澳大利亚总理Anthony Albanese于8月1日宣布，印度籍、总部位于珀斯的肥料公司Perdaman将领导该国60多年来首个新炼油厂项目的规划[1]。该公司已获得475万澳元的政府贷款用于Project Ceres项目的预可行性研究[1]。分析师估计炼油厂建设成本约150亿澳元[1]。项目预计年产230万吨尿素，将成为全球最大的工厂之一[1]。Perdaman与Woodside签署了2023年的20年购销协议[1]。
然而，该项目在西澳大利亚Murujuga地区引发了关于原住民土地权益的争议[1]。该地点对传统业主具有文化意义，三个神圣遗址已被迁移以腾出项目空间[1]。传统业主Samantha Walker表示："这是一个没有尊重与原住民或国家人民互动或考虑其意见的公司"[1]。此外，Perdaman自2024年中期以来向西澳工党捐款138,930澳元[1]。
Indian-owned fertiliser company Perdaman, based in Perth, will spearhead the development of Australia's first new oil refinery in more than six decades.[1] Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the project on August 1, 2026, with Perdaman receiving a government loan of AUD 4.75 million to fund preliminary feasibility studies.[1] Analysts estimate the refinery construction will cost approximately AUD 15 billion.[1] The facility, part of Project Ceres, is expected to produce 2.3 million tonnes of urea annually, positioning it among the world's largest plants of its kind.[1]
The development has sparked controversy over Indigenous land rights, as the proposed site at Murujuga holds significant cultural value for traditional owners.[1] Three sacred sites have already been relocated to make way for the project. Samantha Walker, a traditional owner, expressed concerns about the company's engagement with Indigenous people, stating: "This is a company that has proceeded without respect, without engaging with or considering the views of Indigenous or the people of the nation."[1] Perdaman has secured a 20-year offtake agreement with Woodside dating from 2023.[1] The company has also made political donations of AUD 138,930 to the Western Australian Labor Party since mid-2024.[1]