Read the latest case studies from Kath Elliott Communications

BORAL

 

Boral’s Bombo Quarry

Boral has a disused quarry at Bombo, in a redidentil area near the ocean just north of Kiama. Boral’s consent conditions include rehabilitating the site. However Boral has taken the opportunity to seek a change in their approval to utilise extensive fill from Sydney road tunneling projects such as Northconnex to not only rehabilitate the site, but fill the quarry with the material from these tunnel projects, creating a new landform suitable for future development.

The fill will need to be transported by rail and/or road over a period of several years, with associated impacts on the local community.

Boral understands that the local community will have some concerns regarding the changes to the site, its long term future use and the transport methods for the fill.

KEC was engaged to undertake extensive community consultation with neighbours to support the planning modification, to be determined by Kiama Council.

This included the development of a stakeholder database, key messages about the project, information sessions, newsletters letterboxed to the local community, site tours with adjacent neighbours, presentations to Councillors, and liaison with key government stakehlders in including state and federal members, Kiama Council and Transport for NSW.

This project is still being determined by Council.

Carbon Tax

PWCS

 

Carbon Tax

As the Director of Communications for the Australian Coal Association, Kath Elliott spearheaded the black coal industry’s communications strategy to oppose the Labor Government’s proposal to introduce a carbon tax.

The Gillard Government required the support of the Greens Party in order to form a minority government, with the introduction and passing of the Carbon Tax legislation a key condition of the Greens support.

With the objective of building a groundswell of support against the tax, Kath coordinated the Australian Industry Trade Alliance, a network of resources and manufacturing industry associations, including the Minerals Council of Australia, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Coal Association, Australian Retailers Association, Housing Industry Association, and Manufacturing Australia.

The communication strategy included national and regional advertising, government relations and lobbying, stakeholder and community relations, media and public relations.

While blocking the legislation was always going to be challenging given the political climate, the momentum for abolishing the tax continued until 2013 when carbon tax became a key campaign issue for the Abbott-led Liberal Party.

In 2013 Prime Minister Abbott announced that his first act as leader would be the drafting of legislation to repeal the Carbon Tax, and in 2014 the Carbon Tax legislation was repealed.

Port Waratah Coal Services

Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS) was looking to expand its Kooragang Coal Loader operations, with a planned spend of $700 million.

As the manager of the approvals process, Kath Elliott worked closely with the NSW Government and managed the company’s strategic response to a challenge in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

Ultimately the passage of the Kooragang Coal Loader Special Provisions Bill was passed in parliament, providing development certainty.

In 2002 Stage 3 of the expansion was completed with shiploading capacity at Kooragang Coal Terminal increased to 64 mega tons per annum.

Key aspects of Kath’s role included:

  • Consultation with key stakeholders

  • Government relations

  • Leading the multidisciplinary team to develop the EIS

  • Leading the expert witness and legal team for the NSW Land and Environment Court defence

  • Media and public relations