Communications and Engagement

At Umwelt, we pride ourselves on being leaders in communications, community relations and consultation for sensitive and complex projects and issues. We have a dedicated and experienced team of communications specialists who work across a broad range of clients and projects, throughout the project lifecycle. A significant part of our work is undertaken in resources, urban development, public infrastructure, industrial, natural resource management and other government programs and projects.

Our communications experience and expertise has been built on undertaking large and complex approvals for mining, coastal and infrastructure projects, such as the $900 million Ravensworth Operations Coal Mine project, the Woodlawn Alternate Waste Treatment Facility and estuary and coastal zone management plans for a number of NSW council areas. This has given us a comprehensive understanding of the best ways in which to work with communities for balanced and sustainable outcomes, while managing community risk.

Our strength lies in our ability to work as part of integrated teams or to provide stand-alone specialist services, depending on client and project requirements.

We employ highly experienced people from a wide range of backgrounds, including major corporate organisations and governments. This cross section of people brings a vibrant mix of ideas, skills and experience which can be applied to our clients’ needs and challenges.

Services offered

Stakeholder management

Working directly with government regulatory agencies, organisations and interest groups to achieve sustainable organisational or project outcomes, and project approvals.. This includes stakeholder identification, analysis and strategy.

Community consultation and engagement

Developing and delivering innovative and tailored approaches for meaningful and risk-managed consultation and engagement programs.

Community relations

Managing contacts with interested and affected individuals and whole-of- community relationships during the delivery of major projects and programs.

Social impact assessment

Capturing and analysing the social consequences, benefits, opportunities and perceptions of projects and programs to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable environment.

Facilitation

Facilitating workshops for clients, project teams and consultation programs, to enhance project and program delivery.

Internal team communications

Creating and delivering internal communication programs to maintain and improve team relationships and to support project delivery.
Communications strategies, programs and materials
Developing high-level strategies and detailed action plans for communication programs, with high-quality print and electronic support materials.

Issues management

Anticipating and responding to shifting stakeholder expectations and perceptions likely to have important consequences for projects or clients.

Capacity building and training

Developing and delivering team capacity building and training to enable organisations to manage change and implementation risk. This includes awareness raising, training and systems analysis, preparing organisations, their staff and stakeholders to embrace change.

Principal, Communications

Kath Elliott

Projects

  • Rio Tinto’s Northparkes copper mine Stepchange project – social impact assessment and community consultation
  • Estuary and coastal zone management plans for Shoalhaven, Port Stephens, Tweed and Lake Macquarie – community information and engagement
  • Shoalhaven Coastal Zone Management Plan – community information and engagement
  • Lake Macquarie City Council – “Rack or Ruin” – sea grass rack management program – capacity building and training
  • Pacific National’s $50m Greta Train support facility, – post approval and construction phase – community relations and stakeholder management
  • Xstrata’s $900m Ravensworth Operations Coal Mine Project – community consultation and social impact assessment
  • Orica’s proposed ammonium nitrate plant at Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley – community consultation and social impact assessment
  • Veolia’s Woodlawn Alternative Waste Treatment Facility – social impact assessment