Environment Effects Statement

Golden Beach Gas Project Chapter 19 Social Impact

GB Energy (VIC) Pty Limited ABN 63 615 553 010 Golden Beach Gas Project

Table of Contents

19. Social impact 19-1

19.1 Overview 19-1 19.2 EES evaluation objective 19-1 19.3 Methodology 19-2 19.4 Existing conditions 19-2

19.4.1 Study area 19-2

19.4.2 State and regional plans and policies 19-3

19.4.3 Local plans and policies 19-4

19.4.4 Local Planning Policy Framework 19-4

19.4.5 Population characteristics 19-4

19.4.6 Community profile 19-5

19.4.7 Community resources 19-5

19.4.8 Community facilities and events 19-6

19.4.9 Marine-based resources 19-7

19.5 Construction impact assessment 19-9 19.5.1 Land occupation 19-9

19.5.2 Amenity 19-10

19.5.3 Socio-economic conditions 19-10 19.6 Operation impact assessment 19-11 19.6.1 Land occupation 19-11

19.6.2 Amenity 19-11

19.6.3 Socio-economic conditions 19-12 19.7 Decommissioning impact assessment 19-12 19.8 Mitigation measures 19-12 19.9 Conclusion 19-14

2 | Chapter 19 Social Impact 19. Social impact

This chapter assesses the social impacts from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Golden Beach Gas Project (Project). The information is based on the impact assessment contained in Technical Report M: Social impacts. The assessment on socio-economic effects for the marine environment is drawn from Technical Report B: Marine environment.

19.1 Overview Infrastructure projects have the potential to generate social impacts if land occupation, land severance, or changes to amenity associated with the project affect social activity. Infrastructure projects may also change the social profile of a community and generate further impacts. The potential social impacts associated with the Project were assessed and it was found that only minor social impacts, both positive and negative, would result from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Project. The creation of direct and indirect jobs in the local region would introduce a number of social benefits and support the local community and industry at a critical time for an area that has experienced a loss of jobs due to the closure of coal-based power plants in the region. The construction of the Project has been assessed to result in minor benefits to the socio-economic profile of Golden Beach by bringing in workers from outside the local area that will then reside within Golden Beach and the surrounding area and provide an economic injection into local businesses. More widely, the economic analysis found that during the peak of the construction period, the Project would provide a total direct and indirect gross output in the Victorian region of $692 million. During construction, minor impacts from altered amenity may be felt at nearby dwellings, such as intermittent construction noise at varying intensity. During operation, the Project has limited potential to produce negative social impacts associated with altered amenity due to the subsea and predominantly underground infrastructure. Potential noise impacts from an emergency situation at night may be experienced at a residence near the gas compressor station. The implementation of a Community and Stakeholder Engagement Management Plan and Property Management Plans would assist in avoiding and managing the minor impacts that would potentially be felt during the construction and operation of the Project. This involves engaging with the community and relevant stakeholders regarding construction and operation activities, consulting with impacted landholders and appropriate scheduling of construction works. The Golden Beach Surf Fishing Competition takes place over the weekend nearest Australia Day and during the Easter long weekend in the area between Seaspray and Loch Sport and the scheduling of construction activities would be cognisant of these important local events.

19.2 EES evaluation objective The scoping requirements for the Project set out the specific environmental matters to be investigated and documented in the Project’s Environment Effects Statement (EES), which informs the scope of the EES technical studies. The evaluation objective for social impact is defined in the Scoping Requirements: · Land use, socioeconomic, roads and transport – Avoid and minimise adverse effects on land use, social fabric of the community, traffic and road infrastructure, local infrastructure and to neighbouring landowners during construction, operation and decommissioning of the Project.

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This chapter addresses social impact related requirements which overlap with the requirements relating to amenity, noise and land use and planning impacts. Economic impacts and benefits which are likely to result from the Project are summarised in this chapter and are covered in greater detail in Chapter 2: Project rationale. Aspects relating to these disciplines are also addressed in relevant EES technical reports (Technical Report F: Noise and vibration, Technical Report J: Land use and planning). Potential changes to traffic conditions and air quality are assessed in the Technical Report I: Traffic and Transport and Technical Report L: Air Quality, although these changes or impacts would be of insufficient magnitude to generate material social impacts.

19.3 Methodology The approach adopted for the social impact assessment involved the following key tasks: · establish a study area · collect a variety of data to support the social impact assessment using a number of primary and secondary sources including statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), supporting technical reports, attendance at community and public information sessions, stakeholder and community engagement generated data and interviews with interest groups · identify and assess the significance of social impacts by considering the sensitivity and magnitude of social effects that are likely to generate impacts to social receptors.

19.4 Existing conditions

19.4.1 Study area The study area for the social impact assessment consists of areas in close proximity to the proposed infrastructure and settlements where construction workers would reside. These areas include the coastal settlements of Golden Beach and Paradise Beach, rural land between Golden Beach and Longford and the settlement of Sale, as shown in Figure 19-1.

19-2 | Chapter 19 Social Impact Figure 19-1: Social impact assessment study area The socio-economic aspects of the marine environment, including commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, offshore energy exploration and production, commercial shipping and Defence activities were considered across the marine impact assessment study area (see Chapter 8: Marine environment), and are described in Section 19.4.9.

19.4.2 State and regional plans and policies A summary of the applicable state and regional strategic plans and policies that informed the impact assessment and outline the existing social conditions and future visions for the state and region is below: • A Fairer – This policy is the highest-level social policy adopted by the Victorian Government. The policy indicates that the Government aims to reduce disadvantage and ensure more Victorians have the opportunity, capability, and support to lead active, fulfilling lives. • Victoria’s Regional Statement (2015) – This policy identifies the diverse aspects of Victoria’s regional economy, including food, fibre, tourism, manufacturing and natural resources. The Statement specifically identifies the region as traditionally deriving its growth from ‘its strengths in natural resources, energy, agriculture and forestry, manufacturing and tourism’. In addition, ‘the region produces around 90 per cent of Victoria’s electricity, 97 per cent of Victoria’s natural gas’. • Gippsland Regional Plan 2015-2020 – This Plan articulates a strategic vision for Gippsland and describes the desired outcomes for the region. The achievement of the vision and the desired outcomes is supported by four strategic themes which include economic prosperity, education and community wellbeing, natural environment stewardship and connectivity. • Planning Policy Framework – The Planning Policy Framework (PPF) seeks to ensure that land use and development in Victoria meet the objectives of planning as set out in the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic). The PPF is general in nature and is often used to guide more specific planning policies within a municipality. A full Review of the PPF is provided in Technical Report J: Land use and planning.

Golden Beach Gas Project | 19-3 Golden Beach Gas Project

19.4.3 Local plans and policies A summary of the applicable local strategic plans and policies that informed the impact assessment and outline the existing social conditions and visions for the future is provided below: • Wellington 2030 – Wellington 2030 sets out the community of Wellington Shire’s vision for the future of their municipality. • Communities Facilities framework (2016) – Through the Wellington Community Facilities Framework (2016), Council aims to ensure that community facilities within the municipality continue to meet the expectations and needs of all current and future residents. • Public Open Space Plan 2014-20204 – The aim of this plan is to distribute and connect a range of sustainable open space that contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community and the liveability of the urban centres within Wellington Shire.

19.4.4 Local Planning Policy Framework The Local Planning Policies of the Wellington Planning Scheme that are most relevant to this Project are: · Clause 21.02 (Key Issues and Influences) identifies the key issues and influences that shaped the strategic directions and planning controls of the municipality. The importance of Wellington’s coastal and riverine environments is identified and their need to be protected from inappropriate development, particularly visible changes. · Clause 22.08 (Ninety Mile Beach Policy) applies to the use, development and subdivision of land along Ninety Mile Beach between the Honeysuckles and Paradise Beach. The policy seeks to provide direction for the most appropriate manner to develop this land whilst also encouraging orderly development that appropriately responds to environmental values and areas that are subject to inundation. · Clause 21.12 (Coastal Areas Strategic Framework) sets out a vision for Golden Beach and Paradise Beach as a residential holiday township, set in coastal bushland, which has an active ‘village centre’, which is the focal point for the community with high quality public spaces and commercial uses for local and visitor needs. Clause 21.12 sets out a number of objectives with the two that are of most relevance to the project being in relation to creating a functional town centre and containing urban development within defined settlement boundaries.

19.4.5 Population characteristics Since 2011, the population within the study area has incrementally increased as shown in Table 19-1. Population projections are not available for Golden Beach and Paradise Beach, however, there are many undeveloped residential allotments in these townships that may provide the potential for a future increase in population.

Table 19-1: Population trends and projections within the study area (Source: ABS Quickstats 2020, VIF 2020)

2011 2016 2031

Golden Beach & 330 444 Paradise Beach

‘Rural Area’ 405 425

Longford 919 1,132

Sale 14,259 14,891 16,402

Wellington 41,440 43,530 47,690

The ‘Rural Area’ of the study area is primarily zoned Farming Zone (FZ) or Public Use Zone (PUZ) and as a result, limits the potential for population growth in the area. Although a population forecast is not available for Longford, its population grew by 4.3% per annum between 2011 and 2016 which is a higher rate than what is evident for Sale and Wellington Shire.

19-4 | Chapter 19 Social Impact 19.4.6 Community profile At the time of the last Census, approximately 29% of dwellings in Golden Beach and Paradise Beach were occupied, suggesting that many existing dwellings are used as holiday homes. The median age of residents within the study area was found to be 61 with 81.2% of households occupied by couples or lone persons. Labour force participation and household incomes were also found to be low with a high proportion of residents reported to require assistance with daily activities, all of which are characteristics consistent with a population comprised of retired and/or semi-retired persons. The proximity of Golden Beach to Sale makes the location a potentially viable option for families or those wishing to live near the coast but relatively close to urban amenities and employment opportunities. A slightly higher proportion of the Golden Beach and Paradise Beach workforce are employed in industries which are potentially sensitive to fluctuations in tourist visitation (such as accommodation and food services) than the comparison areas. The workforce participation in the ‘Rural Area’ within the study area was similar to Sale and Regional Victoria as a whole, with a large proportion of workers being employed in agriculture, forestry or fishing. Overall, the ‘Rural Area’ is comprised largely of working households who find employment in primary industries and/or who enjoy living within a rural landscape in close proximity to a major service centre (Sale). Further information and statistics on the demographics of the study area are available in Technical Report M: Social impacts.

19.4.7 Community resources Land and housing provide shelter, support lifestyle aspirations and commercial enterprise and as a result are key community resources and a substantial asset for owners. The Project traverses 109 separate land holdings which are either owned by a government entity, privately owned or are crown land reserves. The Project traverses part of the Ninety Mile Beach Subdivision which has been deemed unsuitable for development. Wellington Shire owns 35 of the Ninety Mile Beach Subdivision blocks that are directly affected by the Project, having acquired these as part of a voluntary buy back scheme. The remaining blocks in public ownership are owned by Central Gippsland Region Water Corporation (CGRWC). The lots owned by CGRWC are clustered around Shellback Way and are zoned for public use. The plots were purchased by CGRWC to enable construction and maintenance of the Duston Downs ocean outfall pipeline, which was constructed in the early 1990s. All lots within the subdivision which are directly affected by the Project are vacant and are inhibited by poor access and dense vegetation. The Golden Beach coastal settlement is located to the north-east of the Project. The southern part of Golden Beach is sparsely populated and as a result, only four dwellings are located within 500 metres of the Project, as shown in Figure 19-2. The majority of the dwellings in Golden Beach and the commercial centre are located 1.5 kilometres and 3.8 kilometres north of the Project, respectively. One dwelling is located 300 metres south-west of the Project on land that is zoned Rural Conservation Zone (RCZ) (Figure 19-2). This dwelling was constructed prior to the introduction of development prohibitions, resulting in the owners exercising existing use rights in relation to the dwelling.

Golden Beach Gas Project | 19-5 Golden Beach Gas Project

Figure 19-2: Land and dwellings located within proximity of the Project Inland, the Project traverses CGRWC land that is zoned for Public Use and accommodates water treatment assets and commercial farming operations. It also crosses rural land near Longford which supports a variety of uses including beef production, equine activities and forestry.

19.4.8 Community facilities and events The Golden Beach town centre includes a general store, café, community nursery and two real estate agencies. Additional community facilities include the Golden Beach Community Hall, Golden and Paradise Beach Bowls Club, Golden Beach Golf Course, Golden Beach Picnic Area (includes children playground and barbeques), and public toilets. The town centre also provides access via the Golden Beach Picnic Area to Ninety Mile Beach. The Golden Paradise Beach Ratepayers & Residents Association Inc (Ratepayers Association) has established a Golden Beach Community Nursery and a recreational vehicle rest area. They have also developed a ‘Town Centre Plan’ for Golden Beach, which outlines further physical improvement projects for the Golden Beach township. The Coastal Park is another community facility that is frequently utilised by locals and tourists. It is comprised of the Ninety Mile Beach and associated dune system near the Golden Beach coastline. Surf fishing and occasionally boating and swimming occur along sections of the Ninety Mile Beach near Golden Beach. Camping also takes place at campgrounds located within the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park which can accommodate tents, caravans and campervans, as shown in Figure 19-3. Shoreline Drive provides 19 unpowered campsites that are suitable for tents only and is typically occupied from Christmas Day to Australia Day and the Easter weekend. Further facilities utilised by residents within the study area are in the neighbouring township of Sale which incorporates a large commercial centre, and accommodates numerous community facilities and services including schools, childcare, a hospital and other medical services. There are also numerous short-term accommodation facilities within Sale, including hotels, motels and caravan parks.

19-6 | Chapter 19 Social Impact Figure 19-3: Locations of local community facilities

Tourism The Gippsland Lakes (comprising Lake Victoria, Lake King, and Lake Wellington, together with other smaller lakes, marshes and lagoons) are the primary tourist attraction in the region. The communities adjacent to this network of lakes are popular tourist towns for their boating and fishing activities, along with bushwalking, bird watching and other nature-focused activities. Towns including Lakes Entrance, , Loch Sport, Golden Beach and Lake Tyers are especially popular in summer. Marine-based tourism and recreation in is primarily associated with recreational fishing and boating. In 2013-14, the tourism industry contributed an estimated $1.2 billion to the Gippsland economy and employed about 12,400 people, representing 3.7% of the total Gippsland economy (DEDJTR, 2016). Intrastate visitors (i.e., visitors from within Victoria) were the most economically-important sector. Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services contributed the most to direct regional tourism employment in Gippsland (DEDJTR, 2016).

End of Summer Surf Festival The Ratepayers Association holds an annual Golden Beach ‘End of Summer Surf Festival’ each Easter which runs for three consecutive days and includes activities such as a hole in one competition at the Golden Beach Golf Club, an Easter egg hunt, a Saturday market and Golden Beach Surf Fishing Competition. The Golden Beach Surf Fishing Competition takes place over the weekend nearest Australia Day and during the Easter long weekend in the area between Seaspray and Loch Sport. It is estimated that 700-900 people enter this competition every year. Attendance at the End of Summer Surf Festival ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 people and is reported to provide a significant boost to the local economy.

19.4.9 Marine-based resources The marine environment provides many socio-economic benefits to the region including commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, offshore energy exploration and production, commercial shipping and defence activities.

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Commercial fishing Fishing intensity in the Project area is low although several Commonwealth and Victorian commercial fisheries are licensed to operate in the region with Lakes Entrance used as the closest port to the Project area. An outline of the commercial fisheries intersecting with the Project area and the broader marine study area is provided in Table 19-2.

Table 19-2: Commonwealth and Victorian commercial fisheries intersecting with the Project area and broader region

Fishery Target species Within the Within the Project area marine study area

COMMONWEALTH FISHERIES

Eastern Tuna and Albacore tuna Thunnus alulunga), Bigeye tuna T. obesus, û ü Billfish Fishery Yellowfin tuna T. albacares, Broadbill swordfish Xiphias gladius, Striped marlin Tetrapturus audux Southern Bluefin Southern bluefin tuna Thunnus maccoyir û ü Tuna

Small Pelagic Australian sardine Sardinops sagax, Jack mackerel û ü Fishery (eastern Trachurus declivis, Blue mackerel Scomber australasicus, sub-area) Redbait Emmelichthys nitidus

Southern Squid Jig Arrow squid Nototodarus gouldi û ü Fishery

Shark Gillnet and Gummy shark Mustelus antarcticus is the key target ü ü Shark Hook Sector species, with bycatch of Elephant fish Callorhinchus milir, Sawshark Pristiophorus cirratus, P. nudipinnis, and School shark Galeorhinus galeus. Commonwealth Eastern school whiting SilIago flindersi, Flathead û ü Trawl Sector Platycephalus richardsoni and gummy shark Mustelus antarcticus. Scalefish Hook Key species targeted are Gummy shark Mustelus û ü Sector antarcticus, Elephantfish Callorhinchus milir and Draughtboard shark Cephalo-scyllium laticeps.

VICTORIAN FISHERIES

Bass Strait Scallop Commercial scallop Pecten fumatus ü ü Fishery (Victorian zone)

Rock Lobster Southern rock lobster Jasus edwardsii ü ü Fishery (eastern Very small bycatch of species including southern rock cod zone, Lakes Lotella and Pseudophycis spp, hermit crab Paguroidea, Entrance region) Leatherjacket Monacanthi dae spp and octopus Octopus spp.

Abalone Fishery Blacklip abalone Haliotis rubra is the primary target, with û ü (central zone) greenlip abalone H. laevigata taken as a bycatch. Wrasse Fishery Blue-throat wrasse Notolabrus tetricus, Saddled wrasse N. û Unknown (Lakes Entrance fucicola, Orange-spotted wrasse N. parilus. region)

Ocean Access (or Gummy shark Mustelus antarcticus, School shark ü ü Ocean General) Galeorhinus galeus, Australian salmon Arripis trutta, Fishery Snapper Pagrus auratus. Small bycatch of Flathead Platycephali dae spp.

19-8 | Chapter 19 Social Impact Fishery Target species Within the Within the Project area marine study area

Ocean Purse Seine Australian sardine Sardinops sagax, Australian salmon ü ü Fishery Arripis trutta and Sandy sprat Hyperlophus vittatus are the main species. Southern anchovy Engraulis australis caught in some years.

Inshore Trawl Key species are eastern King prawn Penaeus plebejus, û ü Fishery School prawn Metapenaeu s macleayi and Shovelnose lobster/Balmain bug lbacus peronil. Minor bycatch of Sand flathead Platcephalus bassensis, School whiting SilIago bassensis and Gummy shark Mustelus antarcticus.

Recreational fishing As Bass Strait is relatively shallow, its water currents create unpredictable seas, reducing the numbers of recreational boats from venturing long distances into Bass Strait from shore. Recreational fishing and boating are largely confined to the Gippsland Lakes and nearshore coastal waters, though surf fishing does occur along the beaches adjacent to Golden Beach. Small boats are likely to fish around the nearshore reef area, while larger game fishing boats are likely to fish further out to sea and use nearby ports and boat ramps for launching. Recreational fishing along the Gippsland coast typically targets snapper, King George whiting, flathead, bream, sharks, tuna, calamari, and Australian salmon. While there are no boat ramps adjacent to the Project area, stakeholder consultation indicates that recreational fishers often carry small tinnies (aluminium-hulled boats) over the sand dunes in order to access the beach, with the sand dune clearing for the Dutson Downs ocean outfall pipeline at Delray Beach providing one of the more suitable access points. The period of time between Christmas and Australia Day weekend are generally the busiest for recreational fishing, with up to 1,000 extra people in the region during the Golden Beach Surf Fishing Competition. The Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club Inc. and Lakes Entrance Game & Sport Fishing Club Inc. are active recreational fishing clubs in the region. These clubs host regular club competitions, with flathead being a key fishing target.

Commercial shipping The South-east Marine Region (which includes Bass Strait) is one of the busiest shipping regions in Australia. Shipping consists of international and coastal cargo trade, passenger services and cargo and vehicular ferry services across Bass Strait (DoE, 2015). The Project area is located entirely within the Area to be Avoided (ATBA) of Bass Strait. This area is a routing measure that ships in excess of 200 gross tonnes should avoid due to the high concentration of offshore petroleum infrastructure (oil and gas platforms and pipelines) that can provide a navigational hazard. Operators of vessels greater than 200 gross tonnes must apply to National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to enter and be present within the ATBA. High traffic volume shipping areas are located south of the Project area, with little to no shipping activity occurring through the Project area. As such, interactions between the vessels used for the Project and large commercial ships is expected to be minimal.

19.5 Construction impact assessment

19.5.1 Land occupation The social receptors that could potentially be impacted from land occupation during construction of the Project include: · owners of undeveloped blocks of land within the Ninety Mile Beach Subdivision (Subdivision Land Parcels)

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· users of Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park · CGRWC clients · large corporations · small/family businesses.

The Ninety Mile Beach Subdivision that is traversed by the Project was designated as ‘flood prone’ for the purposes of the Wellington Shire Planning Scheme and was rezoned as Rural Conservation in May 2013. This effectively imposed a permanent ban on future development in this area and other areas forming part of the Ninety Mile Beach Subdivision. This area is subject to a Voluntary Transfer Scheme being undertaken by Wellington Shire Council and was the subject of a Victorian Ombudsman investigation in August 2019.

The potential impacts arising from the occupation of land for the Project to the owners of undeveloped Ninety Mile Beach Subdivision blocks; users of Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park; CGRWC clients and large corporations were all found to be negligible. The Project would traverse a number of land holdings, seven of which are owned by farming families and are operated as small businesses. It is considered that the construction process may place an impost on personal time and be the source of some irritation and stress on the landholders resulting in a minor negative impact but this can be effectively managed (MM-SE01, MM-SE02 and MM-SE03).

19.5.2 Amenity The social receptors whose amenity could potentially be impacted during construction of the Project include: · users of undeveloped blocks of land within the Ninety Mile Beach Subdivision · occupants of nearby dwellings · users of nearby campgrounds · Golden Beach residents and visitors · CGRWC clients.

Most of the Project is located away from sensitive receivers and would not impact amenity. There are seven dwellings and two campgrounds that would be located within close proximity of parts of the Project. As a result, intermittent construction noise may be experienced at varying intensity during the temporary construction period. Construction activity would not be directly visible from the nearby dwellings, although signs of construction, such as vehicle movements, may be noticeable on Shoreline Drive and may affect the amenity of one dwelling located near the corner of Ebb Tide Way and Flamingo Drive (MM-SE02). The amenity impacts to sensitive receivers is not anticipated to have a consequent reduction in the total number of visitations to Golden Beach with the amenity of the Golden Beach town centre remaining largely unaffected. The majority of Ninety Mile Beach would also remain unaffected. The buffer distances between residences and the fixed construction sites (gas compressor station, metering facility and shore crossing facility) and the intermittent nature of the pipeline construction, means that construction would only have minor implications for residential amenity. Golden Beach residents and visitors are keen to ensure that construction activities do not negatively impact the End of Summer Festival due to the importance of the festival on the economic sustainability of Golden Beach. Although it cannot be guaranteed that construction would be avoided for the entire duration of the festival, the Project would be considerate to the community where practicable to manage a minor negative impact on Golden Beach residents and visitors with regard to this aspect (MM-SE04).

19.5.3 Socio-economic conditions The social receptors that could experience socio-economic impacts include: · permanent Golden Beach residents and visitors · permanent Sale residents and visitors · the labour force.

The majority of workers for the Project would be sourced from outside the local area as the construction of the Project is highly specialised requiring a workforce with specific skillsets (MM-SE05). Locally for Golden Beach, the

19-10 | Chapter 19 Social Impact presence of the incoming workforce would provide minor benefits to the socio-economic conditions. The peak workforce (direct jobs) required for the onshore section of the Project would be 180 personnel which represents a small (1%) increase in the population of the study area. The workforce would be accommodated in Golden Beach and Sale which would stimulate spending and provide minor economic stimulus in each town. A small amount of temporary employment would also be generated that is available to be accessed by residents of the study area which would result in a minor positive impact. To estimate the economic contribution and economic impact of the Project, Ernst & Young were engaged to conduct an economic analysis to calculate the direct and indirect (wider) effects on the Victorian economy. The economic analysis found that during the peak of the construction period: · total direct and indirect gross output in the Victorian region would be $692 million (goods and services produced and injected into the Victorian economy) · total direct and indirect value add would be $268 million (the value of goods and services produced after deducting the cost of goods and services used) · total direct and indirect jobs supported would be 1,758 (the number of jobs produced by the Project).

Economic impacts on commercial fisheries The only pelagic fisheries that may operate in or immediately around the activity area are the Commonwealth- managed Southern & Eastern Scalefish & Shark Fishery and the Victorian-managed Ocean Access and Ocean Purse Seine fisheries. The temporary nature of the drilling mud plumes, the rapid settling of cuttings and exclusion of fishing activities within the 500-metre petroleum safety zone around the mobile offshore drilling unit means that there will be minimal impacts to these pelagic fisheries from cuttings and muds discharges. Fishing intensity in the Project area itself is low, and economic impacts from construction activities would not be likely. It is important to note that the 500-metre petroleum safety zone will remain around the subsea wellheads during operation of the Project. Management of ballast water in order to reduce the likelihood of invasive marine species being introduced by the Project is outlined in Chapter 8: Marine Environment and this is a key management control with regard to minimising impacts to fisheries.

19.6 Operation impact assessment

19.6.1 Land occupation The social receptors that could potentially be impacted from land occupation during the operation of the Project include: · owners of undeveloped blocks of land within the Ninety Mile Beach Subdivision · users of Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park · CGRWC clients · large corporations · small/family businesses.

The impacts on land occupation from the ongoing operation of the Project are considered to be negligible to all receptors. The affected properties comprise undeveloped blocks within the Ninety Mile Beach Subdivision, land held by a public water authority which is not accessible to the public, and relatively large rural holdings, many of which are held by large corporations. The low sensitivity of landholders for the siting of the above ground infrastructure and the introduction of the easement, is understandable given the profile of land uses and owners.

19.6.2 Amenity The social receptors whose amenity could potentially be impacted during operation of the Project include: · users of undeveloped blocks of land within the Ninety Mile Beach Subdivision · occupants of nearby dwellings · users of nearby campgrounds · Golden Beach residents and visitors

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· CGRWC clients.

The Project has limited potential to produce negative social impacts as a result of the alterations to amenity during the operational phase. The only potential impact is for noise emissions to be experienced during the night in an emergency situation at a single residence that is within close proximity of the gas compressor station. Mitigation measures are proposed for this aspect in Chapter 12: Noise and Vibration. The predicted noise levels in standard operating scenarios are within determined noise limits, and would be unlikely to reduce the liveability of the residence. As a result, there would be negligible impact to minor amenity impacts resulting from the operation of the Project.

19.6.3 Socio-economic conditions During the operation phase of the Project, only minimal employment and/or demand for accommodation within the study area would be required. As a result, impact to the socio-economic conditions during the operation of the Project would be negligible. The study undertaken by Ernst & Young estimated that during operation the Project would generate an average annual direct and indirect value add of $6 million and support an annual average of 41 direct and indirect jobs in Victoria.

19.7 Decommissioning impact assessment With respect to decommissioning, these works would occur 40 years post-construction and over this time period it is possible that the profile of relevant community resources and social receptors will change. However, assuming no major changes to land use patterns and/or population density in locations near the Project, the potential of decommissioning works to generate negative social impacts would likely be minimal, and similar to those associated with construction. That is, social impacts which would arise during decommissioning would be likely be negligible to minor in terms of their significance. Notwithstanding, the likely nature and severity of impacts should be reconsidered prior to commencement of decommissioning works.

19.8 Mitigation measures Table 19-3 outlines the key mitigation measures developed to avoid and minimise the social impacts that could potentially occur during the construction and operation of the Project as highlighted in Sections 19.5 and 19.6. The focus of these mitigation measures is firstly avoiding impacts where possible, and secondly, developing, preparing and implementing project-specific measures to achieve acceptable outcomes for social impact. Refer to Chapter 23: Environmental Management Framework for further mitigation measures regarding noise and vibration, traffic and air quality.

Table 19-3: Mitigation measures

Mitigation Project Phase Mitigation Measure Measure Number

MM-SE01 Construction Community and stakeholder engagement management plan Operation Develop and implement a community and stakeholder engagement Decommissioning management plan to engage potentially impacted stakeholders. The Plan must be developed in accordance with the GB Energy Consultation Plan and must include: · a plan to consult with directly affected landholders to ensure impacts associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning phases are minimised and/or that compensation reflects and takes into account the specific impacts on each landholder · a process to advise potentially affected stakeholders of planned construction activities

19-12 | Chapter 19 Social Impact Mitigation Project Phase Mitigation Measure Measure Number · consultation with Council in relation to the voluntary transfer scheme and land acquisition. Make information regarding programming of construction activity available to potential users of campsites C6 and C7. MM-SE02 Construction Complaints management It is expected a Project Representative would be able to answer or resolve most issues.

The Project will provide a dedicated 24-hour a day, 7 day a week 1800 free call number. The associated response process will be implemented by GB Energy as follows: · Stakeholder, including landowners/occupiers, makes an enquiry, leaves feedback or registers a complaint · Enquiry, feedback or complaint recorded in the project Stakeholder Records Management system · Project investigates and undertakes one of the following:

– Accepts the suggestion/question/complaint – Proposes an alternative to the suggestion or complaint – Reports that the suggestion or complaint requires no further action – Defers action until the relevant information (e.g., outcomes from baseline studies) is known or made available. · Stakeholder is advised of the outcome and the reasons for the outcome and this is recorded.

If an issue cannot be resolved, it will be referred to the Golden Beach Project Manager. In the case when the issue remains unresolved, advice may be sought from the GB Energy executive management (as required). If a dispute cannot be resolved, then a mediator may be used to assist in such resolution.

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Mitigation Project Phase Mitigation Measure Measure Number

MM-SE03 Construction Property Management Plans Develop Property Management Plans in consultation with land-holders and occupiers of affected properties (which are currently used) to work collaboratively to minimise physical impacts during the construction and reinstatement works ('Property Management Plans' are not needed with respect to land parcels within the Ninety Mile Beach subdivision). MM-SE04 Construction Construction scheduling In the development of the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan (MM-SE01), consultation with key stakeholders and event organisers in Golden Beach in relation to scheduling of construction activities to incorporate: · To the extent practicable, on-shore construction in the vicinity of Golden Beach from Christmas to the end of January and during the Golden Beach End of Summer Festival (including one day either side of the festival) is to be considerate of the community, in particular in relation to noise and traffic. · To the extent practicable, restrict or avoid off-shore construction activities during the Golden Beach End of Summer Festival (including one day either side of the festival).

MM-SE05 Construction Local employment and community funding Operation Decommissioning Develop a recruitment plan which seeks to maximise local employment. A Community Benefit Fund will be developed by GB Energy to be managed by a panel of community based representatives. The fund would be established as a mechanism for sharing some of the benefits of the Project with the local community. Detailed arrangements will be agreed in partnership with relevant community stakeholders and will include the objectives of the fund and how the fund will be set up, managed and administered.

19.9 Conclusion During construction, minor impacts from altered amenity may be felt at nearby dwellings, such as intermittent construction noise at varying intensity. Construction activity would not be directly visible from the nearby dwellings, although signs of construction, such as vehicle movements, may be noticeable on Shoreline Drive and may affect the amenity of one dwelling located near the corner of Ebb Tide Way and Flamingo Drive. Temporary amenity impacts during construction are not anticipated to reduce the visits to Golden Beach with the amenity of the Golden Beach town centre remaining relatively unaffected. During operation, the Project has limited potential to produce negative social impacts associated with altered amenity. Potential noise impacts may be experienced in an emergency situation at a residence near the gas compressor station. The implementation of a Community and Stakeholder Engagement Management Plan and Property Management Plans would assist in avoiding and managing the minor impacts that would potentially be felt during the construction and operation of the Project. This involves engaging with the community and relevant stakeholders regarding construction and operation activities, consulting with impacted landholders and appropriate scheduling of construction works. In response to the EES evaluation objective described at the beginning of this chapter, impacts of the Project on the social fabric of the community have been assessed and mitigation measures have been identified to avoid and minimise adverse effects to neighbouring landowners and the community.

19-14 | Chapter 19 Social Impact