Widespread protests have followed a plan by the oil and gas giant to build a liquefied natural gas plant in the state’s northwest because it would require moving 165 historic indigenous rock carvings to make way for the development.
But ABC News today reported that WA Minister for Indigenous Affairs Michelle Roberts has permitted land clearance at the site.
She told State Parliament that Woodside would have to abide by stringent conditions to protect the highly significant Aboriginal rock art and provide a comprehensive cultural management plan.
But Roberts said the project is too significant to be abandoned.
“The importance of the Woodside project goes beyond its importance to the state of Western Australia, it extends to the national economy,” ABC quoted her as saying.
“This decision is important to the state of Western Australia and in today’s dollar terms will generate $17.5 billion to the national economy.”
ABC reported that 25 sites would remain untouched, including one featuring the Tasmanian tiger.
In December, Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell rejected an emergency application to heritage list the site, saying it could obstruct the development of the Australian gas industry.
The Pluto project is estimated to cost between $6 billion and $10 billion and is scheduled to begin supplying LNG to customers Kansai Electric and Tokyo Gas by the end of 2010.
