The Sepik Development Project (SDP) has met the Australian National Contact Point’s (AusNCP) follow-up recommendations on community engagement, with an independent review confirming the project’s compliance with OECD guidelines.
In a statement, the AusNCP reported that its independent examiner was satisfied SDP delivered on recommendations issued in 2023. Those recommendations stemmed from a complaint lodged by Project Sepik and the Jubilee Australia Research Centre and focused on the project’s approach to obtaining Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from affected communities and stakeholders.
The finding concludes an extensive examination of SDP’s engagement activities with Sepik communities and validates the project’s processes against OECD standards.
Sepik Development Project’s Phil McCormack welcomed the outcome, describing it as independent recognition of the project’s approach to stakeholder engagement.
“We are pleased the AusNCP has confirmed our compliance with OECD guidelines in relation to stakeholder engagement on this project,” he said.
“This outcome represents independent recognition of our commitment to transparency and collaboration with Sepik communities.”
He said the project would continue its proactive engagement to ensure communities not only provide informed consent, but are actively involved as the project develops and future benefits are generated for Sepik communities and Papua New Guinea.
McCormack also thanked the AusNCP for its handling of the review, noting its “thorough review process and constructive approach to addressing complex issues”.
The AusNCP finding follows recent regulatory progress for the project. Last month, Papua New Guinea’s Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) granted six environmental permits.
The permits cover the Frieda River Copper-Gold Project, Sepik Power Grid Project, Frieda River Hydroelectric Project, Sepik Infrastructure Project Road, Green River Airport and Vanimo Ocean Port.
