Community

Whaleback Ridge is being developed with a focus on delivering long-term value for the West Coast.

This goes beyond energy generation.

We are working towards a coordinated approach that supports housing, workforce participation and community benefit sharing, with outcomes shaped through a structured engagement process.

A Community Reference Group (CRG) will be established to provide ongoing input into the project and help guide community-focused outcomes.

The CRG will include representatives from:

• Local communities
• Tasmanian Aboriginal groups
• Community and interest groups
• Local government

The role of the CRG is to:

• Provide a consistent local voice throughout the project
• Inform the design of community benefit initiatives
• Support transparency and accountability
• Help ensure outcomes reflect local priorities

The CRG will be established as part of the formal engagement process during the project’s assessment phase.

Housing is a key issue for the West Coast.

The scale and timing of workforce demand creates both a challenge and an opportunity.

We are working towards a coordinated housing approach that:

• Supports workforce accommodation during construction
• Reduces pressure on the existing rental market
• Transitions to long-term housing supply
• Supports essential services and population stability

The focus is on creating a lasting housing legacy, not temporary solutions.

Whaleback Ridge will create demand for a wide range of skills and services.

We are committed to:

• Supporting local employment opportunities where possible
• Creating pathways for training and apprenticeships
• Working with industry and education providers
• Enabling participation from local and regional businesses

The goal is to ensure the project contributes to building a stronger, more capable regional workforce.

We are developing a community benefit sharing approach that is:

• Structured and transparent
• Shaped through community input
• Focused on long-term outcomes

This will involve a dedicated program to invest back into the West Coast, supporting priorities identified by the community.

Potential areas of focus may include:

• Supporting cost of living pressures
• Community infrastructure
• Local services and facilities
• Economic and social initiatives

The intent is to ensure the value created by the project is shared locally.

A structured engagement process will be undertaken during 2026–2027 as part of the project’s assessment phase.

This process will:

• Establish the Community Reference Group
• Engage broadly with the West Coast community
• Work with stakeholders to identify priorities
• Co-design the community benefit sharing approach
• Inform housing and workforce participation strategies

This is a critical phase in shaping how the project delivers long-term outcomes for the region.