Community Relationships

We value and respect our relationships with the communities in where operate and are focused on ensuring that we remain engaged with our stakeholders to inform and engage them in meaningful ways about our activities.

We recognise that every community has insights, knowledge and experiences that can add value to, or improve the outcomes of, our proposed projects or activities. By tapping into these insights, knowledge and experiences, we can improve our decision-making processes and develop better and sustainable solutions.

And we are committed to meeting all applicable regulatory and legislative requirements and working with regional government groups to fully communicate our approach and principles.

 

Community Consultation

APA at the 2017 AgQuip show

We’re committed to ensuring each stakeholder community is recognised and listened to as appropriate to our ongoing work or specific projects. These communities may be connected by geographic location, special interest, affiliation or identity.

We seek to build open, ongoing relationships with our community stakeholders to facilitate clear channels of communication and feedback.

And we seek two-way exchange of information and regular input and views from the community in regard to any project or business activity that we undertake or propose to undertake.

APA's approach to stakeholder engagement is guided by the following objectives:

  • No surprises: Inform and engage community members and key stakeholders early in the process, and ensure they remain fully informed.
  • Be inclusive: Ensure the community has easy access to clear and concise information about projects, ensuring all communications use language (e.g. non-technical) appropriate for each audience.
  • Be honest and act with integrity: Always use facts and speak the truth. If the answer is not known then the question will be taken on notice, the appropriate parties spoken with and a response provided promptly.
  • Be responsive: Respond to all stakeholder contact in a timely manner and make every effort to resolve issues to the satisfaction of all involved.
  • Be a part of the community: Use projects to contribute to stronger local communities and provide economic and social benefit.

 

When we will consult

We will consult with communities:

  • At the outset of any project having potential community impacts.

  • To help identify any specific concerns in regards to a specific project or our ongoing activities during the project life cycle.

  • In response to expressions of community interest in our activities.

  • When required to by law or in agreement with a government or statutory body.

 

Our Community Consultation Objectives

We’re focused on achieving positive community consultation outcomes to:

  • Build positive relationships with our stakeholders.

  • Ensure affected community stakeholders are fully notified and engaged before starting any activity that may or will impact them or their environs.

  • Provide clear and transparent information to allow communities to engage and respond appropriately to our consultation processes.

  • Ensure full understanding of the impact that we may have on community activity, environs or land.

  • Be regarded as a business of integrity that is respectful of the communities within which it operates, while being fully engaged and accountable for its activity.

 

Community Consultation Process

Where Community Consultation is required, APA relies upon a Community Consultation Policy that is supported by planning and procedural documents. This formal process provides guidance for APA project managers and other APA personnel including our contractors who prepare Community Consultation Plans to identify the appropriate approach and level of consultation relevant to the activity they are to undertake. APA has key positions in each of its relevant business units with functional responsibilities to manage community consultation. APA’s Communications team provide further support to personnel developing consultation plans.

Community Consultation Plans are dynamic action documents that guide APA’s people in undertaking and reporting on community consultations. They set out strategies and activities that need to be taken and aligned to the project timelines.

For APA Projects the Community Consultation Plan will form part of the Project Stakeholder Management Plan.

APA’s Community Consultation Plans identify:

  • Community stakeholders who need to be consulted.

  • Planned approach/es to conducting the consultations.

  • Timeline for consultation.

  • Roles and responsibilities of who will engage with which stakeholders.

  • Key risks in the community consultation process.

  • Sensitive or special interest groups that may require further focus to ensure clear and transparent consultation is delivered.

  • Feedback management and mechanisms to ensure the consultation process is accessible and responsive to stakeholders.