Join us at Environment Matters – Rigs, Reefs, Recycling: Turning a looming liability into a strategic advantage
Join us at the UWA Oceans Institute to discuss the future of WA’s ageing offshore oil and gas infrastructure
  Join the Conservation Council of WA for our third Environment Matters event of 2025, Rigs, Reefs, Recycling: Turning a looming liability into a strategic advantage on Thursday August 21st at the UWA Oceans Institute Auditorium in Crawley.As Western Australia’s offshore oil and gas infrastructure nears the end of its operational life, important decisions must be made about what to do with ageing platforms, pipelines, and seabed structures. Across Australia there is 5.7 million tonnes of material in offshore oil and gas infrastructure – 89% of this is off the coast of WA. This free Environment Matters forum will bring together researchers, environmental advocates, industry representatives, and regulators to explore the implications of offshore decommissioning, the risks and opportunities. The Big Questions Offshore oil and gas operators have a history of avoiding decommissioning requirements by offloading ageing projects to smaller operators, or making applications to leave behind infrastructure as artificial reefs. The WA Government and community are faced with some big questions about how to address the risks and opportunities. How do we hold companies accountable for the financial and environmental liabilities? Can some structures be safely repurposed as artificial reefs? How do we ensure local communities, workers, and ecosystems benefit from the transition? What are the opportunities for establishing a decommissioning industry? What do we do with the waste? Without strong regulation and strategic investment, Australia risks marine pollution, public liability, and lost economic opportunity. But with bold leadership, WA can turn this challenge into a generational opportunity, creating jobs, supporting green steel and circular economy industries, and laying the foundation for offshore renewables. This forum will unpack these issues and ask: How can WA turn a looming risk into a lasting legacy? What’s in storeOn Thursday August 21st from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, we’ll gather at the the UWA Oceans Institute Auditorium for an insightful evening with an expert line-up of guest speakers. The detailsWHEN: Thursday 21 August 2025TIME: 6:00pm – 8:00pm (doors open at 5:30pm for networking and refreshments)WHERE: UWA Oceans Institute Auditorium, 64 Fairway, CrawleyWHY: Western Australia is facing one of the biggest industrial clean-ups in its history. With ageing oil and gas platforms nearing the end of their life, we must decide: dismantle them, turn them into artificial reefs, or recycle them locally to power a clean energy future. This forum dives into the risks, opportunities, and choices that will shape our oceans, communities, and economy for decades to come.Expect sharp analysis, straight answers, and an energising discussion on the critical decisions ahead of us and how you can help chart our path forward. I’ll be there! Your commitment to environmental conservation makes a difference, and we hope you can join us for this critical event. Please feel free to share this invitation. This is a free, in-person event, and light refreshments will be provided. RSVP now as spots are limited. We hope to see you there!  One of CCWA’s alliance partners, WA Better by Nature, is putting on a symposium on private land conservation in Western Australia this September! Over two days, Building Private Land Conservation in WA, will bring together experts, leaders and community organisations from across Australia who work and care about better conservation outcomes for WA. There’ll be speakers representing a wide range of interests for nature including conservation organisations, natural resource managers, landholders, government departments, parliament and conservancies. Don’t miss out on this chance to engage with insightful keynotes, case studies, panel discussions and networking opportunities as we explore the future of private land conservation in WA.Interim program out now on the WA Better by Nature website! Date: Wednesday 17 & Thursday 18 September 2025 Location:WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle/Walyalup General Admission $176Get tickets here! Help support CCWA’s vital work!CCWA proudly hosts the Environment Matters series to bring our community together in support of a healthier environment and a safer climate. These events spark meaningful conversations and drive the change we need, but we can’t do it without your help.Please consider donating today to support the continued success of Environment Matters and secure the future of our environmental work. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected community dedicated to environmental stewardship. Let’s shape a brighter future together. DONATE NOW Thank you for your unwavering commitment to conservation and climate action. By supporting CCWA, you are an essential part of the transformative change we strive wholeheartedly to achieve.We hope to see you soon!Best regards, Sara and the team at Conservation Council of WAWe respectfully acknowledge the Whadjuk People of Noongar Boodjar, along with the Traditional Owners of all Countries where CCWA operates. We seek to always walk alongside our Aboriginal partners, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. |