Projects Community Engagement Programme
In 2008 Coal & Allied began an extensive community consultation process to engage with residents and other community members about its intention for growth.
Residents in the Hunter Valley south community received a letter and survey from Coal & Allied, asking them how they would like to participate in a community engagement programme so as to establish a two-way discussion process to consider the issues and priorities of local residents and businesses, as well as those of Coal & Allied.
Since then, the global financial crisis has created a new business environment and brought with it new challenges. We have had to respond accordingly, which has meant realigning our near term growth plans. While our long term aims have not changed, we have revised our short term outlook to ensure that we are positioned to bring growth projects on board when market conditions improve. Meanwhile, the delivery of port and rail infrastructure and recovery in economic growth remain key considerations for the future.
Coal & Allied is committed to keeping communities in the Hunter Valley informed about its plans and activities, and has developed a number of avenues to assist this process.
Community Information Sessions
Coal & Allied will be conducting information sessions in December to provide the community with an update about our operations and activities, including our proposed Warkworth Extension and Carrington West projects. All community members are welcome to attend.
Thursday 10 December
Bulga Community Hall
Corner Putty and Inlet roads,
5.00 to 7.00pm.
Friday 11 December
Maison Dieu Community Hall
Corner Knoddlers Lane and Maison Dieu Road,
9.00 to 11.00am.
Saturday 12 December
Warkworth Community Hall
High Road, Warkworth Village
9.00am to 11.00am
Jerrys Plains Community Hall
Wambo Street, Jerrys Plains,
1.00 to 3.00pm.
Newsletters
In response to feedback from the survey, later in 2009 we will start producing a regular 'Coal & Allied Newsletter - Singleton Edition' with details on company news and activities. A 'Coal & Allied Newsletter - Muswellbrook Edition' will also be produced on a regular basis providing information about Bengalla and the Mount Pleasant Project.
Face to face contact
We plan to consult widely with communities in the Hunter Valley about our plans and activities. To assist, we have established a dedicated local community relations team, and recently we opened our second Coal & Allied shopfront at 127 John Street in Singleton. The first shopfront was established in Muswellbrook at 19 Bridge Street in May 2008. These shopfronts provide direct face-to-face contact and an opportunity to ask questions to Coal & Allied staff.
Dedicated information line
In addition to the shopfronts we have established a free call Community Information Line 1800 727 745.
Ongoing engagement
Coal & Allied also has extensive community engagement programmes in place for each of our operations - Bengalla, Hunter Valley Operations and Mount Thorley Warkworth.
You can also read more about our community development funds - the Coal & Allied Community Development Fund and Aboriginal Development Consultative Committee - which are helping build capacity in the communities in which we operate.
Further information
If you would like more information about Coal & Allied activities, please use the freecall 1800 727 745 Community Information Line, or visit our shopfronts in Singleton at 127 John St and 19 Bridge Street in Muswellbrook.