Embedded in our approach to working with local communities is a commitment to establish and maintain enduring and mutually beneficial relationships. A key part of this is employing locally. Santos employees live and work in many of the communities where we operate, and are actively involved in our community programs and activities.
Open and transparent communication is critical to being a responsible and trusted community member. We actively listen to community concerns and expectations and integrate them into our business planning. Project-specific community engagement plans for our major operations ensure open channels of communication.
For all major projects, we undertake assessments to guide our work and mitigate our social impacts, identify the social benefits we can deliver and guide our community investment strategies. These social benefits and investments include local employment and training, use of local suppliers, provision of health and essential services, infrastructure investment and sponsorship of community events and programs.
As an Australian company, we recognise and respect Aboriginal peoples’ attachment to their country and the importance of Aboriginal cultural heritage. We involve Aboriginal people when managing any potential cultural heritage risk resulting from our operations.