Woodside has awarded its biggest construction contract to an Indigenous-led firm ever for civil works on the Pluto Train 1 Modifications project.
Winyama Contracting Group said the supply agreement with Woodside was a major milestone that would result in significant expansion for the Karratha-based company.
Winyama group chairman and Indigenous business manager Arthur Ramirez said partnering Woodside on the Pluto Train 1 Modifications project would help company's vision to increase its footprint in the region.
"This project will allow our team to grow by about another 65 new employees, with the majority being residential employees," said the proud Ngarluma, Yinjibarndi, Nykina, and Nyul-Nyul man.
"The contract will enable us to increase our focus on outcomes for Aboriginal people."
Mr Ramirez said he was proud Woodside had chosen the local Indigenous business he chairs to execute a major portion of one of its biggest current projects, with the $16 billion LNG project off the coast of WA a significant development in the country's energy future.
"It shows they live their values and support local and Indigenous business growth in the region," he said.
Winyama will collaborate with Woodside's primary contractor, Kellogg Brown & Root, on the substantial project, with the contract awarded after a competitive bid process focused on experience, local content, and health, safety, and environmental performance.
The contract will strengthen Winyama's staff numbers and business capabilities, and help it develop new training programs for Indigenous workers.
Woodside's Scarborough Energy Project has awarded over $3.6 billion in contracts to WA businesses, with $115m invested directly into Karratha-based enterprises, $95m of which has gone to businesses involved in the Pluto Train 2 project.
It has spent almost $20m contracting Traditional Owner businesses between 2021-2023.
Woodside Pluto Expansion project manager Paul Baker said the company was pleased to be partnering with Winyama Contracting Group for the delivery of the civil works for the Pluto Train 1 modifications, and supporting the delivery of local business and employment outcomes for the Pilbara.
"By engaging a local Indigenous led and owned contractor, we're securing the delivery of an important service, while contributing to the local economy," he said.
"The contract will also support the growth of Winyama, increasing the company's capacity to deliver services to other industries across the Pilbara."
Winyama is a 100 per cent Karratha-owned and 50 per cent Indigenous-owned civil, construction, mining services and renewable asset hire provider whose name means 'Sea Eagle' in the Ngarluma language.
