Working out of the New South Wales Hunter Valley, many of Coal & Allied’s operations are located in or near regional Aboriginal communities and on Monday the company announced the formation of a new group to oversee funding for community projects.

The Aboriginal Development Consultative Committee (ADCC) will manage the $500,000 of funding provided by Coal & Allied each year for community projects in the Upper Hunter Valley Aboriginal community.

Coal & Allied communications and sustainable development general manager Fiona Nicholls said the funding program would contribute to a strong and sustainable Aboriginal community in the region.

“The ADCC’s objective is to provide funds to community-identified and driven projects that will assist in achieving the Aboriginal community’s ‘Vision for the Future’,” Nicholls said.

“The vision’s essence is to achieve equivalent access and outcomes in education, training, employment and economic participation that is enjoyed by the wider community while retaining the unique heritage and traditions of the Upper Hunter Aboriginal community.”

Members of the Aboriginal community are invited to apply for project funding to address an area of need or create opportunities for the community in the areas of:

Education;

Training and employment;

Aboriginal business development; and

Heritage and culture preservation.

The ADCC, comprising four representatives of the Aboriginal community, two representatives of Coal & Allied and an independent chairperson, supported by an executive officer, will assess the applications from the community and allocate funding.

“The ADCC is another component of Coal & Allied’s broader engagement with the community of the Hunter Valley,” Nicholls said.

“We look forward to working with the Aboriginal community to deliver long-lasting, sustainable benefits to the community.”