Business · Companies · 11 hrs ago
Traditional owners seek new terms before Woodside's Browse expansion
Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi representatives want Woodside to replace a 1998 agreement covering its North West Shelf gas project in Western Australia.
The deal concerns the Karratha Gas Plant and land access on the Burrup Peninsula, known traditionally as Murujuga.
Elders and former representatives say the agreement was signed under pressure and included clauses that stopped people speaking publicly or challenging its terms.
The deal paid $500,000 in compensation and released the project’s joint venturers from liability for damage to cultural sites.
NYFL proposed $30 million a year for 10 years, while Woodside offered $20 million in cash over the same period, along with homes and property-management funding.
NYFL has asked the government not to approve Woodside’s Browse Basin expansion while negotiations remain stalled.
The expansion would send gas from off the Kimberley coast to Karratha through a 900-kilometre pipeline, and Woodside says it is working with NYFL to modernise the agreement.
Traditional owners say Woodside’s proposed $50 billion Browse Basin expansion should not proceed until a confidential 1998 agreement is renegotiated.
The Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited (NYFL) says the existing terms are unfit for purpose and has asked the government not to approve the project while talks are stalled.
NYFL proposed $30 million a year, while Woodside offered $20 million in cash over the same period, plus homes and annual property-management funding.
The agreement covered land access for the North West Shelf project and included $500,000 in compensation for loss of possession of land or waters.
Woodside says it recognises that expectations for agreements with Aboriginal communities have changed since 1998 and is working with NYFL to modernise the arrangements.
- Who
- Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi traditional owners, represented by NYFL, and Woodside.
- What
- NYFL is seeking new terms for a 1998 land access agreement before Woodside’s proposed Browse Basin expansion proceeds.
- When
- The agreement was signed in 1998. NYFL proposed a new agreement last November, and Woodside made its counteroffer in May.
- Where
- The Browse Basin off the Kimberley coast and the Karratha Gas Plant in the Pilbara, Western Australia.
- Why
- NYFL says the existing agreement is unfit for purpose and wants updated terms; Woodside says standards for agreements with Aboriginal communities have evolved since 1998.
Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited (NYFL)
Woodside
Agreement terms
Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited (NYFL)
NYFL says the 1998 agreement is unfit for purpose and is seeking new terms.
Woodside
Woodside says it recognises that agreement-making expectations have evolved and is working with NYFL to modernise the arrangements.
Proposed payments
Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited (NYFL)
NYFL proposed $30 million a year, assuming currently approved gas fields deplete within the next 10 years.
Woodside
Woodside offered $20 million in cash for the same period, in addition to the 1998 terms, and proposed transferring 20 homes and providing $400,000 annually to manage them.
Project approval
Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited (NYFL)
NYFL has formally asked the government not to approve Woodside’s Browse bid while negotiations are at an impasse.
Woodside
Woodside is seeking to develop Browse gas and transport it to the Karratha Gas Plant.
The land access agreement for the North West Shelf project was signed.
NYFL tabled a proposed new agreement at a meeting with Woodside executives, seeking $30 million a year.
Woodside countered with an offer of $20 million in cash for the same period, plus homes and annual property-management funding.
ABC Australia published the account of the dispute and NYFL’s call for revised terms.
- Proposed Browse expansion
- $50 billion
- Existing agreement
- Signed in 1998
- NYFL proposal
- $30 million a year
- Woodside cash offer
- $20 million over the same period
- Homes offered
- 20 over 10 years
- Annual property-management funding
- $400,000
What people are saying
formally asked government not to approve Woodside's bid for Browse while talks were at an impasse.
The North West Shelf Project recognises that expectations and standards for agreement making with Aboriginal communities have evolved significantly since 1998 and is working with NYFL to modernise the arrangements.
Ngurra (country) is the main thing for our people: to have our country, not to be destroyed, not to be touched or damaged
We were forced with gag clauses … we couldn't speak up for what we wanted