Brisbane Airport Corporation
Stakeholder Engagement

The Challenge:

BWH was contracted to provide strategic communication advice and public engagement expertise for Brisbane Airport Corporation’s $1 billion proposed new parallel runway project. The overriding aim of the program was to inform and educate the community and key political stakeholders about the project while providing opportunities for the community to participate in and comment on the Draft EIS/MDP process.

Communication and Engagement Initiatives:

Among the primary elements of this multi-faceted program were:

• Development of a comprehensive project website;
• Regular information newsletters that included a feedback form, distributed to over 300,000 households within Brisbane;
• Research at various stages of the project to determine the level of reach and understanding about the project;
• Development of Fact Sheets about major aspects of the NPR project;
• Presentations to key industry, special interest and community groups;
• An issues management and media relations program;
• A dedicated NPR Community Information Centre devoted to providing the community with access to all materials supporting the EIS/MDP;
• Development of a benchmark setting Flight Path and Noise Information Booklet;
• A project DVD which set out the key findings of the EIS/MDP;
• Development of a Summary of Major Findings which could be read and easily understood by the community; and
• Shopping centre, library and key venue displays.

Evaluation and Outcomes:

• BAC received just 196 submissions for the NPR, which was considered to be one of the city’s most contentious public infrastructure projects. Of the 196, 21 were in favour of the project.
• The communication and public engagement program was considered a major success for BAC, as it works towards the delivery of over $2.4 billion in infrastructure.
• In September 2007 the Australian Government approved the EIS/MDP paving the way for the future commencement of the $1 billion NPR.