Australia’s oil and gas industry is entering a significant phase of infrastructure retirement, bringing with it a complex and growing volume of decommissioning waste. This report explores the capacity, capability, and regulatory landscape for waste disposal in Australia while identifying barriers, opportunities, and actions to improve the safe and sustainable handling of materials over the coming decades.
In response to this growing need, CODA commissioned SKH Circular Economy Solutions to undertake a national study that draws on stakeholder consultation, data analysis, and international benchmarking.
In summary, the study:
- Maps the current Australian waste and recycling infrastructure relevant to decommissioning, culminating in the development of a national Decommissioning Waste Facilities Database with over 2,000 sites.
- Identifies key challenges for operators and waste managers, including limited decontamination options, mismatched facility capabilities, and complex multi-tiered regulation.
- Benchmarks international best practices, including from the mining, nuclear and offshore sectors, to highlight scalable, proven solutions.
- Reviews legislation and liability pathways across jurisdictions, with a focus on clarifying approval processes and responsibilities.
- Proposes opportunities to improve collaboration, communication and consistency across operators, regulators, and the waste supply chain. This includes a shift in focus from ‘waste’ to ‘materials of value’.
The full version of this report, as well as other studies, is available to CODA partners via the CODA Partner Portal.
Access the full report via the Partner Portal
