Community Development and Social Impact
We bring together communities and major projects
Palea Project Associates is an independent consulting company specialising in community development strategy, stakeholder engagement, Indigenous employment and economic development in resource and infrastructure projects.
About Us
COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL IMPACT CONSULTANTS – RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The word palea is used by scientists to describe flower forms in spiky desert grasses. A palea is a connector between the blade of grass and its flower.
At Palea Project Associates, we see ourselves as connectors, bringing our skills and expertise to many of Australia’s remote and regional development projects. We provide an innovative link between businesses and the communities where they operate. We design strategies to enable local people to access economic and social development opportunities associated with major projects. In all of our work we aim to provide lasting impact and mutual value for the client and the community.
Our Associates are members of:
- International Association for Impact Assessment
- International Association for Public Participation
Our Approach
Palea offers clients a practical approach to complex community issues. We devise ways to align quality of life and community wellness with major resource developments. Our work is forged through executive-level planning and strategy development, backed by extensive site experience and local knowledge. We partner with our clients to:
- Establish a clear process to set project outcomes and objectives
- Align all activities to the client’s business strategy
- Track results and identify ongoing challenges and successes
- Measure and evaluate outcomes
Services
- Community and Stakeholder Management
- Social Impact Management
- Social Investment Reviews
- Indigenous Employment Strategies
- Community Investment Planning
- Indigenous Engagement
- Business and Community Partnerships
- Indigenous Affairs Management Plans/ Social Impact Management Plans
Clients
Palea’s personnel have previously consulted to:
BGC Contracting, LandCorp, Laing O’Rourke, Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd, Department of Environment, Department of Agriculture and Food, Northern Agriculture Catchments Council, Murdoch University, Wheatbelt Area Consultative Committee, Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation, EON Foundation, Main Roads WA, Curtin University of Technology, Spotless Group, Edith Cowan University.
Indigenous Business Development
Palea works with its sister company, Meme Projects, to develop Indigenous Business Opportunities. Meme was founded by Dr Barbara Hostalek, an Indigenous veterinary surgeon and community consultant. Barbara’s career in business was inspired by her grandmother Helena Murphy, a Yawuru Nikina elder, entrepreneur and civil rights campaigner.
By working in partnership, Palea and Meme aim to take on business contracts that allow employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for disadvantaged Indigenous people.
Project Examples
Palea’s personnel have worked on the following projects:
Landcorp- Ord Irrigation Expansion Project- Design and Modelling of Process for Local Employment
Browse LNG- Preparation of EPC bid ‘ Indigenous Affairs and Social Impact’ for proponent
BGC Contracting- Facilitation of Senior Management ‘Indigenous Employment Working Group’
BGC Contracting- Design Development of Indigenous Employment Strategy
Edith Cowan University- Design of ‘Indigenous Employment Strategy’ for workforce of 2600 employees
Edith Cowan University- Design and Delivery of ‘Indigenous Perspectives in the Curriculum’ Project delivered across all faculties
Ichthys Project- Onshore LNG Facilities ‘Accommodation Village’ Preparation of Indigenous Business Development Plan for Proponent
Northern Agriculture Catchments Council- Review of Investment Plan II
Main Roads- Stakeholder Engagement, Brookton Highway Upgrade
Murdoch University Executive Education Centre- Strategic Planning for Regional Businesses
Curtin University- Farm Business Resilience Project as part of the State and Commonwealth Government Pilot of Drought Reform Measures
Wesfarmers Limited and Curtin University- Corporate History Project
Spotless Group- Preparation of Indigenous Commitment Statement for CEO and board
Our Team
Jaime Phillips
DIRECTOR
Jaime Phillips is a trusted community consultant, who has spent 12 years working with regional and Indigenous communities in Western Australia. Jaime’s direct knowledge and experience of working with remote communities in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions is of value to major development projects. With a wide range of private sector clients, Jaime has provided professional direction and developed strategies to increase quality of life, wellness and economic opportunity for local stakeholders in areas of resource development.
Jaime studied regional and Indigenous history at the University of Western Australia. She held senior stakeholder and community engagement roles at Curtin University of Technology and in the public sector, before founding Palea Project Associates. With experience in academic research roles Jaime has contributed to regional and Indigenous history projects. Jaime holds a CitWA award, Western Australia’s highest honours, an acknowledgement of her successful projects in regional communities.
Jaime’s leadership is recognised by roles on national boards and committees, including the Advertising Standards Board of Australia, the National Advisory Council of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Advisory Committee of the Western Australia Maritime Museum.
Amber Ward
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Amber Ward brings private and public sector experience to her work at Palea Project Associates. Among her diverse achievements, Amber is a partner in a regional business, with experience in managing production systems, strategic planning, decision-making and financial management. With a professional background in education, Amber has held senior leadership positions in large, culturally diverse regional schools. She has designed and delivered professional development modules in areas such as curriculum improvement, mentoring, facilitation and strategic planning.
Amber has extensive experience in Indigenous community liaison and in managing Indigenous trainees and employees. This has equipped Amber for her current work in providing advice to major projects, in order to achieve local economic development outcomes.
Amber contributes to regional communities through her role as a consultant to Curtin University’s Drought Resilience pilot project, and by volunteering in community organisations.
Palea has a team of skilled and passionate community consultants who are able to mobilise to projects as required.
Contact
Jaime@palea.com.au
Amber@palea.com.au
info@palea.com.au
