Campaign:
For many years, the team at Calleja have been working hard on a new technology to use at the Brown Coal Mine at Maddingley, South of Bacchus Marsh. Once perfected, this technology could mean the growth of the industry at the mine and the adjoining industrial park, creating hundreds of new jobs and economic growth for the local area.
However, local Council had different plans for the site. The wedge of land between the industrial park and the mine had been earmarked for residential development, potentially creating hundreds of cheap houses within 400 metres of the mine. This had the potential to effectively shut down the mine and any chances of a growing industry.

Our Approach:
It was time to get the community involved. Socom mounted a campaign to inform the community of Council’s poorly formed plans at a public meeting. Research was undertaken to test community perceptions. Media briefings and Councillor meetings were organised to put forward the case to save the industry and jobs in Bacchus Marsh. Mine tours were organised for community members to see the mine and its future up close.

Results:
More than 100 people attended the community meetings and continued interest in the mine tours has prompted Calleja to run them on an ongoing basis.  The decision to allow development inside the buffer zone was overturned at VCAT.

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