Woodside Energy has continued its track record of contribution to Western Australian communities, announcing a A$50 million commitment to the Resources Community Investment Initiative (RCII) announced by Premier Mark McGowan, as well as $65 million over the next five years to support community development in regional Western Australia.
CEO Meg O’Neill said Woodside was pleased to join with the WA Government and other industry participants to establish the RCII, which will facilitate investment in infrastructure projects and community and social initiatives across WA.
“For more than three decades we have built strong relationships in WA, underpinned by significant social investment and economic contribution aimed at creating a positive legacy for the communities where we live and work.
“Woodside’s founding commitment of A$50 million to the RCII provides an exciting new opportunity for us to continue this positive contribution to the people of WA.
“While Woodside’s global footprint has grown significantly following our merger with BHP Petroleum, we remain a proudly WA-headquartered company. Woodside’s significant contribution to the RCII demonstrates our ongoing commitment to continue supporting local communities for years to come,” she said.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the strength of WA’s economy placed government and the industry in the best position to set up Western Australia for the long-term.
“I commend the efforts of Woodside as a founding partner of the initiative and acknowledge their leadership in contributing to our State in this capacity.
“I look forward to their continued support and seeing some iconic State projects delivered, which will have lasting benefits for generations,” he said.
Under the terms of the RCII, Woodside will nominate the projects it proposes to direct funding towards, with individual project agreements to be established with agreed project milestones.
Woodside Energy will also invest up to A$65 million over the next five years to support community development in regional Western Australia.
When announcing the commitment, O’Neill said the social contribution would include new opportunities as well as extending current partnerships in the communities of Karratha, Roebourne, Exmouth and Onslow.
“Woodside has a strong history of investment in the communities where we live and work and we are committed to the regions for the long term,” Ms O’Neill said.
“We recognise the role we have to play in supporting regional development in our host communities and helping to improve local capability and capacity.
“As we progress new projects, we look forward to continuing to work with our partners to build vibrant and resilient communities into the future.”
The funding announcement will see Woodside and its joint venture partners continue to support regional development and tackle the issues and opportunities that are important to host communities.
Contributors include Woodside, the Woodside-operated North West Shelf, Pluto LNG, Scarborough, Pluto Train 2, Macedon, Ngujima-Yin and Pyrenees projects.
In 2023, Woodside’s community partnerships will focus on areas of need in the regions, including education, youth, local business and not-for-profit organisations, infrastructure, health and housing support.
Over the past 40 years Woodside and its joint venture partners have helped build critical community infrastructure, such as the Red Earth Arts Precinct, Leisureplex and St John Ambulance Centre in Karratha, and the Exmouth Bike Track.
Woodside has been a long-term supporter of educational opportunities and pathways to employment through the North West Shelf Project’s Karratha and Roebourne Education Initiatives and is focused on community liveability and wellbeing through its partnerships with local government and community organisations.