliged to have a pathway to net-zero," the minister said. The mechanism is a policy designed to limit emissions at Australia's largest industrial facilities in line with the nation's climate targets. Religious leaders in Western Australia have expressed their disappointment at the 40-year expansion given to the energy giant. Reverend Ken Devereux, from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, said the next test for the government was to make sure the Browse project does not go ahead. Woodside has been trying to get environmental approvals for the $30 billion Browse gas project off the Kimberley coast since 2018. "We believe that moral and ethical choices for the greater good for humanity and creation need to take precedence over the benefits to fossil fuel corporations and the short-term economy," Rev Devereux said. Asked if approving gas projects would make it harder for Australia to win a global climate summit it is bidding to co-host with Pacific Island nations next year, Mr Bowen said these decisions would always be controversial. "I don't deny that, but we'll always set Australia's domestic policy in Australia's domestic best interest," he said. "There's a great opportunity for our country, (it) restores Australia's leadership in climate against the bad years of the decade of denial and delay, (and) shows we're back in a very meaningful way". Turkey is also bidding for the climate talks, with the energy minister hopeful the issue is resolved soon. Mr Bowen said Australia remains on track to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, despite a small increase in emissions last year. He also ruled out a retrospective domestic gas reservation policy to existing fields. Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia remained on-track to meet its legislated 43 per cent by 2030 emissions reduction target but that the nation needed to do more to achieve it. Asked if a carbon tariff - a tax charged on imports - was still a prospect, Mr Bowen flagged particular sectors were being considered. But consultation with Australian industry was still underway, he added. "I've had lots of meetings with steel makers and cement makers about these things over the past 12 months ... getting their feedback, and we'll have more to say during the course of this term," he told the ABC on Sunday. Mr Bowen said gas giant Woodside will be required to ensure the North West Shelf project meets net-zero emissions by 2050. Woodside hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant, and last week was given approval by the Albanese government to keep operating until 2070. The move has been slammed by environmental groups. "In effect, all the facilities covered, the more than 200 facilities covered by the safeguard mechanism are obliged to have a pathway to net-zero," the minister said. The mechanism is a policy designed to limit emissions at Australia's largest industrial facilities in line with the nation's climate targets. Religious leaders in Western Australia have expressed their disappointment at the 40-year expansion given to the energy giant. Reverend Ken Devereux, from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, said the next test for the government was to make sure the Browse project does not go ahead. Woodside has been trying to get environmental approvals for the $30 billion Browse gas project off the Kimberley coast since 2018. "We believe that moral and ethical choices for the greater good for humanity and creation need to take precedence over the benefits to fossil fuel corporations and the short-term economy," Rev Devereux said. Asked if approving gas projects would make it harder for Australia to win a global climate summit it is bidding to co-host with Pacific Island nations next year, Mr Bowen said these decisions would always be controversial. "I don't deny that, but we'll always set Australia's domestic policy in Australia's domestic best interest," he said. "There's a great opportunity for our country, (it) restores Australia's leadership in climate against the bad years of the decade of denial and delay, (and) shows we're back in a very meaningful way". Turkey is also bidding for the climate talks, with the energy minister hopeful the issue is resolved soon. Mr Bowen said Australia remains on track to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, despite a small increase in emissions last year. He also ruled out a retrospective domestic gas reservation policy to existing fields.
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Approval of Woodside's North West Shelf gas extension to 2070 slammed by religious leaders
Faith leaders say they are 'deeply troubled' by the Federal Government's decision to approve the extension of the North West Shelf gas processing facility to 2070. On Wednesday, Labor approved a 40-year extension of the country's largest gas plant. While Environment Minister Murray Watt's decision to grant the approval for Woodside's North West Shelf extension in Western Australia's Pilbara has been praised by industry and unions, others have condemned it due to the threat to the Murujuga cultural heritage. President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Charissa Suli told reporters in Perth on Sunday, she is 'profoundly disappointed' about the approval of the North West Shelf gas processing facility. 'As a daughter of the Pacific, I have witnessed first-hand the devastating impacts of climate change on culturally rich but environmentally vulnerable nations in our region,' she said. 'These nations — many of which are home to Uniting Church partners within the Asia-Pacific — contribute the least to global emissions yet suffer the greatest consequences. 'Why then is approval granted to an old, polluting facility to continue emitting vast volumes of climate damaging emissions of a magnitude many times greater than the emissions of all the Pacific nations? This is not loving thy neighbour.' Rev Mitchell Garlett from the Uniting Aboriginal & Islander Christian Congress added he is 'very disappointed' that the decision was made without 'close consultation with the relevant Traditional Owners'. 'The connection we feel to Country is not just a physical thing but a spiritual connection that is deeper than what we see with our eyes,' he said. 'It is heartbreaking that reconciliation is spoken of but our brothers and sisters voices are not being heard, and the land continues to suffer for so-called progress.' Rev Dr Ian Tozer added they are 'deeply concerned' by the threat to First Nations cultural heritage sites, including 60,000-year-old priceless petroglyphs at the World Heritage nominated Murujuga rock art site. 'It is vital that these ancient sites, so precious to Australia's First Peoples and to our history, are not further damaged by industry,' he said. Meanwhile, Woodside has said the approval would support thousands of jobs and supply affordable energy to Western Australia. The project has supplied 6000 petajoules of domestic gas, powering homes and industry in Western Australia with enough energy to power homes in a city the size of Perth for approximately 175 years, the company said.
