Proposed Construction Accommodation Village
As part of the FEED verification process, Bechtel is planning to lodge a development application with the City of Karratha for the possible development of a new temporary Construction Accommodation Village (CAV) facility. The CAV, should it proceed, is proposed to be located near Madigan Road in Gap Ridge, Karratha and will be constructed to accommodate the workforce required for Pluto Train 2. At peak, we expect that up to 2,500 non-local Bechtel and subcontractor employees would be accommodated at the facility to supplement the local workforce. The CAV is anticipated to be in operation for up to five years and will be demobilised when the work is complete. View our information booklet below.
Social Impact Assessment
One of the requirements by the City of Karratha for the proposal is that a Social Impact Assessment and a Social Impact Management Plan will be conducted.
What is a Social Impact Assessment and Social Impact Management Plan?
A social impact assessment (SIA) is a process of identifying and understanding the ways that a development is likely to impact on the community. The social impacts of the proposed CAV will be assessed through a thorough review of the proposal, a review of relevant State and local policies, previous research and feedback from community members and other stakeholders.
This assessment will be performed from mid 2019 and will inform a Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP).
The Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) will expand upon the SIA to ensure that the future development minimises and mitigates negative impacts, while taking advantage of opportunities to increase any positive impacts.
The management strategies outlined will be reviewed and then implemented throughout the development of this new CAV and its short-term operational lifespan.
Why are an SIA and SIMP being conducted?
An SIA and SIMP are tools to help ensure that positive social impacts are enhanced, and negative social impacts are limited.
According to the City of Karratha’s Local Planning Scheme, all Development Applications within the ‘Transient Workforce Accommodation’ Zone must include an SIA and SIMP. The City of Karratha’s Local Planning Policy DP20: Social Impact Assessments (DP20) provides guidance on considering the social impact of new developments.
Who is conducting the SIA and SIMP?
Specialist consultants Creating Communities are conducting the research and engagement to inform and develop the SIA and SIMP. Creating Communities are a community development, community engagement and social research consultancy based in Perth.
Creating Communities has extensive experience in social research and community engagement, with specific experience in SIAs and SIMPs. For more information about Creating Communities see their website at: https://www.creatingcommunities.com.au/
What types of things are assessed in a SIA?
Impact categories outlined in DP20:
- Demographic and Population Change
- Accommodation and Housing
- Accessibility to Community Services and Facilities
- Social Infrastructure
- Cultural Values and Beliefs
- Community Values, Identity and Cohesion
- Health and Wellbeing
- Crime and Public Safety
- Economic Considerations
- Employment and Local Benefits
An additional category suggested by Creating Communities is:
- Health and Wellbeing of CAV workers
Have your say
As part of the SIA process Creating Communities is seeking feedback from the local community to help understand what the impacts of the proposed temporary CAV might be.
There are different feedback opportunities for different stakeholder groups. To register your attendance at one of our events, click on the link below.
Contact us
If you have any queries or would like more information about the proposed development, please contact Bechtel Social Performance Manager, Mellissa Case at [email protected] or call 0417 174 762.
If you have any queries about the community engagement, SIA or SIMP process, please contact Elise O’Sullivan at [email protected] or call Elise or Gemma Bothe on (08) 9284 0910