Murray Watt knocks back objections to Woodside’s North West Shelf extension and clears way for final decision

Environment minister due to decide on controversial plan by end of the month in one of his first major challenges in new portfolio

• Get Guardian Australia environment editor Adam Morton's Clear Air column as an email

The environment minister, Murray Watt, has knocked back two last-minute objections to Woodside's North West Shelf extension, clearing the way for a final decision on the controversial development.

Greenpeace and the Conservation Council of Western Australia were among groups opposing the expansion who were denied reconsideration related to the project, communicated to them via Watt's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on Thursday.

Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton's Clear Air column as a free newsletter