Social Impacts from the Construction, Operation and Decommissioning of the Golden Beach Gas Project (Project)
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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. Golden Beach Gas Project | 19-1 Golden Beach Gas Project 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 Victoria – 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 Gippsland 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