BHP Billiton, Mt Arthur Coal (2011), New South Wales





ABORIGINAL GROUP ENGAGEMENT, CAPACITY BUILDING AND PLANNING PROJECT

Building capacity of local Aboriginal group's in the Upper Hunter to maximize the benefits from the mining industry though participatory planning processes.



Outcomes

  • Building on the outcomes of the Mt Arthur Coal Sustainable Communities Project, a further engagement process was conducted by Plan C with the Aboriginal community of Muswellbrook and surrounding areas
  • Determined the short-term priorities to be implemented by the mining industry to support increased collaboration with the Aboriginal community
  • Identified the needs of the local Aboriginal community to build their capacity to participate in local economic and community development
  • Determined the best strategies and methods for ongoing engagement with the Aboriginal community and inclusion in future projects and initiatives
  • Identified Aboriginal investment for priority projects that maximised successful project outcomes and capacity building opportunities

key success factors

A range of culturally appropriate engagement activities were delivered including:

  • Face-to-face interviews
  • Telephone interviews
  • Community barbecues and
  • Workshops.

High levels of engagement and dialogue were achieved to inform the development of recommendations, with over 100 Aboriginal stakeholders, and internal and resource industry stakeholders.