Join us on Friday, 16 August 2024 from 5:00pm at the Mingenew Recreation Centre (Function Room) to learn about our new Community Benefits Sharing Policy and how we are positively advocating for development and collaboration with the resource and energy sector to ensure there are meaningful outcomes for our community.
Energy and Resource Industry – Community Benefits Policy
At the 17 July 2024 Special Council meeting, Council adopted a policy to guide planned, practical and transparent methods for community investment. You can view the Policy at the link below:
https://mingenew.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1.2.17-Resources-and-Energy-Community-Benefit-Policy-NEW-Jul-2024.pdf
What is Community Benefits Sharing?
Community Benefits Sharing involves sharing the rewards of Energy and Resource Industry development with local communities. It aims to sustainably integrate these projects into their local communities by contributing to the community’s future vitality and success.
Generally, these projects are state significant and will allocate funds towards a nominated community benefit program. Funds can be distributed in many ways, including via grants, scholarships, long-term funding partnerships, or via opportunities for co-ownership or investment.
The Shire of Mingenew in recent years has started to feel the impact of the Energy and Resource Industry through growth in Energy transition, mineral sands and other natural product exploration and project proposals.
While each of these proponents may have their own unique methods of consultation and collaboration there has been no identifies or agreed mechanism available for these proponents to discuss Community Benefit Sharing outside of small club or community group grant programs.
Community Benefits Sharing Opportunities Prospectus
We have also developed a Community Benefits Sharing Opportunities Prospectus that showcases type of support our community invites. You can view the Prospectus at the link below:
https://mingenew.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MNG-86cw28t53-2024-Community-Prospectus_OUTPUT_Electronic.pdf
Community Benefits Advisory Committee
To manage any funds received for the Community Benefit Fund, the Shire will be establishing a Committee to consider and distribute funds. The Committee will not have delegated authority to make decisions but will make recommendations to Council to:
- Govern the expenditure of funds allocated to the Shire of Mingenew Community Benefit Fund (CBF).
- Assist in managing the impacts of development on the community.
- Use funds received from developer agreements under SEPP3.6 Infrastructure Contributions or common law voluntary contributions to diversify and grow the economy; improve wellbeing, liveability and education/training and employment opportunities; and support environment, social and governance (ESG), and sustainable communities’ principles.
- Serve as a practical instrument to support realisation of the broader goals of the Strategic Community Plan; and
- Provide long-term financial assistance for projects that benefit the residents of the Shire of Mingenew.
The Shire will be calling for Expressions of Interest for 3 x community-representative positions – watch this space for more info.