Port Hedland provided an excellent example of industry working collaboratively for community benefits, PHIC Chief Executive Officer Kirsty Danby told the recent Hedland Economic Forum.
Her address, Partnerships in Action; local collaboration for economic growth, highlighted not only the financial benefits of the port, but the extensive programs involving PHIC members.
Some of these programs have been running for several years and are now showing positive outcomes.
As Kirsty told the forum: “PHIC members are supporting a range of environmental and community programs. Sometimes the names of the programs can be unwieldy, but in essence you’ll find us involved in community information and feedback sessions, searching for introduced marine pests in the harbour, protecting our native animals from feral pests, monitoring the health of the harbour and surrounding waterways, and delivering education programs.
“I am particularly pleased with the success of our Community Industry Forum initiative, which we started in 2019. This forum is unlike most community forums that I attend.
“It has been extremely successful in ensuring meaningful two-way information sharing and promoting open, constructive communication between all stakeholders towards a shared vision for Port Hedland.
“The value of the CIF has been to resolve community concerns and build trust between industry, government, and the broader community. In line with this, PHIC publishes reference documents, minutes, and presentations on the PHIC website.
“It achieves stronger community engagement and collaboration to foster positive relationships and build community networks – with the aim of strengthening the social fabric of the community and developing a sense of place for all to engage in.
“The PHIC CIF has changed stakeholder expectations of the way industry interacts with the community, and individuals’ levels of willingness to accept mining operations in their community and promotes the way industry supports current and future employees and contributes to economic and social progress of Port Hedland.”