Communication and Engagement Plan - Central Desert …

1 Communication and Engagement plan plan and install the potable component of a dual reticulation system for Yuelamu community Background Since 2005, Yuelamu water has been sourced from a combination of water from the Yuelamu dam adjacent to the community and bore water. The groundwater water quality from the two bores in Yuelamu is non-potable as it exceeds a number of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines parameters for health (including uranium, nitrate and fluoride). Most of these parameters require consumption over a long period of time to have a negative impact on health; however of more immediate concern is the risk of bottle fed infants (or babies under 3 months old).

2 Consuming this water due to the levels of nitrate. Based on hydrogeological information it is estimated that the aquifer source has sustainable capacity to meet the entire community demand in the short to medium term. The dam provided an additional water source to support sustainability beyond this timeframe. The dam has run dry or been otherwise unavailable on a number of occasions requiring cask water for drinking to be trucked into the community at significant cost. In 2013, an Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) Plant (consisting of electrodialysis reversal followed by chlorination) commenced operation at the site to treat bore water to provide potable water to the community in these circumstances.

3 The AWT is unable to treat sufficient quantity of bore water to provide the entire community water needs. In November 2015, a blue green algal bloom was identified in the dam, making the water unsuitable for drinking. PWC Remote Operations reconfigured the supply to provide potable drinking water to the community via a single tap at the water treatment plant site using water from the bores at the community , and treated using the AWT to potable quality. Reticulation has continued to be supplied directly to all serviced lots in the community with non-potable water from the bores for all other uses.

4 Blue green algal blooms are extremely hard to treat. An independent review of the bloom in April 2016. advised that the algae is unlikely to dissipate sufficiently over winter and has a high likelihood of returning with warmer weather. Current Situation To provide better access to drinking water and alleviate community hardship, Power and Water is proposing to provide potable water to each building by constructing a secondary (potable) reticulation to supply drinking water to each property boundary. A line with tap connection will then be installed from the property boundary to each kitchen for residences with discussions underway regarding specific requirements for potable water access in community facilities such as the School and Clinic.

5 The construction work area will cover the entire community as new reticulation pipes will be laid in trenches adjacent to existing water mains. During construction community members will be required to provide access to yards and homes for potable tap installation. It is expected the construction equipment will be on-site for about four months. The single water outlet point on top of the hill will be maintained while the dual reticulation is being installed. 1. TRIM Ref D2016/439795. Goals/objectives The overall aim of this community Engagement plan is to effectively inform (and keep informed) the public (customers and stakeholders) of the potable component dual reticulation solution and in doing so, gain understanding of and support for this solution while identifying any issues that will inform the project implementation.

6 The specific objectives for this plan are: 1. Ensure stakeholders and community residents are well informed of this work by providing clear and objective information addressing the following key points: a. Update on the problem b. What the solution is c. Why this solution was chosen d. When work will begin e. What to expect when work begins/how this work will be delivered; and f. Who will be delivering this work 2. Ensure our commitment to the stakeholders and their level of influence is clear (see page 6): Power and Water will: o Provide information in the right way to the right people to help you understand o Ensure you know the whole story o Keep you informed o Enable you to ask questions 3.

7 Ensure information is provided to the Yuelamu Local Authority and Central Desert Regional Councillors. 4. Promote the use of the potable kitchen tap for drinking and cooking, ensuring the expectation of how these taps will operate is understood. 5. Promote the use of all other taps for all other water use 6. Promote health messages as agreed with Department of Health. 7. Respond to issues raised within a timely manner, make clear where and who to go to for further information 8. Maintain a record of issues to inform project delivery where applicable 9.

8 Maintain awareness of all community members about the need to stay committed to saving water in their homes, businesses and during work due to water supply limitations 10. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Engagement and Communication during the project. 2. TRIM Ref D2016/439795. Engagement and Communication Action plan Key Messages Target Audience Method Tools/Materials Responsible Pre-construction Introduce: Councillors Council Meeting Report/Briefing In person by a PWC representative. Use PWC. The problem Local Authority members Local Authority Report/Meeting interpreter if required.

9 The solution - improved Service Providers Briefing access to drinking water All residents Service Provider meetings Why this solution Walk around the community and Construction work, discuss proposal with every when/what/who household and service provider Health messages Water efficiency messages Provide updates on: Councillors Council Meeting Report/Briefing In person or through the relevant chair PWC. The solution - improved Local Authority members Local Authority Meeting access to drinking water Impacted residents Report/Briefing Construction work, Service Providers Service Provider meetings In person, via a written meeting or via when/what/who (include map email and schedule when available).

10 Schedule for construction work, All community residents Informally hand out map to Provide map with coloured areas and PWC. when and where community residents use a dates of road closure/construction trained interpreter as needed Distribute information in poster PAW Media format to display around the community Distribute map via email distribution list Promote water saving messages All community residents Display in poster format or Posters PWC. flyers. Radio Engage PAW to play radio messages already made During construction 3. TRIM Ref D2016/439795.