STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Explore our project experience across Australia and the Pacific.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT & CONSULTATION
Tonga - Review of Tonga’s Rural Water Sector for Future Opportunities
World Bank Group (2024)
The Government of Tonga, with support from the World Bank, is seeking technical assistance to enhance the resilience and sustainability of its rural water sector in response to climate change impacts and to progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6). To initiate a high-level investment plan for the rural water sector in Tonga, the World Bank conducted a technical mission, supported by Eric. Eric provided technical and operational assistance, engaging in extensive consultations with stakeholders to identify collaborative opportunities. Eric consulted with various stakeholders, including the Tongan government, donors, NGOs, and local communities. He visited numerous villages and rural water supply infrastructures, meeting with Town Officers, households, and social groups to gain a comprehensive understanding of the sector's issues, needs, and potential solutions. Key stakeholders involved in the consultations were the Ministry of Health (Public Health), Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Internal Affairs, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, United Nations Development Programme, Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation (MORDI) Tonga, UNICEF, and the Red Cross. Eric collaborated closely with government representatives through face-to-face meetings and consultative technical workshops to evaluate the sector's challenges, requirements, and viable options.
Workshop with key stakeholders from various ministries during the technical mission in Tongatapu, Tonga (2024)
Some of the schoolchildren who participated in the artwork project, which served as a creative medium for community expression and empowerment, Borroloola, Northern Territory (2018)
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Borroloola Water Treatment System Upgrade - An Innovative Approach to Public Participation In Remote Indigenous Communities
Power and Water Corporation (2016-2018)
The Borroloola water supply upgrade project exemplified the critical role of stakeholder engagement in achieving success. The project team recognised the intricate challenges posed by technical, social, geographical, and logistical factors and prioritised meaningful collaboration with stakeholders throughout the delivery process. Effective public participation was facilitated by building authentic relationships within the community and providing balanced, transparent, and accessible information about the water supply challenges and the proposed treatment system upgrades. This approach informed the community and empowered them to understand the project's rationale and actively contribute to decision-making where their input was genuinely valued. The engagement strategies employed were diverse and inclusive. Collaborating with local schoolchildren and artists on an artwork project served as a creative medium for community expression, fostering a sense of ownership and pride. Additionally, communicating in regional languages ensured that all community members could participate meaningfully. Inviting community members to the project's official opening further highlighted the commitment to inclusivity and stakeholder involvement. The project team successfully cultivated strong relationships with community stakeholders despite navigating a sensitive political landscape and geographical constraints. By working closely with community leaders, they tailored messaging to ensure cultural sensitivity, enhancing mutual trust and understanding. These efforts resulted in high levels of community satisfaction, as evidenced by the absence of vandalism or theft. Ultimately, the Borroloola water supply upgrade project stands as a benchmark for future initiatives aiming for sustainable and community-driven outcomes. By prioritising genuine relationships and actively involving stakeholders in every project phase, the team demonstrated that successful engagement could lead to lasting positive impacts and community resilience. Eric was the senior project manager and led the development of the stakeholder engagement strategy as well as the implementation of the activities. His work included stakeholder identification and mapping, stakeholder analysis, a consultation strategy and engagement plan, the development of educational and informational materials to facilitate consultation and engagement activities, the facilitation of consultation and engagement activities, and community engagement.
STAKEHOLDER, REGULATOR & INTER-GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT
Leanyer Sanderson Inlet Works Upgrade
Power and Water Corporation (2017-2018)
The Leanyer Sanderson Waste Stabilisation Ponds (WSP) receive wastewater from around 50,000 people in the northern suburbs of Darwin. The suburban areas adjacent to the facility experienced ongoing nuisance odours. In 2018, Power and Water Corporation upgraded the inlet works at the Leanyer Sanderson Waste Stabilisation Ponds (WSP) to meet environmental requirements and address the odour issues. In response to growing community interest regarding odour issues and the operational integrity of the wastewater treatment facility, a proactive communication strategy was established. This strategy included: 1. Regular Updates: Monthly project factsheet updates provided clear and concise information about the progress and improvements made at the WSP. This transparency helped demystify the project and reassured stakeholders that their concerns were being taken seriously. 2. Social Media Engagement: Leveraging social media platforms allowed for the timely dissemination of information, enabling residents to remain informed and engaged with the project's developments in real-time. This approach reached a wider audience and encouraged community interaction and feedback. 3. Monthly Briefings: Scheduled briefings for stakeholders, including resident groups, local government officials, and regulatory agencies, fostered open dialogue and collaboration. These sessions provided a platform for stakeholders to voice their concerns, ask questions, and receive updates, ensuring that their perspectives were integrated into the project’s decision-making processes. 4. Site Visits: Organising site visits for stakeholders, including the NT EPA, PWC Board directors, the Treasurer and Minister for Essential Services, and the Darwin Lord Mayor, was critical in showcasing the proactive steps taken to address odour issues and enhance the facility’s operations. These visits strengthened relationships and built confidence among stakeholders regarding the commitment to best practices in wastewater management. By prioritising stakeholder engagement, the Leanyer Sanderson WSP project addressed operational challenges and cultivated a sense of community ownership and partnership. This inclusive approach was fundamental in meeting the evolving expectations of residents, ensuring that their voices were heard, and fostering a cooperative environment where project objectives align with community well-being. Eric was the senior project manager for the project and led the development of the stakeholder engagement strategy and the implementation of the activities. His work encompassed stakeholder identification and mapping, stakeholder analysis, consultation strategy and engagement plan, facilitation of meetings and site visits, managing dynamics (addressing conflicts and tensions and ensuring respectful dialogue), gathering diverse perspectives, and fostering collaboration
Engagement with the Treasurer and Minister for Essential Services and the CEO of Power and Water Corporation during a site inspection of Leanyer Sanderson WSP, Darwin (2018)