Overview

• Federal documents show initial ‘no detectable emissions’ safeguards for Woodside’s North West Shelf were replaced with phased cuts after the company argued the earlier plan was not technically feasible.
• The final approval requires about 60% reductions in acidic pollutants by 2030 and about 90% by 2061 across the facility and each production line, with 48 conditions attached.
• Murray Watt concluded multiple lines of evidence indicate industrial emissions have accelerated and irreversibly weathered Murujuga’s rocks, applying a precautionary approach.
• The minister acknowledged progressive cuts increase short‑term risk to the art but judged any impact small and outweighed by social and economic factors.
• Woodside maintains research on emission impacts is not conclusive, Western Australia’s regulator points to mostly historical degradation below its concern level, and traditional custodians and conservation groups criticised the weakened conditions.