Indigenous Cultural Heritage and Community Engagement
The Client had been exploring for many years and was in the middle of preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for a mine with a 20-year mine life. Communications with the local indigenous community and surrounding landholders had been patchy and resources within the company were restricted so no personnel could be hired to do the work.
Using the Cultural Heritage and Social Impact Assessment processes to break down communication barriers, Pandanus, spent countless hours in the community, building trust and building friendships.
We also were able to undertake Cultural Heritage surveys, conduct baseline environmental monitoring and build the companies credentials with the regulator and community alike.
Pandanus was engaged to assist the company and quickly set about meeting the locals, identifying community leaders and assisting the consultants with getting the right people to talk to complete the Environmental Impact Statement.
Pandanus travelled many times to the local area and set up a shopfront for the company at the local shopping centre.
Highlights of this project was working with the local land council and traditional owners on beautiful country and addressing their concerns with the EIS design team, as well as a client who genuinely wanted a win-win for the local community. Walking on country, making new friends and sharing knowledge of the coastal environments was an honour and a lasting memory.