Community engagement

Bengalla has a strong presence in the Muswellbrook community and regularly seeks feedback, suggestions and recommendations from the local community to improve its performance and help meet community expectations.

Recent examples of our consultation and involvement in the community include:

• Bengalla Community Consultative Committee meetings
• Bengalla Consultative Committee newsletter
• Bursting With Energy Expo at the Upper Hunter Show
• Newsletters and publications

Consultation with the community is acknowledged by Bengalla as an ongoing partnership which extends to more than financial sponsorship; it comprises regular phone conversations with residents, communication of monitoring results, informal meetings, educational presentations and speeches, site visits by residents and local schools.

The Bengalla Mine Community Consultative Committee was established in 1995, meeting regularly to provide a forum for open discussion between the community, Muswellbrook Council and Bengalla representatives.  The committee discusses issues directly related to the operation of Bengalla and its environmental performance, keeping the community informed on these matters and potential impacts.  A newsletter is published quarterly to inform interested community members on matters discussed during the Bengalla Mine Community Consultative Committee meetings.

Community events and sponsorships

Bengalla has established a Community Support Team to assist the enhancement of the local community and promote the awareness of Bengalla's contribution.  The committee meets every six to eight weeks to discuss funding applications.  Community, school and sporting groups wishing to submit applications for funding are required to send a submission letter outlining their project to the Community Relations and Communications Coordinator on 02 6542 9500.   

Bengalla is also the major sponsor of a number events including: the Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter Show, Upper Hunter Racing Festival, Muswellbrook Open Art Prize, Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

Bengalla Community Open Day

The Community Open Day is held every two years and provides an opportunity for members of the community to see and experience a working coal mining operation, ask questions and be informed about the progression of Bengalla mine and new projects arising.

The most recent Open Day in 2006 over 1700 people attended with 900 participating in a mine tour.