Community Engagement

Maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders is paramount to business success. Brickworks is embedded in local communities where the business operates, with many employees living in the local area. With a reliance on local goods, services, markets and natural resources, developing mutually beneficial relationships helps business and communities.

Brickworks has strong attendance at community forums, such as consultation for development applications and community group meetings. Company representatives maintain strong relationships with legislative and regulatory authorities and are involved with industry groups to promote issues, such as sustainable building products. Brickworks has developed community engagement plans at relevant sites, identifying the socio-political context, community concerns and expectations and when and how to engage. In FY21, we completed 120 community activities, exceeding our target of 100 events. Engagement activities included stakeholder meetings, site visits, investigating and resolving complaints, donations and other forms of support for community members and projects. These events help us strengthen and maintain community relationships.

ENGAGEMENT

100 Community activities each year

Recognition of improved relations

The Glen-Gery Plant in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa was recognised by City Officials for its improvement in operations, communications, and community spirit. Since the acquisition of Sioux City Brick in 2019, the City Administrator, Aaron Lincoln has witnessed, “a heightened level of communication for the needs of the City and Brickyard… and above all an intense dedication to supporting the community.” Mr. Lincoln said, “with Glen-Gery at the helm, the local brickyard has become the business we had hoped. One that is diligent to address environmental concerns, insistent on regular communications and relationships with City staff, and dedicated to improving the local plant and in giving back to the community.”

Search dog training drills

Last year Austral Bricks opened its Punchbowl site to Search Dogs Sydney, NSW a volunteer group who help police and emergency services in the search for missing people. Searches include those missing in the bush, Alzheimer and dementia patients, children, or people trapped following a disaster. We provided a location during a plant shut down to complete training drills with the dogs to search for people. Austral Bricks also sponsored Search Dogs Sydney to paint their car and ute to ensure in emergency situations their vehicle can be clearly identified

Threatened species education at schools

Many public schools in Sydney, NSW do not have access to educational programs covering conservation. The impact of children being able to see and emotionally connect to live animals cannot be underestimated. These experiences not only educate, but inspire children to contribute to conservation now and into the future.

Austral Bricks and Austral Precast sponsored six primary schools (approximately 600 children) to participate in the Feathered Friends educational show. The feedback was incredible, and we look forward to continuing to sponsor similar programs.