Sphere No.46 (Mar 2019)

Sphere #46 2019 18 First nations, first choice Working with the local Aboriginal population was also key to securing community support – and top-quality workers. There was a smoking ceremony with local leaders where Beon was welcomed to the historical lands of the Aboriginal peoples. When the project was at maximum staffing of around 100 people on site, the fully employed workforce included 25 Aboriginal employees, or 25% of the total. The rest of the community was not neglected. Beon participated in local events like the Hughenden Agricultural Show, a local 135-year-old institution. In addition to explaining and promoting the project and recruiting staff, it gave away the hit toy of the summer, the fidget spinner, to local kids. Local business boom In addition to the 60 locals employed on the project, Beon also committed to sourcing from local businesses. The need for some imported labour saw them build camps on the local showgrounds, contributing to the local economy. Sometimes the volume of work proved challenging to local businesses and Beon did what it could to accommodate smaller operations. For example, the local catering supplier struggled to maintain food supplies for such a large workforce when normal payment terms stretched out to 30 days or more. Beon worked with the supplier to shorten the payment schedule to seven days, and to dramatically improve the diet for their hard-working labour force. Small project, big impact The 20 MW project installed 68,000 solar panels, enough to power 6,500 homes. Beon’s solar power lights up lives >> Many people hadn’t finished high school and some couldn’t even complete a form to apply for a job. Beon worked with a local organisation, Rainbow Gateway, which helped people with limited reading and writing skills to complete the forms. It also trained them in basic construction skills so they could perform entry level construction. The work was tough – 10-hour outdoor shifts, sometimes in 40°C weather – but the employees took to it with ardour. Many received on-the-job training in construction and sometimes machinery skills, including crane driving. Risk assessment and safety training was also key to keeping staff safe. Some were able to get the training and hours necessary to become licensed so they could go on to work in other locations. Many long-term unemployed found themselves back at work with all the benefits that implied for the community. Beon embraces the Hughenden spirit and heritage by joining the 135-year-old Hughenden Agricultural Show.