In September 2018, BHP entered into a three-year partnership with independent economic development organisation GW3, to support collaborative efforts to progress the Greater Whitsunday region’s development priorities and initiatives.

The scope of the partnership is two-fold and includes enhancing GW3’s capacity to effectively advocate, engage and promote the region, and to deliver several priority projects that will have a direct and positive impact on the region’s future.

A thriving region is critical for the long-term interests of communities and business and GW3 is dedicated to accelerating economic growth in the Mackay–Isaac–Whitsunday region.

GW3’s Development and Innovation Manager, Kylie Porter, said: “The GW3–BHP partnership is tackling some of the big issues facing the region, such as the transformation being experienced by traditional industries through changes in technology and digitisation, and how we collectively manage water more responsibly and sustainably into the future. Our aim is to develop strategies that will deliver long-term beneficial outcomes for our community.”

BHP is contributing funds, skills and expertise to the partnership to address a broad range of regional challenges.

BHP Community Specialist, Amanda Walker, said: “We know efforts to address societal challenges are most effective when they are done in partnership with others, and that’s what BHP’s partnership with GW3 is about: working together with community, industry and government to build authentic and reciprocal partnerships that contribute to a thriving regional economy. This partnership enables us to bring our skills and expertise as part of a collective approach to enhancing regional prosperity.”