Memorandum of Understanding with Gannawarra and Swan Hill Shire Councils

  • The MOU defines shared or co-dependent responsibilities around job creation, training and development, local infrastructure planning and use, indirect project economic opportunities and Government funding advocacy. The Agreement also covers environmental and social development outcomes for the mutual benefit of the community and VHM.
  • Formalising the relationship between VHM and the Councils is a key indication of our mutual respect and intent to create positive opportunities for the people of the Gannawarra and Swan Hill council communities.
  • VHM looks forward to continuing the close working relationship with the Councils to ensure the local community benefits from employment opportunities and contributions to the local and regional economy.

Pictured: Gannawarra Shire Council CEO Geoff Rollinson and VHM Limited Managing Director Graham Howard signing the Memorandum of Understanding (2023).

Pictured: Swan Hill Regional City Council Mayor Cr Les McPhee (left) and CEO Scott Barber (right) with VHM Community Engagement General Manager Debbie Rice (2023).

VHM strongly believes that the local community should benefit from our presence.

We are currently developing our social investment strategy to ensure our focus is firm on building local prosperity, improving quality of life and helping our local towns thrive.

Above: The VHM team Minerals Council of Australia’s Victorian Division Executive Director, James Sorahan, ready to talk to students at the 2023 MMLLEN Agriculture/Horticulture Careers Expo held in Swan Hill, 2023.

VHM has been proud sponsor supporting a number of primary social clubs and community social events in the Swan Hill and Gannawarra councils and surrounding districts. These include ongoing sponsors of:

  • Golden Rivers and Central Murray Football-Netball Leagues
  • Kerang Football-Netball Club
  • Annual Rotary Club of Kerang Art Show

Above: Central Murray Football-Netball Leagues

Above: Rotary of Kerang Art Show

Left to right:  Gannawarra Shire Council Mayor Ross Stanton, VHM’s Community and Stakeholder Engagement Advisor Vesna Rendulic, Rotary Club of Kerang’s Jenny Kelly, Gannawarra Shire Chief Executive Officer Geoff Rollinson, Rotary District Governor Ian McKay at the 2024 event.

VHM is committed to ongoing dialogue with landholders directly and indirectly impacted by the Goschen Project and seeks to establish voluntary agreements with landholders and ensuring that landholders are fairly compensated.

We encourage landholders to refer to the Land Use Guide prepared by the Minerals Council of Australia Victorian Division and the Victorian Farmers Federation which explains how VHM will conduct business in compliance with Victoria’s Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990.

Neighbour agreements

Our extensive studies outline how we will mitigate impacts such as dust, light and noise, however VHM recognises there will be a change of amenity to residents who live in close proximity to the proposed Goschen minesite.

Despite taking actions such as bussing staff to site, we understand there will be increased traffic on local roads and greater activity in the region.

VHM has established a Neighbour Agreement where all landowners who live within 3.5 kilometres are offered a payment in recognition of this change.   This is the first time a mining Company in Victoria has offered such an Agreement and demonstrates our commitment to our neighbours.

The Company has developed a scaled scheme whereby those closest (within 1 Kilometre) receive a higher payment than those between 1-2 kms, and then 2-3.5 kms.  This ensures our closest neighbours are recognised when the Company starts construction and operations.

 

We are a friendly bunch!  Say hi if you see any of us out and about.

Vesna Rendulic

Community and Stakeholder Engagement Advisor