Woodside Energy and the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) have entered into a bilateral Indigenous Land Use Agreement and a modern benefits-sharing and relationship agreement relating to lands being investigated for the proposed Woodside Power Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The lands are within part of the Ngarluma people’s native title determined area located in Maitland, about 15 kilometres southwest of Karratha, the site of the Woodside LNG export and domestic gas plant.
Woodside said that the “power opportunity” would pave the way for the long-term supply of solar energy to local industrial customers.
The agreements set out a framework for the delivery of social and economic benefits to NAC and Ngarluma people in connection with the solar power project.
These agreements also outline how Woodside and NAC will work together to develop partnership, including the management of cultural heritage.
Woodside said that early engagement with NAC has ensured the project will be designed to avoid heritage impacts.
The framework is consistent with Woodside’s objectives for the integration of renewable energy into Woodside-operated facilities and achieving positive outcomes for the Indigenous communities.
“Woodside acknowledges the Ngarluma people, the Traditional Owners and native title holders of the land on which the power opportunity would be located and we thank NAC and the Ngarluma people for working together with us to finalise the agreements needed to progress,” said Woodside Chief Executive Meg O’Neill.
