The Federal Court has upheld the government’s approval of Woodside’s Scarborough gas project, clearing the way for the controversial project to go ahead.
Advocacy group Doctors for the Environment (DEA) launched legal proceedings to overturn national offshore regulator NOPSEMA’s decision to accept Woodside’s environmental plan for its Scarborough gas project.
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DEA argued NOPSEMA acted unlawfully in approving Woodside’s environment plan without fully understanding how the project’s impacts would be managed. DEA also argued NOPSEMA did not properly apply the legal criteria for approvals.
The Federal Court dismissed DEA’s application, clearing the way for the controversial project to proceed.
DEA executive director Dr Kate Wylie said the organisation would review the decision with its lawyers from the Environmental Defenders Office and assess its options.
“DEA’s legal action took place in the broader context of a global climate emergency. This crisis has had profoundly harmful consequences for the health of billions of people around the world, and the impacts are becoming worse,” she said.
“Doctors are responding to emergencies such as heatwaves, floods, bushfires and storms. The toll is not just on physical health—but also on mental health.
“The scientific consensus and the advice of the United Nations is that new fossil fuel projects are incompatible with a safe climate and human health.
“Sadly, governments around Australia continue to approve coal and gas projects against such advice. In these circumstances, the least our governments can do is to ensure such projects are subjected to thorough scrutiny to ensure proposals address climate impacts in a meaningful way.”
It has been estimated the Scarborough Gas Project would result in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) equivalent to 878Mt of CO2. That is equivalent to twice Australia’s annual GHG emissions from all sources in 2024.
Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill acknowledged the decision and highlighted the project’s progress and impact.
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“This outcome reinforces confidence in progressing the Scarborough Energy Project, which is generating thousands of jobs during the construction phase and creating significant supply chain opportunities. The project is expected to contribute more than A$50 billion in direct and indirect taxes to Australia’s economy.
“Scarborough is expected to be one of the lowest carbon intensity sources of LNG delivered into north Asian markets, providing reliable energy to the region while also supporting local energy security through critical domestic gas supply.”
