Bechtel Raises the Bar with Stakeholder Engagement

For the 35,000 residents of Gladstone, Australia, the effect of creating three massive LNG plants on Curtis Island has been transformative to their local economy. More than $1 billion in local wages have been paid, $697 million in purchase orders and contracts spent, and 20,000 contracts awarded since construction started. In addition, more than 5,000 local employees work at the projects, and 400 adult apprentices were trained and hired.

As with all projects, strong relationships with the community and regulatory authorities are critical. We are delivering a community and natural environment that will support our customer for decades. Bechtel’s ties with the Gladstone region span some 30 years─an enduring legacy we want to continue.

In Gladstone, the common practice of dialogue, grievance procedures, and informed consultation was important but insufficient, given the unprecedented size, scale, and complexity of the projects.

We knew it required a more focused approach that kept stakeholder engagement central to project execution. The result: We created a Centralized Services Organization (CSO) with stakeholder engagement as its organizing principle and a goal of ensuring a positive sustainable hand over of the projects to the customers and communities.

Read more about our approach to working with our communities and customers in Gladstone.