What Does a Decommissioning Advisory Consultant Actually Do?

Decommissioning advisory is frequently misunderstood. It is not project management. It is not a contractor service. And it is not something that can be substituted with a general engineering consultant who happens to be available.

An independent decommissioning adviser works on behalf of the asset owner — not the contractor, not the engineer of record, and not the project delivery team. That independence is the point.

What an independent decommissioning adviser provides

End-state definition and options analysis. Before any scope is written, an adviser helps the owner define what the asset needs to become — retained, demolished, remediated, sold, redeveloped or some combination. Each end state creates different obligations, timelines and commercial exposures. Getting this right early shapes everything that follows.

Scope development. A decommissioning scope is not a demolition specification. It covers hazardous materials, structural sequencing, underground services, process residues, environmental obligations, regulatory approvals, interfaces with ongoing operations and handover requirements. An adviser develops scope to a standard that supports credible cost estimation and competitive procurement.

[Procurement strategy](/services/demolition-procurement) and tender management. The adviser helps the owner select the right procurement model, prepare tender documentation, manage market engagement and evaluate bids. This includes assessing methodology, risk allocation, commercial structure and contractor capability — not just price.

Owner-side project controls. During delivery, an independent adviser provides the owner with an objective view of contractor performance, programme, cost and risk. This is distinct from the contractor's own reporting and from the engineer of record's certification role.

Closure and handover. Decommissioning projects are not complete when the last structure comes down. Regulatory acceptance, contamination clearance, documentation, as-built records and formal handover all require active management. An adviser ensures these obligations are tracked and met.

When to engage a decommissioning adviser

The most common mistake owners make is engaging advisory support too late — after the shutdown date is set, the budget is fixed and the procurement is already underway. By that point, the decisions that most affect cost and risk have already been made.

The right time to engage is when the decision to decommission is being considered, not after it has been made. Early advisory input helps owners:

• Understand the full scope and cost of decommissioning before committing to a programme
• Identify hazardous materials, regulatory obligations and long-lead items early
• Develop a procurement strategy that reflects actual site conditions
• Avoid the cost and programme impacts of late scope changes

What independent advisory is not

An independent decommissioning adviser is not a contractor. They do not perform demolition, remove asbestos or remediate contaminated land. Their role is to represent the owner's interests — providing the expertise, objectivity and commercial discipline that owners typically do not have in-house for a complex, once-in-a-generation asset transition.

Professional Projects Group provides independent decommissioning advisory for asset owners across Australia. Our work covers end-state definition, scope development, hazardous materials planning, cost estimation, procurement strategy and owner-side delivery oversight for complex industrial assets — refineries, mines, power stations, chemical plants, steelworks, Defence facilities and major brownfield sites. We work exclusively for asset owners, with no commercial relationships with contractors and no interest in the delivery contracts we help procure.

If you are planning a decommissioning project and want to understand what independent advisory looks like in practice, contact us to discuss your asset.