Community Input
Hydro has been providing a range of information to the community through various methods so that anyone wishing to understand activities at the site has access to the relevant information. In addition to the drop-in sessions and the Community Reference Group (CRG) detailed below, Hydro established these project web pages, a 1800-number community line, and an email address so that the project team can hear and respond to questions, concerns or suggestions from the community as the project progresses.
We have also created a YouTube channel to assist in sharing the story of the Regrowth project.
Related Documents
Community Reference Group
In mid-2014 Hydro called for expressions of interest from community members to sit on a Community Reference Group (CRG). Since then the group met on a regular basis until 2024. The CRG members belonged to community groups, represented Maitland and Cessnock Councils, or simply lived nearby. The main criteria for membership was that the members are available to attend meetings, have capacity to disseminate information from the meetings back into the community, and could bring questions or suggestions to the meeting so that the project team understands the values and aspirations of the community for the future of the site.
The group operated under a terms of reference. These terms were developed at the first meeting with the members, and describe what the meetings are for, how they will run and the rights and obligations of members.
The last meeting of the CRG was has held on 29 February 2024. It was meeting number 58. Hydro is very grateful to the CRG members that provided their time and engaged meaningfully with the project over such a long period.
CRG members for the last meetings were:
- Mr Richard Brown – Managing Director, Hydro Kurri Kurri
- Mr Andrew Walker – Hydro Kurri Kurri
- Mr Darrin Gray – Community representative (formerly Cessnock City Council)
- Mr Alan Gray – Community representative
- Mr Bill Metcalfe – Community representative
- Mr Toby Thomas – Community representative
- Mrs Kerry Hallett – Hunter Business Enterprise Centre
- Cr Robert Aitchison – Maitland City Council
- Cr Rosa Grine – Cessnock City Council
- Cr Mitchell Hill – Cessnock City Council
- Ms Jenny Mewing – Senior Strategic Planner , Cessnock City Council
- Ms Tara Dever – Mindaribba Local Area Land Council
CRG members were encouraged to provide information about the project to interested community members.
Past members include:
- Ms Debra Ford – Community representative
- Mr Brad Wood – Community representative
- Mr Iain Rush – Cessnock City Council
- Mr Rod Doherty – Community Representative
- Mr Kerry McNaughton – Environmental Officer, Hydro Kurri Kurri
- Mr Andrew Neil – Manager Strategic Planning, Maitland City Council
- Cr Arch Humphery – Maitland City Council
- Mr Ian Shillington – Manager Urban Growth, Maitland City Council
- Mr Ian Turnbull – Manager Natural Environment Planning, Cessnock City Council
- Mr Colin Maybury – Kurri Kurri Landcare