NSW Department of Planning and Environment : Community information sessions for the social impact assessment guidelines

Communities are being encouraged to attend drop-in information sessions across NSW to learn more about the draft Social Impact Assessment guidelines for state significant resource projects currently on public exhibition.

The new guidelines have been created to improve the quality and utility of social impact assessments for major mining, petroleum and extractive projects, which in turn will drive better project design and provide greater certainty to local communities and proponents.

Examples of positive social impacts may include increased employment opportunities and support for local businesses and organisations, whilst examples of negative social impacts may include community dislocation and amenity loss.

A Department of Planning and Environment spokesperson said it was important locals took time to look over the draft guidelines and consider making a submission.

'The session will explain what the proposed guidelines are and what they will mean for any future state significant resource projects in your region,' the spokesperson said.

'These guidelines will enable communities to participate in decisions that affect them from the outset of a project, and to have a say in how positive and negative social impacts are managed. That's why we want to hear from the community now, while the guidelines are still in the draft stage.'

The draft guidelines are on exhibition until 3 March 2017.

The Department consulted widely to better understand the key issues in developing the draft guidelines, including meetings with local groups in eight resource communities across rural, regional and remote NSW.

The draft guidelines have also been informed by consultation with peak community, environment, industry, Aboriginal, and local government groups via the Department's Resources Advisory Forum, as well as advice from the University of Queensland's Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining and impact assessment professionals.

Details for the four meetings are below.

Location: Redbank Function Centre, Mudgee Golf Club, 21 Robertson St, Mudgee

Date: 30 January 2017

Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Location: Carbonnier Singleton, 44 Maitland Road, Singleton

Date: 31 January 2017

Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Location: Smithurst Theatre, 144-152 Conadilly Street, Gunnedah

Date: 6 February 2017

Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Location: Thought Bubble Conference Facility, University of Wollongong Main Campus, Northfields Ave, Wollongong

Date: 8 February 2017

Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Community members wishing to speak at the sessions, please arrive prior to their commencements and register with the Department's facilitators. Registrations will be open from 5pm.

To view the draft guidelines or to make a submission, please visit http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Social-Impact-Assessment.

If media are keen to attend the session please email [e-mail] to register and obtain a copy of event media protocols.