The approval of the North West Shelf extension is an important step towards delivering more reliable energy to all Australians and help to keep our industries competitive.
The $30 billion project off Western Australia’s north coast, which had been tied up in the approvals process for six years, finally received approval from the Federal Government today, subject to strict conditions around air pollution.
Woodside will now determine whether it will accept the conditions imposed under the approval.
CCIWA Chief Executive, Peter Cock, the approval will give certainty to the project’s proponents, industry, and the broader community.
“Reliable gas supplies underpin much of WA’s industry and economic activity,” Dr Cock said.
“The North West Shelf extension will secure Australia’s gas supplies for decades to come, supporting our economy and keeping costs down for families.
“Gas also has around half the carbon emissions of coal in electricity generation, so will be an essential source of energy as we make the transition to renewables.”
Dr Cock said gas is vital not only for WA but the rest of the country.
“Gas supports industries including iron ore mining, manufacturing, construction, food production, water desalination and products like fertilisers,” he said.
“It also provides affordable and reliable electricity to the grid, keeping the lights on during surges like heatwaves with lower emissions than coal.
“A gas shortage would have devastating impacts on industry and households, but also on our nation’s ability to make the leap to renewables.”
Dr Cock said while the decision to approve the extension project was ultimately the right one, lengthy delays risk damaging Australia’s reputation as a good place to invest.
“Woodside should be commended for the detailed and patient work that has led to this outcome, satisfying both state and federal environmental regulators to allow the project to go ahead, subject to strict conditions,” he said.
“Six years is an unacceptable length of time for a project like this to be in limbo.
“The companies that back major projects like this need certainty. If projects are allowed to languish for years in approval pipelines in Australia, investors will simply look elsewhere.”
“It is simply not rigorous or efficient to have state and federal approvals for projects like this duplicated and running on different timelines.
“It doesn’t lead to better outcomes for the environment. It simply adds cost and complexity for investors and creates uncertainty for the economy.
“That is why we welcome the Federal Government’s renewed efforts to deliver sensible environmental approval reforms.”
