CANNINGS PURPLE | Stakeholder Engagement Credentials

Building Trust
with stakeholders
Stakeholder Engagement Credentials
Australasian Consultancy of the Year
2015 Asia-Pacific SABRE Award Winner
2016 Asia-Pacific SABRE Award Finalist
PART OF WPP AUNZ

About
Cannings Purple
Cannings Purple is an award-winning,
strategic communications consultancy,
providing high quality and personalised
communication advice.
We deliver communication programs across media,
government, investor, employee and community
audiences, providing an efficient, single source for
clients seeking external support.
WPP AUNZ is a cornerstone shareholder in
Cannings Purple and part of WPP, the world’s largest
communications services group. This close working
relationship allows us to provide our clients on-theground
support in any market and access to a national
and international network of communication specialists.
As a full service communication agency, Cannings
Purple provides cohesive communication programs
across investor, media, government, employee,
community and public audiences.

Stakeholder
engagement
expertise
Our outcome-focussed and award-winning community and stakeholder
engagement strategies lay the groundwork for building strong relationships through
strategic communication.
At the core of our planning approach is a desire to meet our
client’s corporate and project objectives while ensuring their
reputation and brand is protected and strengthened through
our work.
We use qualitative research along with community and
industry touch-points to scope dynamic changes and trends
in the community and broader society. This allows us to
proactively address risks and maximise positive opportunities
in a timely manner to influence the progress and likely
success of a project.
Our team has carried out community and stakeholder
engagement campaigns for high profile urban renewal
and major project developments across Australia, expertly
navigating the complex interplay of relationships through
these processes, along with the consultation requirements of
regulatory and government agencies.
Cannings Purple holds membership with the International
Association for Public Participation Australasia (IAP2) and
our approach to community engagement is guided by its
internationally endorsed Quality Assurance Standard.
Bunge Port Development, Bunbury

Case Study:
Sino Midwest Corporation
INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT APPROVALS
Sinosteel Midwest Corporation (SMC) is a
Chinese-owned enterprise developing and
mining iron ore and steel materials projects
from one of the largest land holdings in the
Mid West region of Western Australia.
Challenge
In June 2009, SMC received an unfavourable recommendation
from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
following a Public Environmental Review process for its
Koolanooka/Blue Hills Iron Ore Project. While the EPA Report
recommended part of the project for Ministerial approval, it
failed to recommend approval of mining components deemed
integral to the project’s economic viability. SMC engaged
Cannings Purple to plan and launch an intensive stakeholder
engagement campaign to encourage supporters of the project
to appeal the EPA’s decision.
Solution
Cannings Purple worked with SMC’s management team to
coordinate a combined government, media and grassroots
community engagement strategy to educate key stakeholders
of the impact of the EPA’s recommendations. As part of this
effort, stakeholders were encouraged to submit their own
appeal during the subsequent 14-day public appeal period.
Impact
This considerable effort resulted in an overwhelming public
response with 144 of 148 appeals received from local
government, industry bodies, indigenous groups, businesses,
workers and residents urging the Minister to grant approval
for the project. The campaign was a success. The project
was approved and, on 15 July 2010, SMC celebrated its first
shipment of ore - the first to be exported from Australia by a
Chinese company.

Case Study:
Charles Street
Bus Bridge and
Busway Project
SUCCESS THROUGH ENGAGEMENT
AND COLLABORATION
Challenge
The WA Government’s major transport agencies, Main Roads
WA and Public Transport Authority were tasked with delivering a
congestion-busting bridge and centre bus lanes in Charles Street
to give city bus routes direct access to the new Perth Busport.
Some key stakeholder groups were unhappy with a perceived
lack of consultation during the planning of the project and the
prospect of major disruptions during construction.
Solution
Cannings Purples’ stakeholder engagement specialist was
engaged by the construction firm building the bridge to
provide hands-on community and stakeholder engagement
throughout the building process. A construction stakeholder
reference group was established, with independent
facilitation, to provide a platform for project critics and other
impacted groups, including local governments, to hear
information first-hand, provide input and give feedback on
progress. Commuter cycle groups were called to participate
in detailed planning to determine acceptable cycle path
diversions during construction – a first for an inner-city project
of this kind. A steady stream of project information updates
and notifications minimised project complaints and addressed
any issues up-front.
Impact
Business representatives who had earlier criticised the project
quickly became advocates, supporting the efforts of the
contractor to complete the work as efficiently as possible.
Reference group members influenced aspects such as landscape
design and the installation of additional pedestrian crossings
– maximising local benefits. Cycle groups accepted proposed
detours without complaint, because they had participated in
the solutions. The construction program was completed with
minimal complaints and a high level of collaboration between
agencies. There was no negative media coverage during delivery
of the program.

Case Study:
Oil and Gas Explorer
BUILDING A SOCIAL LICENCE TO OPERATE
Challenge
Prior to a State election, environmental NGOs were
undertaking an anti-onshore gas campaign that mobilised
community activists and local media to oppose the grant of
a petroleum exploration permit in WA’s South West region.
Added to this, the regulator introduced a new policy requiring
demonstration of a social licence to operate before it would
grant the exploration permit. A new oil and gas explorer
was the preferred tenderer and client. Coordinated activism,
misinformation and the role of social media were key
challenges.
Solution
Cannings Purple partnered with the oil and gas exploration
company to mitigate earlier negative public relations
attempts and devise a stakeholder and communication
strategy to place the client on a stronger footing in the
community and with the regulator.
Training of a company leader and spokesperson and establishing
engagement to form relationships with key stakeholders were
central to the strategy. A new brand image, online presence
and collateral were formulated to build trust and acceptance.
The strategy included updates to the regulator through strategic
dialogue with various departmental executives.
Impact
Stakeholder perceptions were rapidly re-framed through direct
engagement by the CEO and Cannings Purple. Local media
reported factually on the potential proposal, interviewed
advocates and interrogated activist claims. Discussions
with community addressed the concerns produced by
misinformation and were managed to begin the informing
process regarding exploration activities. The permit has been
confirmed it will be awarded, creating significant value for a
new, small company with no other existing assets.

Our people
Michael Cairnduff
Account Manager
Chantal Hartstone
Associate Director
Richard Harris
Special Counsel
Paul Vogel
Strategic Adviser
Charlie Wilson-Clark
Associate Director
Michael has 16 years’ experience in
communications, publishing and business
development, where he has held senior
positions across newspapers, magazines,
digital publications, conferencing, tendering and
public relations.
He specialises in client management around
communications and stakeholder engagement
strategy, and the preparation and delivery of
sophisticated and engaging content for clients,
Over an 18-year career in both consulting and
in-house roles, Chantal has practised across the
full spectrum of corporate and public affairs in
the public and private sectors. Specialising in the
areas of strategic communications, stakeholder
relations and corporate reputation management,
Chantal has demonstrated proficiency in
delivering outcomes in fast moving corporate,
project and operational environments.
Richard has decades of experience in Western
Australia’s energy and resources sectors at
strategic project and policy development level,
in both the private and public sectors. Richard
worked for more than 20 years in senior levels
of government in both the Federal and State
jurisdictions and has an extensive network with
senior bureaucrats and politicians.
Paul Vogel is contracted to Cannings Purple
as a strategic advisor. Paul’s knowledge and
experience in the areas of environmental issues,
organisational and regulatory reform and strategic
environmental and business outcomes in Western
Australia is unsurpassed. Currently a non-executive
board director and strategic consultant, Paul was
Chairman of Western Australia’s Environmental
Protection Authority from 2007 - 2015. Prior to this
he was the inaugural Chief Executive and Chairman
of the South Australian EPA from 2002 - 2007.
Charlie Wilson-Clark is a stakeholder and
community engagement specialist with 20 years’
experience in specialist communications. She is
fully certified by the International Association for
Public Participation (IAP2) and has designed and
implemented stakeholder engagement strategies
for major public infrastructure projects, proposed
mines and urban developments.
She specialises in the communication of
complex environmental issues and developing
to be disseminated across traditional media and
digital marketing platforms.
Before joining Cannings Purple, Michael was
managing editor of Aspermont Limited, including
agricultural research and publishing organisation
Kondinin Group, where he had editorial
management responsibility for national publications
including Mining Monthly, Resourcestocks
MiningNews.net, EnergyNews.net, International
Coal News, Contractor and Farming Ahead.
Chantal was appointed Cannings Purple
associate director in 2014 and is a senior
member of the organisation, leading major
work packages and providing strategic advice
and support.
Richard’s roles in the private sector have
included WA Director of ERM Power and
managing director of Mid West Energy.
Richard also chairs the WA Independent
Power Association.
Paul has also held senior executive positions in the
WA Departments of the Premier and Cabinet and
Environmental Protection. Pauls holds a PhD in
chemistry from the University of Western Australia.
He is chairman of a national Cooperative Research
Centre on Contamination and Remediation of the
Environment; a director of the Australian Technology
Network of Universities Australian Research Impact
Advisory Board and a member of the Australian
Institute of Company Directors. He was appointed
to the Northern Territory EPA from 1 January 2016.
consultation processes where community and
other stakeholders can participate and provide
feedback on a proposal in a meaningful way. She
also specialises in Aboriginal engagement and
has worked with traditional owners in the Perth
metropolitan area, Kimberley and Pilbara.
Recent projects include two urban infrastructure
projects for Main Roads where Charlie is the
community and stakeholder engagement manager
with the civil contractor.

Head Office (Perth)
Level 1
Brookfield Place Tower 2,
123 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
P: +61 8 6314 6300
E: info@canningspurple.com.au
Sydney Office
Level 4, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Canberra Office
Level 2
13B National Press Club
16 National Circuit
Barton ACT 2600T
Melbourne Office
Level 5, 350 Queen St
Melbourne VIC 3000
www.canningspurple.com.au
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