Woodside Energy will invest up to A$65 million over the next five years to support community development in regional Western Australia.
Announcing the commitment, Woodside CEO Meg 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.
The increased funding is in addition to Woodside’s A$50 million contribution under the Resources Community Investment Initiative announced by Premier Mark McGowan in Perth this week, taking Woodside’s newly announced social investment commitment in WA communities to A$115 million over the next five years.
“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.”
Today’s 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.
