Western Australians are most concerned about future energy needs, rising living costs and the state of the public health system, according to a survey released today.
Research commissioned by Shell Australia – which polled 1,000 participants from Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney – showed a strong public health system was the number one priority for WA.
Energy use was the second most pressing issue, with 76 per cent of WA residents who took part concerned over the state’s future energy needs.
Just under half surveyed thought natural gas needed to become the preferred energy source of the future, while fewer than one in ten picked oil or coal.
Around 75 per cent of respondents were mainly concerned with rising living costs in the state.
The data also showed WA was the most climate aware state, with 61 per cent of people questioned indicating cutting CO2 emissions was “very important”.
Shell Australia country chair Ann Pickard said she was not surprised with the findings.
“Over the next 30 years, the global energy system needs to undergo a transition as profound as any in its history and Western Australia has a key role to play in this shift,” she said.
“Western Australia is at the heart of the ‘natural gas revolution’. Through unconventional thinking and pioneering technology innovation, we have been able to develop the first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Facility above the Prelude gas field, 200km off the coast of WA.”
The survey showed cost of living concerns was the third top reason keeping WA residents up at night.
