QGC: Surat Basin Social Impacts Targeted as Part of $150 Million Program (Australia)

A rural community health project and road safety campaign are among the first initiatives in a $150 million plan developed by QGC Pty Limited to manage social impacts associated with the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) Project.

The Social Impact Management Plan, or SIMP, was recently lodged with the Queensland Department of Infrastructure and Planning. It aims to address potential impacts from across the QCLNG Project in areas including health and safety, housing, local employment and training, economic development and social infrastructure.

It is the first time that a social impact management plan, prepared under a new government policy that requires companies to fully demonstrate their social management systems, has been used in Queensland to support approval for a major project.

Among the first initiatives under the plan targeted at the Surat Basin, QGC is working with stakeholders including Queensland Health, to boost rural health services.

Meanwhile, QGC has worked with the Queensland Police Service to produce driving safety brochures and will launch a road safety awareness campaign in early 2011.

These initiatives come after a survey, done in collaboration with QGC, RHealth and the Western Downs Communities Network, to understand the training needs of community organisations in the region. Results from the survey will be used in developing further initiatives under the SIMP.

The roll-out of the initiatives in coming months will follow the launch earlier this month of QGC’s $6 million Sustainable Communities Fund which provides funds to eligible not-for-profit groups and local government organisations for short-term, one-off projects.

“The SIMP is part of QGC’s commitment to managing social impacts and maximising benefits from developing the QCLNG Project,” said QGC Managing Director Catherine Tanna.

“The plan will be implemented through major community investment initiatives including health service upgrades, road safety and housing programs,” Ms Tanna said. “Also, the SIMP is designed to deliver significant benefits to the region through direct social investment, employment and local content opportunities.”

The SIMP funding is in addition to significant tax revenue the QCLNG Project will generate for the State and Federal Governments.

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Source: QGC, February 17, 2011;