The cega community engagement model

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cega provides companies, government agencies and community groups with a specialist service that includes a range of tools to support their community engagement programs.

Community Engagement Group Australia - 'showing leadership in community engagement'

cega provides an easy and cost effective way for companies, government agencies and / or community organisations to manage their community engagement programs.

cega can provide the following tools:

  • a template Community Engagement Plan that can be reviewed by the appropriate regulator (s) and independent experts;
  • a tool to assist in calculating the benefits and costs of community engagement for their specific project;
  • a diagnostic tool to review performance in community engagement;
  • other specific tools related to community engagement strategies;
  • listing on the cega website including a link to their company's website for cross promotion; and
  • promotion in regular cega publications and media briefings.

An annual review is a key component of cega's approach. The review represents an independent validation of performance against a standard that can be reviewed by the appropriate regulator (s) and peer reviewed by technical experts.

The benefits of community engagement

Today, the community 'licence to operate' is as important to project proponents, planners and regulators as due process and compliance. Communities rightly insist on taking an active role in determining their own future and are well informed as a result of high levels of education and easy access to data and information.

Delays in project approvals, conflicts following project commencement or community unrest at planning or project decisions, all have a cost. These costs can be measured, and are both financial and non financial. Positive relationships across all community groups are vital for community stability and sustainable futures.

By adopting good practice community engagement:

  • Regulatory requirements can be addressed where they exist;
  • Compliance delays can be minimised;
  • Conflict costs can be reduced or avoided;
  • Company image can be enhanced;
  • Project / planning opportunities can be identified that otherwise may not be visible;
  • Stakeholder relationships can be forged through community engagement participation, that can be useful in another aspect of the project or planning.

These items can be costed in financial and non financial terms by companies, government bodies and by the community. cega has a tool that can do this.