Working With Communities
Stakeholder engagement
To assist in the ongoing management of our engagement activities, all sites are required to have community relations plans that include a community consultation and engagement strategy and program. These programs comprise a range of engagement activities, from regular meetings of community consultative committees and special interest groups to one-off site visits and open public meetings. Community engagement activities are required to be inclusive of minorities and marginalised groups.
The range of topics discussed during these stakeholder consultation processes covers areas of sustainable development including health, safety, environment, employment and training, and community issues.
During the reporting period, 35 operations undertook general stakeholder perception surveys to better understand their performance from their stakeholders' perspective, and 26 operations undertook employee satisfaction surveys.
During FY2009, our sites received 377 complaints. The single largest type of community complaint was noise-related, with 165 or (44 per cent) of the total number of complaints registered being on this issue.
Community engagement
Regular, open and honest dialogue is the key to building win-win relationships. Our community relations professionals are charged with developing and nurturing relationships with people impacted by, and interested in, our operations so we can understand and help address their concerns and work alongside them to help them achieve their aspirations.
As part of their community relations plans, businesses implement a formal engagement program to ensure regular and ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders.
Types and frequency of activities vary and range from monthly meetings of community consultative committees and special interest groups, to one-off site visits and open public meetings. The range of topics discussed during these stakeholder consultations include town amenity and housing, cultural preservation and heritage, impacts of growth and expansion projects, contractor management, security and crime, Indigenous issues and social development.
We require all our sites to record and track the management of community concerns. During the reporting period, our sites received 377 complaints.
During FY2009 we established a new requirement that all businesses are to have dispute resolution processes to enable individuals or groups impacted by the Group's activities to openly raise concerns and to facilitate resolution of any grievances.
Local communities and customary rights
At a very early stage in a project, before any substantive work is carried out on the ground, we seek to identify any land owners, occupiers and users that may be affected by the project's activities.
Where land may be used for customary purposes and there may be no formal titles issued, this information will be sought from relevant government authorities with responsibilities for customary land uses and any Indigenous peoples representative organisations, such as land and tribal councils. Further enquiries may also be made directly with the people in the area.
Once a project moves beyond the exploration stage, specific surveys may be commissioned to identify the customary owners and how the land is being used. Depending on circumstances, this may occur at the exploration stage.
Knowing who owns and uses the land is critical to an effective community consultation and engagement program. It helps to ensure that affected people are fully aware of the project and that they have an opportunity to express their concerns and aspirations. Arising from this engagement, the work plan may be amended to minimise potential impacts on land owners and users.
There were no significant incidents involving cultural heritage sites during the reporting period.
Land compensation
Our approach to land compensation is undertaken on a case-by-case basis.
Consideration is first given to what land we need; our possible impacts on that land, both short-term and long-term; the present and past use of the land; and the effects that our use may have on existing land owners and occupiers. Land owners and occupiers generally include peoples with recognised legal interests in land as well as those that do not have formal title.
For example, Indigenous peoples may not have a recognised legal interest, but nonetheless may be connected to the land by tradition and custom as well as by using the land for traditional purposes. These peoples may also be leading a traditional lifestyle and be dependent, to a greater or lesser extent, on the land for their existence.
Our approach also aims to take into account relevant legislative requirements, industry practices, standards or norms that may exist within a country or region and any special circumstances that may apply.
In some countries and regions, legislation prescribes who is to be paid land compensation, the amount, what it is for and how it is to be calculated. In other places, compensation may be by negotiation with the affected parties; for example, in Australia, where Native Title rights and interests may be impacted by a resource project. In this example, legislation also provides mediation and arbitration processes to achieve an outcome if it is required by any party.
Consideration is finally given to the views of land owners and occupiers as to the form that compensation may take; for example, whether cash, in-kind or a mix of both.
Our preference is to have a substantial portion of any compensation payments dedicated to sustainable socio-economic projects or programs that will leave tangible and long-term benefits for the community or peoples receiving the compensation.
We endeavour to ensure that benefits are provided to as many people as possible who may be entitled to them. Where substantial sums of money are involved, we work to put in place appropriate governance structures so that these monies are managed in a responsible, transparent and accountable manner.
