On 12 September 2025, Australia’s biggest gas project, Woodside’s North West Shelf, received final approval to extend operations through until 2070.
Environment Minister Murray Watt has placed 48 additional conditions on the project, aimed at protecting the nearby ancient Murujuga rock art.
The decision comes almost four months after Minister Watt granted conditional approval for the project, which will pave the way for the development of the huge Browse gas field off the Kimberley coast. The government and Woodside have been locked in negotiations over the extent and effect of these new conditions since May.
The conditions include reaching net zero emissions by 2050. As part of the new conditions, Woodside will also need to drastically cut emissions from the facility in coming years, including a 60 per cent reduction of certain gases – such as nitrogen oxide – by 2030, and 90 per cent by 2060.
In a second, separate decision, and as part of a court action brought by traditional custodian Raelene Cooper, Minister Watt also announced that the government would make a partial declaration of the heritage value of the surrounding Murujuga cultural landscape, adjacent to the Karratha Gas Plant, containing the ancient Murujuga rock art. The ruling brings additional legal protections to parts of the area – but does not preventing industry from operating.