State Government vows Inpex will return its transfer helicopters for its Ichthys Project back to Broome

The State Government has all but quashed concerns oil and gas giant Inpex will not return its transfer helicopters for its offshore LNG interests back to Broome. Inpex shifted its choppers from Broome more than 600km away to the remote Truscott airbase during the height of COVID in April, stating its priority was the health and wellbeing of the region’s vulnerable population. In a statement earlier this year, Inpex stated it planned to move back to the Broome International Airport heliport by last month, which has been the transport base for its Ichthys project workers in the offshore Browse Basin for the past four years. Inpex then said last month it would not relocate back “until the health threat was no longer imminent” and had not yet made a long-term decision, sparking worries it would not return, delivering a severe blow to the local economy. It came despite workers complaining of “woefully inadequate facilities” at Truscott, where they can become stranded for up to 10 hours while waiting for a connecting flight. But in a statement to the Broome Advertiser last week, a spokesperson for the Premier’s office confirmed the State Government had been encouraging Inpex to move its primary base to Broome and expected it would happen soon. “The State Government is working with Inpex to return its helicopter transfer operations to Broome,” they said. “We expect this will occur shortly.” Inpex corporate vice-president Bill Townsend said the company was still assessing the COVID-19 health risk. “The health and safety of our workforce and the community is our highest priority and guides our decision-making,” he said. Shire of Broome president Harold Tracey said it was promising to hear Inpex would likely return in the near future. “It will be fantastic for our economy when they do decide to relocate back,” he said. “I know many who work for Inpex that live in Broome and none of them are liking being up at Truscott and sitting waiting up to 10 hours for a plane. “We will welcome them back with open arms.” Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Peter Taylor said losing Inpex from the BIA heliport had caused an impact on the town.