Joint venture partners Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU) and Beach Energy have officially launched the Waitsia Gas Project Stage 2 (Waitsia Stage 2) today in a major milestone for Western Australia's Mid West community.
The project will create 200 jobs during construction, delivering exciting opportunities for local businesses, including Indigenous-owned Garla Barna Civil & Mining (GBCM), which has already been awarded the bulk earthworks scope.
Stage 2 will be delivered with MEPAU's existing commitment to working with local Mid West businesses at Waitsia; for example, businesses such as In-situ Construction in Dongara and GCo Australia in Geraldton were hired for much of the Stage 1 expansion at a value of approximately $2 million.
MEPAU and Beach Energy were joined by WA Premier Mark McGowan, Peter Bennett, Clough Chief Executive Officer, and Southern Yamatji Traditional Owners to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony and turn first soil at the site of the Waitsia Gas Plant.
"MEPAU is committed to a long-term partnership with the people and businesses of the Mid West region," said Ken Yamamura, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MEPAU.
"The construction of the Waitsia Gas Project Stage 2 is great news for local jobs, the local economy and for the domestic supply of natural gas to Western Australia," said Matt Kay, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Beach Energy.
APPEA Western Australian Director Claire Wilkinson said this exciting milestone represented another example of the oil and gas industry supporting local communities and driving the state's economy.
"Gas means local jobs, gas means economic prosperity for WA, and gas means lower emissions. This exciting project is another example of how regional Australian communities benefit from the reliable, affordable and sustainable supply of oil and gas."
