CHAPTER 3 – PUBLIC CONSULTATION GULF ALUMINA LTD – SKARDON RIVER BAUXITE PROJECT Skardon River Bauxite Project Chapter 3 – Public Consultation TABLE OF CONTENTS 3.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................3-1 3.1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.2 Objectives of the Community and Stakeholder Consultation .................................... 3-1 3.1.3 Project Timing ............................................................................................................ 3-1 3.2 Social Context ....................................................................................................3-1 3.2.1 Regional Context ........................................................................................................ 3-2 3.2.2 Local Context .............................................................................................................. 3-2 3.3 Stakeholder Identification ..................................................................................3-5 3.4 Statutory Notifications and Public Consultation ................................................ 3-12 3.4.1 Terms of Reference Notification and Consultation .................................................. 3-12 3.4.2 EIS Process ................................................................................................................ 3-13 3.5 Community and Stakeholder Consultation Activities ......................................... 3-14 3.5.1 Overview of Consultation Approach ........................................................................ 3-14 3.5.2 Historical Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation Activities ............................. 3-15 3.5.3 Stakeholder Consultation during the EIS ................................................................. 3-17 3.5.4 Future Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation Activities ................................. 3-22 3.6 Reporting ......................................................................................................... 3-22 3.7 Monitoring ....................................................................................................... 3-23 3.7.1.1 Issues Identification and Monitoring ....................................................................... 3-23 3.7.1.2 Managing Issues ....................................................................................................... 3-23 3.7.1.3 Issues and Complaints Resolution ............................................................................ 3-23 3.8 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 3-24 Tables Table 3-1 Stakeholders: Affected Persons – Land within and adjoining the Project Area .................................................................................................................................... 3-6 Table 3-2 Stakeholders: Affected Persons - Local Government, Native Title Claimants, and Representative Bodies ......................................................................................... 3-7 Table 3-3 Stakeholders: Interested Persons ............................................................................... 3-7 Table 3-4 Other Stakeholders ..................................................................................................... 3-8 Table 3-5 EIS Consultation ....................................................................................................... 3-17 Figures Figure 3-1 Regional Project Location ........................................................................................... 3-4 Figure 3-2 Native Title Claimants and Cadastre within and Adjacent to the Project Area ....... 3-10 Figure 3-3 Overlapping and Adjacent Tenure ........................................................................... 3-11 Figure 3-4 Issues and Complaints Resolution Process .............................................................. 3-24 Page 3-i Skardon River Bauxite Project Chapter 3 – Public Consultation 3. PUBLIC CONSULTATION 3.1 Overview 3.1.1 Introduction This chapter describes the community and stakeholder consultation undertaken and proposed for the Project to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are aware of the Project and have the opportunity to comment on issues of relevance to them. Prior to and as part of the EIS assessment process, consultation was conducted with potentially affected landholders, native title parties, government agencies and other relevant stakeholders and this will continue into the construction and operational phases. A range of consultation activities have been undertaken throughout the Project design and feasibility studies to date. The consultation programme was developed to ensure that issues and concerns raised by the landholders and stakeholders were considered and prioritised in developing the technical studies and further planning for the Project. The public consultation described in this chapter of the EIS describes consultation undertaken to date, consultation outcomes and proposed future consultation. 3.1.2 Objectives of the Community and Stakeholder Consultation The objectives of the stakeholder consultation program are to: . establish open communication with all stakeholders . identify stakeholder issues and concerns with the Project . respond to stakeholder issues through environmental impact assessment, project planning or communication . provide feedback to stakeholders in relation to their issues and how they have been addressed; and . facilitate stakeholder understanding of the Project. The public consultation plan covers the Project from the EIS and EA approval process, through the construction and operation phases to mine closure and will be reviewed and updated in advance of each major stage of development. 3.1.3 Project Timing Project construction is scheduled to commence in 2016 with operations expected to commence in 2017. The EIS will be prepared and submitted in mid 2015, with approvals and decision making expected towards the end of 2015 / early 2016. 3.2 Social Context Chapter 25 details the social and economic context of the Project area and the wider Cape York region which may be affected by the Project. The Project’s mining leases (MLs) are located in Cook Shire local government area (LGA) with the closest township (and sensitive residential receptors) being located in Mapoon, approximately 10 km south of the southern mining lease boundary. Page 3-1 Skardon River Bauxite Project Chapter 3 – Public Consultation 3.2.1 Regional Context Cook Shire LGA covers 106,000 km2 of the Cape York Peninsula and is characterised by small businesses. The main industries by employee numbers are: agriculture, forestry and fishing industries; accommodation and food services; and public administration and safety. An estimated 40% of the resident population of Cook Shire lives in Cooktown which is the administrative, commercial and service centre for the shire. 3.2.2 Local Context There are a number of Traditional Owner groups, native title parties and indigenous landholders with an interest in the Project. There are often linkages between these groups through historical affiliations and the individuals representing these groups. Native title claims and determinations, and cadastral boundaries are shown in Figure 3-2. Mapoon (refer Figure 3-1) is the closest township to the Project area, and is the closest centre with the potential to be affected both positively and negatively by the Project. The proponent is currently the sole holder of the Environmental Authority (EA) EPML 00967013 for the Project’s three mining leases (MLs) - ML 40082, ML 40069 and ML 6025 (the Project area). These MLs are located on Lot 11 SP204113 and Lot 13 SP204113, although no Project activities will occur on Lot 13 SP204113, which is on the opposite side of the Skardon River. Other proposed off-tenement Project activities will occur within the Skardon River (Port infrastructure, bed levelling in the mouth of the River, barging of bauxite and supply vessels) and not on other designated properties. The mining leases are situated on land held under a Deed of Grant under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 by the Old Mapoon Aboriginal Corporation (OMAC). Prior to 27 May 2013 this land was held under a Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) under the Land Act 1994 by OMAC, and hence the land is sometimes referred to as ‘DOGIT’ land. OMAC is the Trustee for the benefit of Aboriginal people particularly concerned with the land and their ancestors and descendants under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991. The OMAC comprises people from a number of tribal groups including Yupungathi, Taepaddhighi, Warrangku and Tjungundji. OMAC is the Trustee for a large number of land parcels in the region including Lot 11 SP204113 and Lot 13 SP204113. OMAC land parcels are referred to as ‘Mapoon DOGIT land’. Mapoon DOGIT land is the traditional land of a number of tribal groups including the the Warrangku and Tjungundji peoples. The Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council manages lands in the Mapoon township / community. Mapoon community is situated on the traditional lands of the Tjungundji people. Gulf notes that neither the Warrangku nor Tjungundji peoples have brought a native title claim over Gulf’s Project area. The Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers are part of the North Australian Land and Sea Management Alliance Ltd. The Rangers look