Since the Wandoan Coal Project commenced in 2007, Xstrata Coal Queensland (XCQ) has been working with the communities surrounding the Project area, including the towns of Wandoan, Taroom and Miles.

XCQ’s Community Relations Team, with the assistance of consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB), is responsible for the Project’s ongoing liaison and consultation with the community.

To date, several community workshops have been held in the communities of Wandoan, Taroom and Miles to inform the community of issues and impacts relating to the proposed mine and as an opportunity for community members to voice their thoughts and concerns. The workshops provided an opportunity for community members to access information about:
 

• Xstrata Coal and XCQ projects and operations
• project timeframes
• current project status
• technical studies
• negative and beneficial impacts of the project
• related projects such as the rail and power
• the approvals process, and 
• ongoing consultation activities.

More than 650 community members have attended these workshops or provided feedback to the Project team since the community consultation period commenced in July 2007.

Community members have also attended information sessions, displays and a public tour of the project sample pit. Representatives of community organisations and local government have also participated in the project’s community reference group.

This high level of involvement has ensured that community members have had a chance to provide information and comment on the proposed mine plan and infrastructure, environmental studies and cultural heritage. 

This community feedback, along with detailed technical studies, has been incorporated into the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).