Kimberly Gas Hub Gets Environmental Nod

The Kimberley gas hub has been given a "strict conditional" go-ahead from Western Australia's environmental watchdog, Adelaide Now has reported.

Woodside Petroleum’s $30 billion Browse LNG project has been dogged with controversy since the Barnett government announced the location in 2008.

The Environment Protection Agency (EPS) has laid down a set of 29 conditions and offsets for the gas hub, following wide consultation with traditional owners, community members, interest groups and scientific experts.

The EPA report is up for public appeal for the next two weeks, the news report said.

WOODSIDE REACTION

Woodside Petroleum welcomed the EPA's recommendation, with chief executive Peter Coleman saying the company would review the strict conditions.

"We are confident that the social and environmental impacts arising from the development and operation of an LNG precinct on the Dampier Peninsula can be minimised and managed effectively," he said.

He reaffirmed that Woodside remained on track to make a final investment decision on Browse LNG project in the first half of 2013.

The Browse project will have the capacity to produce 12 million tonnes of LNG each year.