Overview
The Moree SAP is a 5,800 hectare precinct with potential for substantial renewable energy development, transition from road to rail through a regionally significant intermodal facility, development of value-add agricultural industries and a program to ensure that local disadvantage is addressed, particularly through jobs and education to support the local Aboriginal community.
WSP and Elton Consulting worked together to provide planning and structure planning expertise, lead the codesign process – including Enquiry by Design workshop – and integrate the work of numerous technical consultants into the Moree SAP Structure Plan vision.
Our Waste Management & Circular Economy team also facilitated a holistic application of Circular Economy principles at the Master Planning Stage. This enabled us to ensure that infrastructure and resources are managed as efficiently as possible to minimise wastes, including the efficient location or the co-location of certain land uses and infrastructure.
Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
The SIA identified the existing situation, gaps in the provision of infrastructure, and the key opportunities and areas of innovation to address recognised deficits and build on local strengths. It included the initial Analysis report, participation in the Enquiry by Design Process, scenario planning and the final Assessment report.
While the SAP investigation area is a key focus of this report, the SIA considered both the needs and opportunities that exist within the broader township and across the LGA.
Challenges and solutions
Moree has unique characteristics, including a richness of Aboriginal history and heritage, significant social disadvantage, population decline, challenging environmental and social factors.
The SIA was viewed through a Future Ready lens that included an understanding that investment decisions in regional areas are made on the liveability and amenity of an area, including the standard of health, education and other social aspects. For Moree, it is likely that future investment attraction will rely heavily on the opportunities and offerings that can be provided to businesses and their workers. As such, the SIA examined infrastructure at three levels:
- The social infrastructure required as a direct result of the development of the SAP and what is required to encourage businesses and workers to relocate to Moree.
- The social infrastructure required to support the existing local workforce, including the facilities and services that will help to retain the local workforce in Moree and retain talent and skills within the town.
- The social infrastructure, services and general social improvements that are required to improve the current situation, transform existing social disadvantage and equalise outcomes across the broader community.
