Woodside Petroleum has denied that the decision to abandon the Broome gas hub had anything to do with the Indigenous and environmental opposition.
Instead, Woodside announced on Friday that the James Price Point gas hub proposal was too expensive, saying it would not look at developing it for several years.
Had the development gone ahead, the company would have given a $1.5 billion compensation package to the Kimberley Land Council -- money which the council says would have changed lives.
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"$1.5 billion would have definitely made some difference," said Kimberley Land Council chief executive officer Nolan Hunter.
Some of the local traditional owners NITV spoke to are in favour of the gas hub and its economic benefits, but didn't want to appear on camera.
Others called for greater community consultation.
"We all go there to fish and camp and stuff like that there so maybe, if it was in a different spot, the Aboriginal community might be more willing for it, " said Nikkita Dean.
Woodside says it will be several years before it looks at developing James Price Point again.
