Wheatstone Project : Australia’s Bane or Boon?

Recent project gives hope to millions of unemployed Australian citizens and upcoming immigrants.

Australian citizens, both local and immigrants in Australia, are hopeful that the new Wheatstone Project in Western Australia should help the country’s dwindling economy. The company has announced investing around $29 billion.  This will greatly boost Western Australia’s economy and even the rest of the states in Australia.  In addition, a total of 6500 workers are needed in order for the Wheatstone Project to work efficiently, thus giving more jobs to the unemployed work force in WA. The Wheatstone Liquified natural gas project is located within the Pilbara Coast of Onslow and has already been approved, therefore, it will only be a matter of time before the project officially starts.

Valued at $29 billion, the Wheatstone Project could be the answer to Australia’s slowing economy. $20 billion will be given to the government thru taxes  while $17 billion is to be spent on Australian services and goods.

The Wheatstone Project has indeed bouyed up immigrants who are looking for Western Australian jobs, but there are more benefits for this project than meets the eye. Western Australia will likely benefit from the natural gas that is harvested from the Wheatstone natural gas plant. The State will benefit from at least 15% of the 8.9 million tonnes of LNG which is expected to be produced and harvested from 2016. This is a part of a deal to supply the domestic gas market that would greatly improve reliability and also, decrease the prices. The Wheatstone Project is set to make WA as the worlds second largest supplier of LNG.

James Pearson, WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s chief executive said in a statement that the Wheatstone Project would lead to a major increase in job demand, particulary in engineering jobs in Australia. He pointed out that it is very important to start the project in order for unemployed immigrants in Australia and the local residents to start filling vacancies. But there is also controversy, as WA unions demand more local workers should be prioritized for this project. However, Chevron, the company in charge of the Wheatstone Project remains hopeful with offshore workers. The project is set to start at November.

Onslow, as part of the agreed terms, will receive a $250 million package that will include a new desalination plant and a gas fired power station. Indeed, while it hasn’t been started yet, the Wheatstone Project have already made a positive effect in Western Australia and hopefully, within the whole country itself.