Australia's biggest gas project will be allowed to continue operating until 2070 after receiving the final tick of approval from the federal government.

Environmental advocates and traditional owners have expressed concern about the 40-year extension of the North West Shelf development in Western Australia's Pilbara region, on the same peninsula as the ancient Murujuga rock art.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt said the government had imposed 48 restrictions on the project to protect the world-heritage-listed carvings, while allowing gas and oil processing to continue.

"The conditions will ensure that this project will be operated in a way that does not cause unacceptable impacts to the Murujuga rock art," he said.

Pressed on the definition of an "unacceptable impact" and wheth

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