Santos GLNG today welcomed the State Government’s approval of its Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) which will see $200 million invested into local communities.
President Santos GLNG Mark Macfarlane said Santos GLNG had worked closely with local communities, local governments and state government agencies to develop the plan which will aim to mitigate impacts of the Project and give back to the community.
“We have had more than 2,000 discussions over three years of developing our project with a wide range of people in the Maranoa, Western Downs, Banana and Gladstone regions to ensure we prioritise our commitments to align with the community’s needs,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“Based on these discussions, we have developed over 130 action plans and initiatives across six key focus areas and will be investing over $200 million in these areas.”
The key areas include: water and the environment; community safety; social infrastructure and roads; local business and skills development; Aboriginal engagement; and community wellbeing and liveability.
Mr Macfarlane said Santos GLNG had been proactive and already implemented a number of initiatives detailed in the SIMP and invested more than $31 million into social infrastructure in the Maranoa and Gladstone regions.
“This funding has contributed to the development of the new Roma Airport, upgrade of hospital facilities and services in both Gladstone and Roma, establishment of a new aero medical evacuation service in the Surat Basin, and housing support and new infrastructure, just to name a few,” Mr Macfarlane said.
Going forward, Santos GLNG will continue to work closely with the community as the SIMP is implemented.
“We are planning to invest significantly in the upgrade and maintenance of state and local roads, build social and affordable housing for the communities of Gladstone and Roma, invest in beneficial uses of treated water from coal seams and in environmental offsets,” Mr Macfarlane said.
[mappress] LNG World News Staff, April 27, 2012; Image: GLNG