Fair compensation and community benefit in $10 billion transmission infrastructure program
In this success story we share how Iceni supported the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) to deliver best-practice community engagement outcomes to support their ambitious Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Integrated Systems Plan.
The challenge
The NSW Government's ambitious plan to develop more than $10 billion worth of transmission infrastructure projects through the development of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) across NSW posed significant challenges. They needed support to ensure community support, fair treatment of landowners and effective stakeholder engagement.
With limited internal resources, the Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) sought assistance to develop policies, design strategies, review compensation arrangements and identify and mitigate potential risks to ensure the REZ obtained a social licence. Collaborative efforts among multiple teams within EnergyCo and DPIE also needed improvement to enhance project management and community outcomes.
Our approach
Leveraging our expertise and experience in designing effective stakeholder engagement strategies to secure a social licence, Iceni applied our knowledge of land acquisitions to the development of transmission infrastructure.
We immersed ourselves in the day-to-day operations of the team, identifying emerging risks and gaining a deep understanding of the key priorities driving the REZ stakeholder engagement process. We also took an evidence-based approach to stakeholder engagement which was supported by extensive research, analysis and stakeholder feedback.
By leveraging our extensive network and expertise in infrastructure development, renewables, community and stakeholder engagement, as well as land access and compensation policy, we supported EnergyCo's objectives and provided valuable guidance throughout the process.
Value-adds
Our focus on co-designing practical solutions and implementation frameworks with internal stakeholders led to significant improvements in EnergyCo's engagement capability and collaboration within the organisation.
We provided recommendations for internal and external governance, team compositions, structures and compensation models that were essential for effective project management and positive community outcomes.
By establishing collaborative partnerships among various engagement and communication teams within EnergyCo and DPIE, we facilitated knowledge sharing and improved efficiency.
Our tangible and sensible recommendations, such as team restructuring, were highly appreciated by the client and endorsed for implementation.
Client outcome
The depth of knowledge and specialist expertise we brought to the table was highly valued by EnergyCo. Through our partnership, we successfully navigated challenges and achieved positive outcomes. Our understanding of community and stakeholder issues associated with obtaining a social license for state significant infrastructure projects, combined with our knowledge of effective systems and processes, proved invaluable. The recommendations we offered, including team restructuring, have paved the way for improved project outcomes and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders.