Australia approves 40-year extension for gas plant

AUSTRALIA yesterday approved a 40-year extension to a major liquified gas plant, brushing off protests from Pacific island neighbours fearful it will inflame climate damage.

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The North West Shelf is a sprawling industrial complex of offshore rigs and processing factories pumping out more than 10 million tonnes of liquified gas and petroleum each year.

Run by resources giant Woodside, it is one of the world’s largest producers of liquified natural gas - and one of Australia’s biggest polluters.

Originally slated to close in five years’ time, Environment Minister Murray Watt yesterday approved an extension to keep it running until 2070.

In a statement, Watt said he approved the extension “subject to strict conditions” designed to limit the impact of emissions.

Neighbouring Pacific islands, already seeing their coastlines eaten away by rising seas, had urged Australia to shut down the plant.