Social Impact Assessment Report & Social Impact Management Plan – Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment

This Social Impact Assessment Report has been prepared by the University of Newcastle’s Institute for Regional Futures, on behalf of NSW Health Infrastructure. It relates to the redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital in the Clarence Valley local government area (LGA) of NSW.

Health Infrastructure engaged the Institute for Regional Futures (the ‘Institute’) to conduct a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for the Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment (GBHR). Completion of a SIA for all ‘state significant’ developments is a requirement under NSW Government planning laws. SIAs assist consent authorities to make informed decisions regarding Development Approvals, leading to a more socio-culturally, ecologically and economically sustainable and equitable environment. This SIA has been prepared to assist in the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) required for the Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment. Conducting a social impact assessment is complex and requires a methodical approach to ensure all legislative requirements are met.

The requirements for this project were twofold. A Preliminary SIA was completed identifying the level of SIA required and subsequently prepared the project for community engagement. The second part of the project has involved carrying out the SIA process, which includes finalising the social baseline, implementing community engagement, comprehensive identification of social impacts, and the development of a preliminary Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP).

The Social Impact Assessment project has included:

• Social planning scoping and preliminary identification of social impacts.

• Delivery of a Preliminary Social Impact Assessment Scoping Report.

• Scoping of potential social impacts using the Stage Significant Projects Scoping Worksheet.

• Detailed social impact assessment and mitigation, including social baseline; detailed review of consultant and other relevant reports; and a review of community engagement activities to date.

• Separate stakeholder consultation of key informants, agencies, staff and the community.

• Preparation of a Social Impact Assessment Report in line with DPIE’s (the former Department of Planning, Industry and Environment) 2023 Social Impact Assessment Guidelines for major projects.

This SIA has been prepared by Dr Jai Cooper, Dr Jenny Thompson, and Myles Egan of the Institute for Regional Futures.