Nacap Australia devised various initiatives to successfully manage cultural heritage and community involvement on the Wallumbilla to Darling Downs Pipeline.

The project passes through the traditional country of the Mandandanji and Barunggam Aboriginal people. Prior to construction, both traditional owner groups engaged in an archaeological survey of the proposed alignment to identify cultural sites and subsequently developed a range of mitigation procedures to ensure the protection of sites during the construction stage.

Nacap’s cultural heritage approach

Origin developed a cultural heritage construction requirements document that clearly described the protection measures agreed upon with the Barunggam and Mandandanji people. A range of protection measures were developed including:

• Nominating sections of narrowed right-of-way (RoW), down to 12 m wide for 100 m long sections;
• Perimeter fencing of sites immediately adjacent to the RoW; and,
• The presence of trained cultural heritage monitors during clear and grade works near identified cultural sites.

At two creek lines, cultural heritage monitors were required to be onsite during the preparation of the trench line by excavators. Cultural sites were also clearly marked on project alignment sheets and requirements at each site were stipulated in an accompanying document.

These requirements were incorporated into Nacap’s Cultural Heritage Management Plan, which is an integral part of Nacap’s ‘total quality management’ system. The plan guided Nacap’s dealings with traditional owner groups, the management of known cultural sites, as well as any unknown sites that may be uncovered during the course of works.

In addition to the ‘on ground’ identification of sites, the need for cultural monitoring was incorporated into relevant supervisor’s work packs and into relevant project management paperwork that was signed off by supervisors prior to works commencing. This mixture of on ground and project management safeguards strengthens the protection of cultural sites.

Both the Barunggam and Mandandanji traditional owners were offered the opportunity to be involved at project inductions– either in person or via input to cultural heritage information presented at inductions – and whilst onsite for monitoring activities, the opportunity to make comment at weekly toolbox meetings.

Throughout the project, Nacap advised Origin of scheduled dates for works in areas nominated as requiring cultural heritage personnel. Due to sporadic weather delays, a degree of flexibility was required by all parties to ensure the monitoring of works near cultural sites took place as required, ensuring the project program was not impacted.

While onsite, representatives of both traditional owner groups were an integral part of Nacap’s work crews and worked closely with relevant personnel. If not living nearby, Barunggam and Mandandanji monitors were accommodated in the construction camps and all monitors travelled to the site with the relevant work crew.

At each new section of RoW requiring cultural heritage monitoring, the extent of the cultural site, the monitoring requirement, and the works to be undertaken were discussed onsite by the nominated cultural heritage monitors, Nacap’s Lands, Environmental and Cultural Heritage Manager and the Supervisor to ensure each party had a clear understanding of the day’s activities.

On all Nacap’s projects where cultural heritage is concerned, the company has a routine process to ensure all known sites adjacent to or near the edge of the easement are flagged as ‘no go’ zones prior to construction commencing. Flagging out of sites will occur as soon as practical following initial access to the project site.

Dealing with Australian communities in remote locations

Nacap routinely deals with remote communities in a variety of ways during the course of construction projects. Liaison is conducted with landowners directly affected by the pipeline construction process and their individual property needs are communicated to work supervisors and embedded in Nacap’s construction work methods.

Essential service providers including police, ambulance and fire authorities are also provided with relevant details of the project, such as location, duration and size of workforce, as are local governments and directly affected state government departments. One-on-one meetings are generally conducted with staff of the above agencies at project commencement, and regular contact and updates on progress are provided throughout the duration of the project.

At a community level, Nacap aims to involve itself in the local community wherever practical as opportunities present themselves. Local business participation is maximised when these businesses can comply with the safety and wider project objectives, and local people are employed where skill sets match project vacancies.

Nacap prides itself on developing and maintaining a project culture in which the importance of cultural heritage values is recognised and respected by Nacap’s workforce.