Woodside’s bid to extend the life of its North West Shelf gas project until 2070 has been given the green light.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt today approved the massive development near Indigenous rock art, but with strict conditions.

The decision ends almost seven years of approvals processes and a bid for ancient rock art in the region to be given World Heritage status. 

“Following the consideration of rigorous scientific and other advice including submissions from a wide cross-section of the community, I have today made a proposed decision to approve this development, subject to strict conditions, particularly relating to the impact of air emissions levels from the operation of an expanded on-shore Karratha gas plant,” Watt said in a statement.

Watt’s first major decision in the new role was hailed by the resources industry but left climate campaigners and Indigenous advocates devastated.

“This flies in the face of all of the scientific evidence on climate change,” Australian Conservation Foundation campaigner Piper Rollins said.

Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson said it was a “really important step in ensuring the ongoing energy security”.

Traditional Owners are now preparing for a legal fight to challenge the decision. 

The approval is subject to environmental conditions, and while Woodside is already welcoming the decision, the energy giant is still considering the full implications of those conditions. It has 10 days to respond. 

The WA Greens said the approval was “quicker than what Peter Dutton was doing” but Labor Premier Roger Cook defended the move.

“The science is the science,” he said.

“We can adequately manage the cultural heritage issues in that region.”

If the Woodside project progresses, it paves the way to drill the nearby Browse Basin, Australia’s largest untapped gas field.

The Australian Marine Conservation Society condemned the approval, warning it would open the door to drilling at Scott Reef.

“This highly regrettable decision paves the way for massively polluting fossil gas from the Browse Basin to be drilled and processed at the NWS — and that puts Scott Reef directly in the firing line,” chief executive Paul Gamblin said.

“Scott Reef is a remote, globally significant coral ecosystem that has remained largely untouched. Approving a project that could industrialise its waters is reckless, short-sighted and deeply distressing.”