Social performance advice for complex energy, mining and infrastructure projects
We help projects secure approvals, manage community risk, and deliver lasting outcomes.
Don’t let the wrong social performance advice stall your project
Timely, high-quality social performance advice can make the difference between a project proceeding or stalling. Yet many clients rely on large firms who give advice that’s slow, generic, expensive, and disrupted by staff changes.
This can leave good projects taking on unnecessary risk, losing trust, and facing delays.
We are senior advisers focused on approvals, risks, and real-world outcomes
With SPP you’ll work with senior advisers who:
Remain responsible for your project from start to finish
Provide fast, responsive delivery without internal approval bottlenecks
Give independent, honest advice that challenges assumptions when it matters
Maintain project continuity and retained institutional knowledge
Our Services
Social Performance Management Systems
Manage social risk consistently and credibly across your asset base through corporate, portfolio and project-level social performance systems.
We design and review social performance frameworks, governance arrangements and project-level management plans so they work together and stand up to regulatory, lender and community scrutiny.
Includes:
- Corporate and organisational social performance frameworks
- Portfolio-wide social risk and governance models
- Social Impact Management Plans (SIMPs) and supporting procedures
- Stakeholder engagement and grievance systems
Social Baseline, Research & Due Diligence
Inform your early-stage decisions, investment, and risk management with targeted social research.
We develop community profiles, needs assessments, social risk screening, and independent due diligence for developers, investors and regulators.
Includes:
- Community profiles and social baselines
- Community needs and capacity assessments
- Social risk screening for acquisitions, investments, and project options
- Desktop and field-based social due diligence
Social Impact Assessment (SIA) & Approvals
Get clear, defensible SIAs prepared in line with state and federal guidelines and relevant international frameworks.
We support approvals, project design and cumulative impact assessment across development, operations and closure.
Includes:
- Statutory SIAs (State & Federal)
- Proponent-initiated SIAs (operations, closure, expansion)
- Cumulative impact assessment
- Options analysis and early-phase social constraints screening
- Peer review of SIAs for regulators or proponents
Social Performance Assurance, Audit & Compliance
Test social performance commitments and compliance with independent reviews and advisory support.
We offer a range of reviews and advisory support.
Including:
- GISTM alignment
- Aluminium Stewardship Initiative accreditation
- Lender and regulator assurance
- Closure readiness reviews
- Gap analysis against corporate, ESG and international standards.
Workforce & Regional Social Planning
Manage workforce, housing and regional social impacts, particularly in regional and remote settings.
We focus on housing, services, workforce movement, skills development and cumulative pressures on local communities.
Includes:
- Workforce accommodation strategies
- Housing and services impact assessments
- FIFO/DIDO workforce planning
- Regional and cumulative workforce analysis
The Social Performance Partners team brings project experience spanning multiple sectors and disciplines across Australia
Sectors:
- Energy (Generation Storage & Networks)
- Mining & Resources (Operations Tailings & Closure)
- Water Utilities & Public Infrastructure
Sectors:
- Energy (Generation Storage & Networks)
- Mining & Resources (Operations Tailings & Closure)
- Water Utilities & Public Infrastructure
Sectors:
- Energy (Generation Storage & Networks)
- Mining & Resources Operations Tailings & Closure)
- Transport & Linear Infrastructure
- Urban Development & Social Infrastructure
Sectors:
- Energy (Generation Storage & Networks)
- Mining & Resources (Operations Tailings & Closure)
- Transport & Linear Infrastructure
- Urban Development & Social Infrastructure
- Water Utilities & Public Infrastructure
Sectors:
- Energy (Generation Storage & Networks)
- Mining & Resources (Operations Tailings & Closure)
- Water Utilities & Public Infrastructure
Our team
Roland Short
Roland is a senior social performance specialist trusted on some of Australia’s most significant mining, energy and infrastructure projects. He is known for clear, direct advice and a willingness to challenge assumptions when approvals, community trust and delivery are on the line. Roland is passionate about improving economic and social outcomes in the regional and remote communities where many major projects operate.
Caitlin Treacy
Caitlin is an anthropologist specialising in social performance, First Nations engagement and cultural heritage on major mining, energy and infrastructure projects. She is known for building respectful, productive working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations, native title holders and impacted communities, particularly in complex approval environments.
Our partners
We work with a network of specialists in Aboriginal economic development, First Nations engagement, economics and regional development.
How we work with you
Working with SPP typically follows these steps:
Step 1: Initial conversation
You speak directly with a senior specialist to discuss your project, timing, what’s at stake, and whether we’re the right fit.
Step 2: Proposal development
You receive a proposal that sets out scope, fees, deliverables, and timing.
Step 3: Confirm engagement
We finalise a contract or purchase order so work can begin.
Step 4: Project commencement
Your project is delivered by the same senior advisers you engaged, supported by project management tools that give you visibility of deliverables and spending.
Step 1: Initial conversation
You speak directly with a senior specialist to discuss your project, timing, what’s at stake, and whether we’re the right fit.
Step 2: Proposal development
You receive a proposal that sets out scope, fees, deliverables, and timing.
Step 3: Confirm engagement
We finalise a contract or purchase order so work can begin.
Step 4: Project commencement
Your project is delivered by the same senior advisers you engaged, supported by project management tools that give you visibility of deliverables and spending.
Projects typically commence within 1–8 weeks, depending on client governance requirements. We offer flexible commercial structures to suit different projects.
Learn more about how SPP can help your project
If you’d like more information about Social Performance Partners and how we work with energy, mining and infrastructure projects, you can request it below.