Work on a controversial fertiliser plant near sacred sites in WA's north is expected to begin by the end of October after federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek decided not to block construction.
Some traditional custodians from the Save Our Songlines group had called on Ms Plibersek to intervene in Perdaman's $4.5 billion fertiliser plant on the Burrup Peninsula near Karratha.
Their section 9 application under the federal government's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act was knocked back on Tuesday by Ms Plibersek.
Ms Plibersek, who visited Karratha last week, said the plant was supported by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC), which she said represented the views of most traditional owners in the area.
Perdaman chair Vikas Rambal said he welcomed the minister's decision.
"It was an informed decision … I am very pleased with the process she followed," he said.
"It gives us the certainty. It gives us, my banks, my financiers who were very nervous, [some reassurance].
"It just stabilised the process that manufacturing can happen in this country."
Mr Rambal said the result showed strength in the state and federal environmental and heritage approval systems.
"On top of it, all the heritage work we did, that's the testimony," he said.
"This section 9 dismissal is a testimony of that check of the state and federal [systems]."
A final investment decision is expected in the next four to eight weeks.
Mr Rambal said all going well, construction of the plant should start by the end of October this year, with the first production expected in late 2025 or early 2026.
The project plans to use natural gas from Woodside's Scarborough gas project to create approximately two million tonnes of urea fertiliser.
Mr Rambal dismissed previous calls from conservation groups for the plant to be relocated to a site that would not have such an impact on the environment and rock art.
"The location is very important for this project because we are competing with the international world," he said.
"To compensate for the capital cost, you need to be close to existing infrastructure, ports, service corridor."
Some traditional owners left 'devastated'
Mardudhunera woman Raelene Cooper was one of the custodians who called on Ms Plibersek to stop the plant over fears it would destroy the world's oldest and largest collection of rock art.
Ms Cooper was emotional when she told the ABC she felt forgotten by the minister's decision.
"I'm really devastated that this decision was made so lightly," she said.
"Mining and industry and government work hand in hand, and it's been proved time and time again. And our voices are never heard."
Mr Rambal said his company had worked extensively with MAC's Circle of Elders in relation to several sacred sites, which will be relocated from Murujuga to make way for the plant.
He said multiple groups, including elders and rangers from MAC, would be heavily involved in the sites' relocation.
"There will be supervision given by the circle of elders," Mr Rambal said.
"All nominated elders will be there."
Ms Cooper sat on MAC's board for nearly a decade before she decided to leave earlier this year over disagreements with its approach to industry developments.
Ms Cooper said she did not feel the corporation represented the entire views of traditional owners in the region.
"They did a 360 on our agreements with our old people and our ancient culture," she said.
"And I don't feel they have a right without the knowledge and informed consent via all the traditional custodians who are members of Murujuga," she said.
