Community liaison and consultation is vital to engaging the community on new developments, expansions of existing infrastructure and ongoing operations.  By engaging communities during the project development process, with regular communication and feedback, we are able to deliver and operate our projects while satisfying community concerns about the impact of these projects.

Because many of our development projects are located in areas in or close to land which is owned or connected with indigenous Australians we place a special emphasis on considering and managing the cultural heritage impacts of our actions.

Across our business we are committed to:

• Including consultation with community stakeholders (including government groups, asset owners, local community groups, businesses, residents and local media) as a key aspect of project planning;

• Establishing constructive working relationships and communication channels with key stakeholders and interest groups;

• Considering indigenous Australian cultural heritage issues in our consultation process;

• Providing accessible avenues for capturing community feedback and concerns; and

• Providing regular feedback on the progress of projects to interested communities.

Camden Gas Project

The Camden Gas Project is a joint venture between AGL and Sydney Gas Limited, located 50 km south west of Sydney. It has been producing gas for the Sydney market since 2001.

AGL operates the Project with the local community in mind and we continue to proactively consult with landowners, neighbours, residents, local councils and relevant Government agencies as part of our operations, including new development areas.

In overhauling the Environmental Management System (EMS) for this project we took the opportunity to comprehensively document our community consultation approach, and this approach is expected to be a blueprint for inclusion in future AGL environmental management plans.

A key part of the EMS is the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan, which documents the best practice management and ongoing consultation processes developed by AGL in partnership with the local Aboriginal groups.

An active Community Consultation Committee (CCC) has been in place since 2003. Chaired by an independent chairperson, with local council appointed representatives, local residents, local environment groups and AGL representatives, the CCC meets three times each year (and more frequently if required), providing a forum to oversee the environmental performance of the project.

A dedicated site within the AGL website provides project information including relevant documentation, such as the Environmental Assessment reports. Click here for more details.

AGL regularly distributes project newsletters and other communications to keep all stakeholders informed, and to invite their feedback. All AGL communications, including project signage, clearly display a contact telephone number.

Berwyndale to Wallumbilla Gas Pipeline

This $72 million project will build a 115km underground gas transmission pipeline from Miles (near the site of the Queensland Gas Company’s proposed Condamine Power Station) to the gas hub at Wallumbilla, to take coal seam gas from southeast Queensland to gas markets in southwest and central Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales. As well as assisting in the long term future of the Darling Downs as a major source of energy within Queensland, the construction of the pipeline will provide associated local and regional benefits including employment and business opportunities.

A key criteria of the project was to secure access to the land for easements from multiple landowners across the pipeline route. A Landholder Information Brochure was produced to complement personal conversations and meetings, and includes personal contact numbers for raising enquiries and concerns.

Understanding the importance of a local presence and a familiar face, we’ve based a small dedicated field team at Roma, to provide ready and personal access for landowners and other stakeholders.

We conducted a thorough environmental and cultural heritage assessment, engineering review and land holder liaison along the proposed pipeline corridor, to agree a final route that minimises impact to landholders and sensitive environmental and cultural features. Central to that outcome has been our engagement of the two traditional owners of the land – the Barunggam and Mandandanji people - who we recognise as critical stakeholders in the process, and whose needs and concerns have been paramount.

AGL acknowledges the positive and constructive approach taken by the representatives of both indigenous groups throughout the land access discussions, undertaken primarily via a series of face to face meetings between representatives of the Barunggam and Mandandanji people and AGL.

As well as undertaking extensive consultation throughout the planning phase, representatives from both groups will have a key role in the construction phase, advising AGL to ensure that all cultural heritage management measures are sensitively and properly implemented.

Development of a video-based cultural heritage induction process is currently underway, a mandatory induction that everyone involved in the project will be required to complete prior to working on the site. Construction of the pipeline is expected to commence in September 2008.

‘As the traditional owners of the land through which AGL wants to build this pipeline, I think AGL has been one of the best companies that we’ve had this kind of partnership with. A lot of companies will say they’re going into a partnership, but when it comes to the bottom line, not really … you are a separate entity to them. The way that AGL has approached this has been one of the best I’ve found.’

Lorraine Tomlinson, Mandandanji people.

 

‘The agreement we’ve reached with AGL … it’s up with the top two others I’ve seen.’
Averil Dillon, Barunggam people.

 

Leafs Gully Gas Fired Power Station

AGL originally sought planning approval for a 600MW gas fired generator project at Leafs Gully in New South Wales. During the community consultation process some parts of the community raised objection to the project and AGL subsequently withdrew the planning application to review all potential sites for the project and issues raised during the consultation process.

After extensive review of all potential sites and in consideration of issues raised AGL have now resubmitted a planning application for a gas fired generator half the size of that originally proposed. In announcing the new project application the company reaffirmed it would work closely with the local community during the process to ensure that any concerns they had were appropriately addressed.

Hallett (Stage 1) Wind Farm

Since 2000 AGL has had a significant involvement in and around Hallett South Australia, via the Hallett gas-fired power station (which we owned and operated until June 2007) and the construction of wind farm projects. The first phase of the project – Hallett (Stage 1) – officially opened in June this year, and construction of Hallett Stage 2 is now underway.

As well as the core activities of regular consultation with the landowners and other stakeholders to keep them informed of project progress, providing tangible and ongoing support for the community has been a central part of AGL’s approach.

The Hallett Wind Farm Community Fund was established last year to support volunteer-based organisations operating within the Northern Areas Council. This year AGL donated over $24,000 to a range of community projects, including the refurbishment of the Booborowie District Soldiers Memorial Hall, a power upgrade to the Jamestown showground, a water conditioner for bore water for the Jamestown lawn tennis courts, a new tumble mat for Kindergymnastics, and uniforms for local basketball teams.

At a local event in November 2007, at which the community grants were presented to recipients, AGL confirmed its intention to continue its support for the Hallett community, committing to provide annual funding for local community-based projects and groups for the next 25 years.

Understanding that maintaining a local presence is important, especially during the current construction phase, this year AGL commenced planning for the establishment of an AGL shop front in Burra, the regional centre for the Hallett Wind Farm Projects. The shop, located within an existing building in the main street and staffed by an office administrator, will provide an easy contact point for community members to raise questions or concerns about the wind farm projects, as well as a field office for AGL employees and associated contractors working on the project. The shop front is expected to open in late 2008.

Following the end of construction of the Hallett (Stage 1) Wind Farm, AGL has started to host site visits from schools in the district. These visits help the school children to understand first hand the role that their local wind farm plays in delivering sustainable energy to the people of South Australia.