A new report by an alliance of unions and leading environmental organisations has recommended the establishment of a nation-first decommissioning hub in Western Australia to manage the state's growing number of retired offshore oil and gas assets.
The WA Can’t Wait report, a collaboration between Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Unions WA, Conservation Council WA, Maritime Union of Australia - WA Branch, The Wilderness Society, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union - WA Branch, Electrical Trades Union - WA Branch, argues that a WA decommissioning hub would deliver thousands of secure, skilled jobs, protect marine ecosystems and coastal communities, and bring scrap steel and other materials into local domestic circular supply chains.
Recommendations include:
• A decommissioning hub be built in Western Australia, near current fossil fuel infrastructure and where green recycling facilities can be established
• Oil and gas operators are held financially responsible and a fully industry-funded clean-up be mandated
• Existing laws are strengthened and enforced to ensure a full and timely decommissioning
• The safety of workers and the environment is prioritised
• Investment in ports, recycling facilities and local workforces is increased to support decommissioning and emerging offshore wind and other renewable energy industries.
Geoff Bice, Greenpeace Australia Pacific WA Campaign Lead, pointed out that 89% of Australia’s 5.7 million tonnes of offshore oil and gas infrastructure is in West Australian waters.
“A decommissioning hub is WA-positive, and the industry should foot the bill for their own mess. This isn’t just a clean-up plan, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a world-leading industry.”
Matt Roberts, Conservation Council of Western Australia Executive Director, said,“50% of Australia’s offshore oil and gas infrastructure is due to be decommissioned by 2030 and most of it is in WA. It is critical that companies are held to account to deliver on their environmental responsibilities. There are also huge opportunities for new jobs in decommissioning and metals recycling. These are the jobs of the future that will help us transition to renewable energy."
Will Tracey, Maritime Union of Australia WA Secretary, said, “We welcome this practical, worker and community-focused contribution to solving a national decommissioning bottleneck. This is how we keep high value jobs in WA and secure economic strength for decades to come, building a bridge between the energy past and a just, sustainable future. It’s time for the government to act on what workers and communities are calling for: full removal, local recycling, and a Future Made in Australia that starts in WA.”
