Context

Facilitation of Biodiversity Action Plan Workshops

Client: Department of Sustainability and Environment

Three workshops were held in May 2004 in the Hurstbridge, Gembrook and Yarra zones. The workshops introduced the Biodiversity Action Planning process, and encouraged the involvement of key local stakeholder organisations in both planning and implementation of the local area plans. These organisations included local government, State agencies, Landcare groups, farming groups, and environment groups and coalitions.

Knox 2008-2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy

The Knox 2008 – 2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy is an award winning planning framework developed in conjunction with the Knox City Council to guide the Council’s ambition of achieving a liveable city with sustainable development within a sustainable environment.

The strategy provides the framework for both Council and the community to move toward sustainability over the next ten years by setting broad goals centred around seven key areas of local, state and national environmental significance which are critical to the achievement of sustainability in Knox and to broader state and national environmental objectives. The seven key themes are: Biodiversity; Waste; Water; Integrated Transport; Climate Change; Sustainable Planning and Community Engagement.

Drawing on extensive community input through workshops, a web survey and dialogue groups the strategy captures the community vision for what a sustainable city and environment should look like, and maps out goals and approaches to successfully achieve this vision. Such extensive public consultation has helped uncover the stepping stones to realistic program delivery.

Montrose Quarry Sustainability Plan

Client: Boral Resources (Vic) Pty Ltd

Context designed and delivered a comprehensive program of community engagement activities for the proposed extension to Boral’s Montrose Quarry. The range of activities offered provided the community and other stakeholders with opportunities to learn about quarry operations (eg. guided tours), obtain information about the proposed extension (eg. community newsletters, community workshops) and contribute to the development of the Environment Effects Statement (eg. Stakeholder Reference Group). The community engagement program encouraged genuine two-way communication between Boral and the community, and has built community understanding of the issues progressively throughout the phases of the environment assessment process. The program was proactively responsive to community requests and considerate of community concerns.

Northern Diversion Sewerage Project

Client: Melbourne Water Corporation

The Northern Diversion Sewerage Project is a 6 year project being undertaken jointly by Melbourne Water and Yarra Valley Water. The aim of the project is to protect the Merri and Moonee Ponds Creeks from wet weather sewerage overflows. It will also help to ensure that Melbourne’s sewerage system is able to cope with projected future growth in the north of the metropolitan area. Consultation with key stakeholders is a key element of this project and Context has been involved from the start. Context developed a community and stakeholder relations strategy and a detailed plan for the investigations phase of the project. Methods of communication include regular bulletins, information sessions and personal contact with the most affected residents. In parallel, Context’s heritage team carried out heritage impact assessments on possible construction sites.

Optical Fibre Project Aboriginal Consultation

Client: Victrack

Context worked with consulting archaeologists TerraCulture to undertake a program of consultation with Aboriginal communities in relation to heritage management during the laying of optic fibre cables along the Traralgon, Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong railway lines. Statutory authorities, native title claimants and traditional owners were involved in all aspects of the project from research design to management recommendations. Our consultation program was described as best practice by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.

Protecting Melbourne's Water Supply: The replacement of the Morang to Preston water main

Client: Melbourne Water

Context provided expertise in community consultation and heritage identification and assessment to Melbourne Water as they started on a major project to replace 10 kilometres of 150-year-old water main. Also known as the Yan Yean pipeline, this water main is Melbourne’s first and its oldest and supplies the city and Northern suburbs.

Residential Planning Code - Community Roadtesting Workshops

Client: Department of Infrastructure

As part of the review of Rescode, a proposed new residential planning code, Context was asked to facilitate a series of community workshops to ‘roadtest’ a proposed model code. Each workshop included a wide range of interests, with the workshops ranging in size from 20-60 people. As well as designing and facilitating four sessions, we distilled the key messages from the community and presented it to our client.

Travel Demand Management Plan: Facilitation

Client: Department of Infrastructure

Context developed and facilitated a series of workshops with the steering group and wider reference group as part of the development of DOI’s Travel Demand Management Action Plan. The workshops sought to develop and test key areas of the methodology underlying the Action Plan.

Tumbukka and Binjirru Regional Plans

Client: ATSIS

Context played a key role in developing plans for the Tumbukka and the Binjirru Regional Councils which, following the abolition of ATSIC (Aboriginal and Torres Straits Island Commission) in 2004, faced new challenges in applying for funding.

Water Resources Development Plan - Communications Consultancy

Client: Barwon Water

Development and conduct of a broad based community information, consultation and involvement program in conjunction with the preparation of a Water Resources Development Plan. Context’s role included community information, surveys, raising community awareness, and consulting the community on key issues.