Community Consultation

The information gathered through an inclusive stakeholder engagement process has been incorporated into the design of the proposed mine.  This is reflected in the impact assessment process, including the development of the project outcomes.   

The specific design and mitigation measures to address the issues raised are outlined in the relevant chapters in the Mine Leasing Proposal (MLP) and actions will be included in the Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR).

If the mine is approved this consultation and engagement will continue - listening to community concerns and issues and ensuring these are incorporated into the development of the PEPR. 

Terramin will continue to actively engage with stakeholders, at all stages of the project.

Stakeholder Consultation

It is a legislated requirement that proposed mining projects must engage in an extensive stakeholder consultation process including extensive community input.

The relevant legislation regarding the social environment and the proposed project emanates from the Mining Act 1971 (SA), and the associated determination developed for the Project by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet – Determination for a Mining Proposal for the Bird in Hand Gold Project, and was released in the South Australian Government Gazette on the 5th April 2017.  

There are no specific legislation or standards relevant to social impacts, however, Terramin’s assessment methods are driven by best practice guidelines, which are explained in more detail below.

We also recognise that it is vital to inform, consult, involve and collaborate with the local communities to work towards beneficial outcomes and continually strive to secure our social license to operate. 

Engagement Approach

Terramin aims to build enduring relationships with our neighbours that are built on mutual respect, active partnership and long-term commitment. 

Terramin has considered the approaches that could be considered to engage with stakeholders and will draw on a spectrum, which includes opportunities to; 

Inform

Provide balanced and objective information to assist understanding of issues, alternatives, opportunities and solutions; to those stakeholders who prefer information only. 

Consult

Obtain stakeholder feedback on issues, alternatives, opportunities and solutions, with those stakeholders who want their opinions heard. 

Involve

Engagement with stakeholders who may have a higher level of expertise or insight on an issue and want to provide feedback, alternatives, opportunities and solutions. 

Collaborate

A higher level of engagement, which establishes partnerships with stakeholders to develop alternatives and the identification of preferred solutions. 

Empower

The highest level of community decision making, where decisions of the public are implemented. A key example of this is a ballot. Empowerment is not an outcome of community engagement in this project but is an integral stage of the engagement continuum. 

The Terramin approach has also drawn on and been informed by;

• Department for Energy and Mining Guidelines

• Ministerial determinations

• South Australian government framework: “Better Together”

• South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) Code of Practice for Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Good Practice guides and guidance

Terramin recognises that a key element of the South Australian government approach to community engagement is “Better Together”:

1. we know why we are engaging, and we communicate this clearly

2. we know who to engage

3. we know the background and history

4. we begin early

5. we are genuine

6. we are creative, relevant and engaging.

Community information sessions/public meetings

• Town Hall meeting September 2016

• Community Drop In days May and September 2017

• ‘Listening Post’ community meetings in April 2019

Each of these meetings have been held in the Woodside Institute Hall, a well-known and easily accessible venue. 

All community meetings and WCCC meetings (which include a public gallery) were advertised in the local media, newsletters and email information sent to stakeholders.

Focus Groups

In order to ensure that a broad range of perspectives were fed into the project, and that particular aspects were addressed, Terramin held a range of Focus Groups in August 2017. The focus groups allowed for informal and frank discussion amongst invitees who included planning bodies, commercial interests, strategic thinkers and decision makers.

There have been four focus groups:

• Economic Development

• Traffic

• Woodside Local Business

• Noise and Vibration.

Community Consultative Committees

Terramin has conducted a process, which has moving from a Terramin led engagement process to a community-based approach facilitated by the WCCC and the Independent Chair. The WCCC also allows for other stakeholders like government agencies to present. Typically a Community Consultative Committee can be a forum which receives feedback from, a broad cross section of the community on matters of common interest. 

In March 2017, a steering group was formed with representation from the Inverbrackie Groundwater Focus Group, Woodside Commerce Association, Adelaide Hills Council and Terramin to oversee the appointment of an Interim Chair. The group selected an interim independent chair to facilitate the process to establish the WCCC.

Since August 2017, the WCCC met monthly until June 2019. The information imparted from these meetings informed and shaped the MLP and ensured community input into the proposal.

One on One Contact

Terramin has conducted informal consultation with residents and agricultural landholders within, and in the immediate vicinity of the Mineral Claim (MC). Since December 2013, this has involved regular contact through the period to 2019 whilst participating in Terramin’s regional groundwater quality census. 

All landholders, including viticulturists and major agricultural landholders, receive newsletters and correspondence updating them of Terramin’s progress with the project, and preliminary results of environmental research undertaken to date. Since mid-2016, these newsletters have been distributed to local residents in postcode 5244. 

All immediate landholders have been invited to community meetings and technical workshops and are invited to voice their concerns throughout the presentations.  

Terramin has recorded 697 contacts.

Technical workshops

To promote more detailed consideration of topics important to the community and the Project, Terramin has hosted a number of technical workshops.  The format of the workshops involved technical briefings by subject matter presented by expert advisors, and providing the opportunity for questions and discussions with Terramin staff and advisers.

Meetings with other groups

Terramin has built and maintains a strong relationship with local interest groups, particularly those interested in water and land-use.  Terramin distributes the newsletters to members and welcomes invitations to speak at meetings. All questions of the company and plans associated with the Project have been recorded and answers provided are listed on the company website.

• INVERBRACKIE GROUNDWATER FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS

• INVERBRACKIE CREEK CATCHMENT GROUP

• LOCAL GOVERNMENT (Adelaide Hills; Alexandrina; and Mt Barker)

Consultation with regulators

Proposals for mining projects require extensive consultation with a range of government departments…

• Department of the Premier and Cabinet 

• Department for Energy and Mining (DEM)

• The Department for the Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR)

• The Department for Environment and Water

• (2018) and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

• The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI)

Each of these departments are essential in the approval process of the overall Project and Terramin welcome the input of, and feedback from department personnel.

Local Business

Terramin have engaged with the Woodside Commerce Association providing an initial project overview to members, in August 2014. An update was provided along with Terramin’s community newsletters, to share information on the potential benefits of the project to Woodside and the wider community.

Community perceptions survey

Early in 2016, Terramin engaged with CSIRO to conduct a community perceptions survey to elicit the local community perceptions of Terramin’s proposed underground gold project, at the Bird In Hand site. CSIRO, Terramin and The Innovations Connections Scheme jointly funded the survey. 

The survey has been approved by CSIRO’s Social Science Human Research Ethics Committee (088/16).

Ongoing consultation

Terramin has a continuous process in place to maintain contact with the community, and not withstanding the completion of the above extensive consultation, will continue to engage with the community through…

• Attending community meetings to answer questions

• Be readily available to the media for interviews

• Working with Government Agencies (regulators)

• Answering any direct questions or concerns from members of the community who contact our office.

• Addressing comments posted on our Facebook page

If you wish to receive Newsletter updates please provide your contact details below…

Contact