Community investment

Developing partnerships and leverging investment

Our approach

Our contribution to Queensland and New South Wales extends beyond the immediate economic benefits of our business. We support a wide range of projects and partnerships to build stronger and more sustainable communities. Most importantly, we invest in the regional communities surrounding our operations.

We prioritise support for projects based on the needs of the community as identified through regional plans, consultation and our socio economic baseline studies.  These needs generally include business development, education and training, health, environment and culture. We look for projects that offer long term solutions to important issues in these areas.

Our community investment programme is structured to include community development funds and local donations and sponsorships.

2009 activity

During 2009, we invested more than $8 million in Queensland and New South Wales, including more than $5 million directly invested in more than 373 community projects and more than $2 million in direct payments. In addition, we contribute significant in-kind support and community infrastructure.

We work with partners who share our values and goals including community organisations, government and other businesses. Together with our partners nearly $9.7 million worth of community projects and programmes was invested in Queensland and New South Wales during 2009, delivering a benefit far greater than our contribution alone.

A significant investment in public transport infrastructure was made at Clermont which reflects a large proportion of investment made in Queensland during 2009.

Definitions

Community investment is our contribution to the community, made at the discretion of the business. The investment amount is consistent each year, irrespective of market conditions and other impacts on our business. The way in which our investment is allocated is largely determined by committees comprising of community members and representatives from within our business. Funding may be given for community projects as donations or charitable gifts, sponsorships, partnerships or the cost of matching charity fundraising by employees. Our community development funds are a critical part of our community investment programme. More information about our funds is available by selecting from the right hand navigation menu.

Direct payments or 'community controlled' payments are those that are made via land access, mine development, native title, impact benefit, compensation or other legally binding agreements entered into for the purpose of community development. It is the community - not the business - that determines how the funds are used.