Sustainable Communities Project
BHP Billiton
950
participants
8%
of muswellbrook shire involved
2011
Planning Institute of Australia NSW Public Engagement and Community Planning Award Commendation
#Overview
Social, cultural and community analysis to inform strategic planning in mining towns undergoing significant change.
The Sustainable Communities Project used extensive, leading practice stakeholder and community engagement to determine the cumulative impacts of mining on the local community.
This ‘whole of community’ engagement program explored opportunities to address these impacts via community investments and collaboration. This highly representative engagement involved more than 950 participants or 8% of the Muswellbrook Shire, comprising of community service, economic, health, education and business sectors and the broader community to identify collective opportunities to address and measure impacts. The strong focus on engaging with disadvantaged and marginalised groups helped to identify previously unknown impacts.
#Key Outcomes Achieved
Moved Mt Arthur Coal and the community from traditional forms of engagement along the spectrum towards collaboration and empowerment
Enhanced levels of trust with the community and stakeholders
Strengthened industry engagement by addressing sustainable community investment and development opportunities
Produced a range of studies and plans to inform Mt Arthur Coal's community investment strategy to address cumulative impacts
Project Team
#Related Projects
Tumuruu Solar Farm Community Engagement (Australian Solar Enterprises)
Early engagement to identify community issues and needs
Community Benefits Trust Project Management (McArthur River Mine Community Benefits Trust)
Providing project management services and facilitating community and economic development for the Borroloola region in the NT.
Engaging in the Cauldron (Urban Land Development Authority)
Social, cultural and community analysis to inform strategic planning in mining towns undergoing significant change.
Aboriginal Group Engagement, Capacity Building and Planning (BHP Billiton)
Building on the outcomes of the Mt Arthur Coal Sustainable Communities Project, Plan C undertook an engagement process with the Wonnarua/Wanaruah Language Group and Aboriginal stakeholders in Muswellbrook and surrounding areas.