As a critical mineral in the global shift to green energy, vanadium plays a key role in grid-scale energy storage and high-strength steel production. Its importance continues to rise due to its use in redox flow batteries, which enable the long-duration storage of renewable energy, and growing global demand—particularly in China, where building standards require higher vanadium content in structural steel.

Our role was to evaluate how this large-scale resource project would affect nearby communities, traditional owners, stakeholders, and the broader region. This involved:

• Identifying both positive and negative social impacts associated with the development.
• Designing mitigation and enhancement measures aligned with local community values.
• Ensuring inclusive and respectful engagement with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal stakeholders.
• Highlighting opportunities for local employment, training, and economic development.

The SIA recognised that while the project brings substantial benefits—including job creation, regional investment, and global environmental contribution—it also poses potential social challenges. These included managing population influx, housing pressures, and ensuring culturally appropriate engagement. Wall Planning Group recommended:

• A proactive stakeholder engagement strategy to build trust and maintain open communication. 
• Investment in local training programs to boost community employment opportunities.
• Measures to ensure affordable housing access and avoid social displacement.
• Culturally sensitive practices and continued engagement with Traditional Owners throughout the project lifecycle.

The Social Impact Assessment enabled Multicom Resources to present a balanced, community informed narrative in their development application. It also provided regulatory authorities with a clear understanding of the project’s social context and planned mitigation strategies.

This case study demonstrates Wall Planning Group’s capability in navigating the unique dynamics of emerging industries. Our proactive and inclusive approach helped align project objectives with community wellbeing—ensuring a more resilient and responsible path forward for renewable resource development in Queensland.

Our involvement in this vanadium project showcases our commitment to leading practice in social impact assessment, community engagement, and future-focused planning.