Campaign:
In 1997, Gippsland Water was issued with a Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN) by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). It was required to address the odour issues from the open channel section of the Regional Outfall Sewer (ROS). The concept of the Gippsland Water Factory (GWF) was developed. Gippsland Water chose an alliance model of delivery, from design through to proving and optimisation of the wastewater treatment system. In 2005, Socom was invited by an alliance team of Transfield Services, CH2M HILL and Parsons Brinckerhoff to plan, manage and implement all facets of communication for the project up to the end of commissioning.

Our Approach:
Open and honest communication and opportunities for feedback from the community and stakeholders, including State Government, was critical to the project’s success. Key to Socom’s approach was the communication management plan setting out the tactical and strategic approach to community, stakeholders and internal communication for the life of the project.
Socom worked closely with other Gippsland Water Factory teams to ensure affected landowners such as the immediate neighbours to the Factory plant and those along the transfer pipelines were kept up-to-date. As works were likely to impact on landowners, the plan needed to address any issues as quickly as possible. The introduction of construction and restoration agreements was particularly useful in mitigating issues during the construction of 78 kilometres of pipeline.

Results:
Socom successfully managed the communication for the Gippsland Water Factory until the end of July 2010 when communication was handed back to Gippsland Water as part of planned alliance demobilisation.

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