Community Development
Community Benefit Framework
From natural wealth to community wellbeing: our proposed framework and advocacy position.
What development should deliver
Eleven areas of lasting benefit
Social and affordable housing
Safe drinking water and sanitation
Solar power and clean energy
Schools, libraries and vocational centres
Clinics, maternity care and health services
Roads, bridges and accessible transport
Local jobs, apprenticeships and graduate pathways
Agriculture, markets and livelihoods
Digital connectivity
Environmental restoration
Recreation, public spaces and cultural heritage
Process
How benefit is delivered
- 1
Listen and assess
- 2
Agree priorities
- 3
Define responsibilities and funding
- 4
Deliver
- 5
Operate and maintain
- 6
Monitor and improve
Principles
Our standards
- Communities participate from the beginning.
- Indigenous and customary rights are respected.
- Community contributions supplement taxes, compensation and existing legal obligations.
- Facilities need staffing, maintenance and operating budgets.
- Agreements should define ownership, procurement, timelines and accountability.
- Funding must never purchase endorsement or influence research findings.
- Public benefit must continue beyond construction and project closure.
This framework is a proposal and an advocacy position. It does not imply that every element is already a legal requirement or a funded commitment.
