Capturing local stakeholder input to inform the Nullinga Dam and Other Options Preliminary Business Case
Situation Explained
Leisa Prowse Consulting was engaged by Building Queensland to provide Stakeholder Engagement and Management Services for the Nullinga Dam and Other Options Preliminary Business Case (PBC).
The proposed dam, located on the Walsh River in far north Queensland, was first proposed in 1950 and had enjoyed a long public history as a potential water supply option.
When the PBC commenced, Nullinga Dam was intended to:
- create a new bulk water supply for future urban water demand in Cairns
- stimulate irrigated agriculture in the region, as the Mareeba-Dimbulah Water Supply Scheme was fully allocated.
The PBC aimed to identify the water supply problems and opportunities in the region, and potential solutions, and provide a preliminary analysis of the shortlisted options.
Stakeholder engagement was a critical component of the PBC. It explored the complex challenge with stakeholders, and captured information to assess public interest considerations, including potential stakeholder impact and ‘social licence’.
Our Approach
Our team developed a Stakeholder Engagement Plan following an initial engagement planning workshop with Building Queensland, Sunwater and the (then) Department of Energy and Water Supply. The Stakeholder Engagement Plan outlined engagement activities and timeframes over three phases, which related to:
- defining the problem and opportunity
- discussing the options
- discussing the shortlisted option.
A core element of our work involved identifying key stakeholders and inviting them to participate in the project’s Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG).
The engagement activities were documented and reported in the Stakeholder Engagement Report.
Results
- Robust facilitation ensured open discussion was encouraged at each meeting, and individual SRG members, sometimes with competing agendas, worked together.
- Feedback captured during the SRG meetings provided insight into:
– perceptions of water demand
– impacts and benefits of the options to the region.
Leisa Prowse Consulting was also engaged to help Building Queensland prepare the draft Preliminary Business Case for public release.