BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY
The Wallarah 2 Coal Project will provide a boost to employment and economic stimulus on the Central Coast, delivering positive outcomes for the whole community. Benefits to the community will include economic stimulation with over 1100 direct and indirect jobs created during construction and over 850 direct and indirect jobs created in the region during operations. The Wallarah 2 Community Foundation will also continue to operate, with an expansion of the program to create more opportunities for vocational training and community support.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Across the life of the mine, Wallarah 2 will drive around $600 million in additional economic output value every year (i.e. direct and indirect business turnover) into the regional economy. In fact, locals will benefit from an increase in household income across the Central Coast of close to $69 million annually, throughout the 28 year life of the mine.
JOB CREATION
The Project will directly employ up to 450 people (in the second year of construction of the mine) and produce a further 600+ flow-on jobs in the Central Coast regional economy across sectors such as: regional production, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, hospitality, building, transport and services. That’s more that 1100 direct and indirect jobs in the regional economy at the peak of construction. During operations the project will directly employ 300 people and generate over 500 flow-on jobs in the Central Coast region. The project will be targeting 70% local recruitment and a 10% indigenous workforce during operations.
CONSULTATION
Wyong Coal is progressing to work through detailed requirements of the Development Consent by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission for the Wallarah 2 Coal project which can be found at the Independent Planning Commission. The approval provides for a variety of ongoing stakeholder consultation activities.
TALK TO US
As part of its ongoing Community Consultation Program, Wyong Coal invites members of the community to contact us to discuss matters which may be of concern to you, and to ask questions about issues which you feel require clarification.
Our team is flexible and happy to meet and discuss your issues any time.
Please contact our office direct on (02) 4352 7500 or alternatively via email at info@wallarah.com.au to arrange a suitable time and place.
Click here to go to our Contact page.
COMMUNITY REFERENCE GROUP
Following on from the previous Community Liaison Committee which operated as a condition of Wyong Coal’s Exploration Licences, a Community Reference Group of volunteers was set up for the 2012-2013 period until the exhibition and assessment process for the EIS. The Community Reference Group included six members of the wider community together with representatives of Wyong Council, NSW Business Chamber Central Coast, and Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council. Click here for Community Reference Group meeting notes.
Prior to project construction, a Community Consultative Committee (CCC) will be established under the direction of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) to provide this formal project consultation function throughout the operation period. Details of this initiative will appear on our website.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
The Wallarah 2 Community Foundation is a funding initiative of the Wallarah 2 Coal Project and highlights our commitment to supporting surrounding communities through the funding of worthwhile projects and initiatives.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTS
The Foundation aims to provide grants to organisations, groups or individuals which assist / benefit the environment and/or community well-being and education outcomes within the Wyong region. Since 2013, grants of up to $3,000 have been made available to non-profit community organisations and groups throughout the Wallarah 2 Community Foundation.
Click to view the success of the 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 grants programs.
APPRENTICESHIPS
The Wallarah 2 Coal Project has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with TAFE NSW Hunter Institute and Central Coast Group Training. The MOUs are part of the ongoing development of the vocational training stream of the Wallarah Community Foundation and have driven the creation of new jobs for community members. With the funding and support of Wallarah 2 Coal Project, Central Coast Group Training have already provided at least 49 apprentices in the electrical, automotive and engineering trades to partnered host businesses within the northern (Wyong area) part of the Central Coast. This initiative also includes two school based apprentices and two full time apprentices each year sourced from the local community. Wallarah 2 Coal Project’s MOU with TAFE NSW Hunter Institute aims to support future mine related vocational training and education from the local region. Hunter TAFE will provide Wallarah 2 and its clients with training in Underground Coal Operations Certificate Courses, Underground Coal Mining Management Diploma, Work, Health and Safety and Environmental Management and Monitoring programs. Hunter TAFE will also provide support for apprenticeship training in electrical and mechanical trades.
From 2013 – 2022 (incl.) $998,925 has been provided to assist local businesses with the costs of employing these apprentices.
GURINGAI TLAC - MUTUAL ADVANCEMENT COVENANT (MAC)
In a move to support the Central Coast Indigenous Community, Wyong Coal entered into an agreement in 2015 with the Guringai Tribal Link Aboriginal Corporation (TLAC) who represent the Traditional Owners of the Central Coast (see media release). The two organisations have worked together to deliver increased education, training and employment opportunities for the wider Indigenous community of the Central Coast.
The five key programs that make up the Mutual Advancement Covenant between Wyong Coal and Guringai TLAC are:
- Apprenticeship Scheme
Three apprenticeships over three years. Apprentices may be full-time or school based.
Click here to view the newsletter article on William Chandler-Van Vliet, the first Indigenous apprentice sponsored by Wallarah 2. - Business Start-up Scheme
Funding to support local Aboriginal persons (or companies owned and operated by local Aboriginal persons) to assist with business start-up expenses. Guringai TLAC has formed the Guringai Green Group as a new business established with the assistance of funding under the MAC Agreement with Wyong Coal. - Mentor Scheme
A mentoring program to train and enable experienced mentors to assist participants in our programs to develop and succeed in business and education. - Guringai Green Team Scheme
To fund training at TAFE or other suitable venues toward the establishment of a Green Team, who will operate as a business in the environmental project and land management space.
Click here for more information on Guringai TLAC Green Group - Indigenous Scholarships
The Wallarah 2 Coal Project has granted Scholarships to four Indigenous university students since 2016, studying a range of disciplines – science, archaeology, psychology and construction management.
Click to view the details of the four university students sponsored by Wallarah 2:
Rachel Kulk – Bachelor of Science
Heath Van Beusekom – Bachelor of Construction Management
Kyle Howie – Archaeology & Aboriginal Studies
Tahlia Robinson – Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
