CHICHESTER TRUNK GRAVITY MAIN (CTGM)

Project Objectives

A $43M project to replace and bury underground, a critical 8-kilometre section of the ageing Chichester Trunk Gravity Main (CTGM) between Tarro and Duckenfield. An additional 24km of pipeline between Seaham and Osterley was also removed.

Hunter Water has been upgrading sections of this main water line since 2009 to improve the reliability of the Lower Hunter’s water supply pipeline, which carries about 40 per cent of the region’s water from Chichester Dam to Newcastle.

Our Role

In close consultation with our client, Spectrum Comms prepared and executed a Communications and Stakeholder Management Plan (CSMP), setting the strategic direction for communications and engagement across the delivery of the Project.

We undertook the role of Community Liaison Manager (CLM) for Downer, leading communications and engagement with key community groups and stakeholders, including 20 individual landholders on prime agricultural land.

Spectrum Comms updated and implemented communication strategies, management plans, forward outlook matrix, key messages, protocols and approvals processes.

We handled enquiries and complaints in line with Hunter Water’s approved enquiry and complaint procedure. We ensured stakeholder and community issues were dealt with proactively and efficiently. Accurate record-taking of all Project contacts and correspondence with stakeholders and the community using Consultation Manager (CM) was essential for efficient landholder negotiation and property lease agreements.

Outcomes

The Tarro to Duckenfield pipeline was commissioned in November 2019. Landholder liaison continued to rehabilitate productive farmland including negotiations on fencing, landfalls and soil testing.