Australia: APLNG, GLNG and QGC Form Collaborative LNG Industry Forum

The Gladstone based liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies – Australia Pacific LNG, GLNG and QGC – have joined with community representatives to form a collaborative forum to directly involve and engage the community in LNG projects, keep them abreast of industry developments and provide an avenue for constructive feedback.

 Acting independent Chair of the Gladstone Region LNG Community Consultative Committee (RCCC), Ruth Kinslow, said the community wanted stronger collaboration with local industry, especially around the cumulative impacts of the projects.

“This forum fosters open and transparent two-way dialogue between participating LNG companies and the Gladstone community,” Ms Kinslow said.

“It provides an avenue where members can raise concerns or detail opportunities for stronger community collaboration in construction, operational and social performance activities associated with each of the LNG projects.”

Community representatives will have the opportunity to collaborate with LNG companies, providing suggestion and direction as they implement their Social Impact Management Plans (SIMP).

Currently, the committee consists of 8 key community members with scope for a maximum of 12 representatives, as per the Terms of Reference. Australia Pacific LNG, GLNG and QGC are also represented at the meetings.

A diverse range of community groups are represented including; the Department of Education and Training, Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited, Gladstone Regional Council, Local Marine Advisory Committee, Nhulundu Health Service, Gladstone Interagency Group and Volunteer Marine Rescue.

The coal seam gas (CSG) to LNG industry is at the forefront of growth for Queensland; Gladstone is poised to become a central hub of activity.

“There will be so many great opportunities open up in Gladstone because of this industry including job creation, training and skills development, and increased infrastructure,” Ms Kinslow said.

“This forum offers a chance for the community to contribute towards the way we want these to develop.”

“The LNG industry understands the importance of working collaboratively with the Gladstone community to ensure the benefits of the industry flow through to the community and impacts are minimised.”

“That is why they have come together to form this committee to not only provide updates on their individual projects but to work collaboratively to identify the challenges and implement solutions, and explore opportunities where they can add benefit.”

As a result of a Coordinator General condition, early in 2010, QGC established 6 Community Committees (RCCCs), geographically representative of the three major components of the QCLNG Project – gas fields, pipeline and LNG (Gladstone). For the past 15 months, the current Gladstone Region LNG Community Consultative Committee members have committed to representing the Gladstone Region community, providing feedback and advice to QGC through a forum that encouraged transparent information exchange and consultation.

Earlier this year Australia Pacific LNG and GLNG set up a similar joint committee in Roma and it has been successful in keeping the community abreast of industry developments and receiving constructive community input into CSG operations.

The RCCC will meet quarterly with the next meeting scheduled to be held on 12 September.

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Source: QGC, August 31, 2011;