Social Impact Assessment

Guiding Projects Towards Social Impact Success to Meet and Go Beyond Regulatory Expectations

How does your project affect the communities, stakeholders and environment around it?

At Ithaca Impact, we help businesses understand and manage the social impacts of their projects.
We offer Social Impact Assessments that adhear to state-based guidelines, to develop tailored strategies that ensure regulatory compliance and build community trust.

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Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a process to identify, analyse, assess, manage and monitor the social impact of a project, both positive and negative. In Queensland, its scope and methodology it is defined by the Social Impact Assessment Guideline under the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017.

It examines how the project will impact the well-being, culture, and livelihoods of affected communities and uses these insights to develop strategies that mitigate negative effects while maximising benefits

By addressing the 5 key matters, the SIA process ensures that social considerations are integrated into decision-making and planning, promoting sustainable development and fostering community engagement.

What is a Social Impact Assessment?

The 5 Key Matters of SIA

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Community & Stakeholder Engagement

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Workforce Engagement

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Housing & Accomodation

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Local Business & Industry Procurement

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Health & Community Wellbeing

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Conducting an SIA is vital to ensure that your project delivers benefits to the local community and surrounded area where it is implemented.

There are some further benefits that can assist with the success of the project implementation, these are;

  • Identify Potential Impacts

  • Community Engagement

  • Regulatory Compliance

  • Risk Management

  • Enhance Project Design

  • Sustainability and social responsibility

  • Improve decision making

  • Long-Term Monitoring

Why conduct a Social Impact Assesment?

The SIA process is a thorough and dynamic approach designed to understand, evaluate, and manage the social impacts of a project.

The process comprises multiple phases, each documented in the SIA report, along with a detailed explanation of the approach and methods employed for each phase.

Social Impact Assessment Process

Baseline Analysis

Impact Assessment

Impact mitigation and benefit enhancement

SIA report incl Social Impact Mgt Plan (SIMP)

Monitoring

Scoping

Review & update

Why Choose Ithaca Impact?

  • Decades of stakeholder consultation experience

    Both domestic and international, in complex, remote, sensitive, and politically charged contexts

  • First-class economic impact modelling

    Highly regarded social, resource economics analysis using state-of-the-art input-output models

  • Human rights expertise

    Deep expertise in social and human rights impact analysis, including in remote, contested and complex contexts

  • In-depth knowledge of extractives and energy industries

    Highly regarded social, resource economics analysis and modelling within the resources and other sectors

  • Best-practice SIA methodologies

    Reflecting emerging best practice to ensure the project is aligned to contemporary and emerging expectations

  • Business strategy alignment

    Technical acumen and a reputation for delivering innovative and phased improvements which are aligned with business strategy

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Does your project need a Social Impact Assessment?

At Ithaca Impact, we understand that the success of your project hinges on its ability to navigate the complex landscape of social and environmental impacts. Our expertise in conducting Social Impact Assessments provides you with a comprehensive understanding of how your project affects local communities, stakeholders, and the environment.

Ensure your project not only meets regulatory requirements but also gains the community’s trust and support. Discover how a comprehensive Social Impact Assessment can safeguard your project’s success by addressing potential social risks before they become costly obstacles.

FAQs

  • SIAs are essential to ensure that projects comply with regulatory requirements, gain community acceptance, and mitigate potential social risks that could delay or derail the project.

  • We follow the Social Impact Guidelines set by the Australian Government, ensuring that our assessments meet all regulatory requirements. Our team stays updated on any changes to these guidelines to maintain compliance.

  • The timeline for completing an SIA depends on the project's complexity, size, and scope. Generally, it can take anywhere from a couple of months to a year.

  • We employ a thorough stakeholder engagement strategy, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and public meetings, to gather input and address concerns from affected communities.

  • Yes, conducting a thorough SIA increases the likelihood of project approval by demonstrating that all potential social impacts have been identified and addressed in line with regulatory requirements.

  • If new impacts arise, we offer ongoing monitoring and reassessment services to address any unforeseen social consequences and update mitigation strategies as needed.

  • The cost of an SIA varies depending on the project’s size, scope, and complexity. We offer customized quotes based on the specific needs of your project.