Avonbank CCRG
WIM Resource Pty Ltd (WIM) is establishing a significant, strategic, long-term Community Benefits Fund and Support Program that will ramp up as the Avonbank Mine progresses from development to operations. To ensure local voices help shape the delivery of long-term Community Benefits for the Wimmera and Southern Mallee communities, the Avonbank Community & Coexistence Reference Group (CCRG) is being established. Read the CCRG Summary to learn more.
EOI Closes: Monday, 3rd August 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
WIM is establishing the CCRG to support the delivery of community benefits associated with the Avonbank Mine.
The group will help WIM hear community perspectives on local priorities, community investment opportunities, proposed initiatives, engagement activities and emerging concerns or opportunities.
It is one mechanism to support more structured community input, clearer communication and reporting back as the Project progresses.
The CCRG will not replace direct engagement with landholders, Traditional Owners, councils, community organisations, businesses or residents.
It is intended to sit alongside WIM’s existing engagement and provide an additional structured forum for community benefit, communication and engagement matters.
Property-specific matters, landholder negotiations, regulatory matters, and individual stakeholder concerns will continue to be managed through the appropriate direct channels. Community members can visit our Community Information Hub at 83 Firebrace Street Horsham to meet with a member of our community team to ask questions, make suggestions, and learn more about the Avonbank Mine.
The CCRG will:
- provide input into the design and delivery of the Community Support Program;
- provide recommendations to WIM Resource on community investment priorities;
- help test whether proposed initiatives reflect community needs;
- provide feedback on WIM’s communication materials and engagement activities;
- help identify emerging community concerns, suggestions and opportunities;
- promote understanding of the Project lifecycle, including construction, operations, rehabilitation and closure; and
- support structured discussion between WIM and a cross-section of community representatives.
The CCRG is advisory. It will not have decision-making authority over the Avonbank Project, WIM’s operations, investments or commercial decisions.
Its role is to provide advice, recommendations and feedback to WIM, particularly in relation to community benefits, community investment priorities, engagement activities and project communication.
No. The mining licence process is a statutory process managed by the regulator. The CCRG will not replace, duplicate or determine that process. It is an advisory group established to support community benefit planning, communication and engagement as the Project progresses.
WIM is seeking Expressions of Interest from people and organisations who can contribute constructively to discussion about community benefits, engagement, coexistence and local priorities.
WIM is currently seeking membership from community members, and you can lodge an expression of interest (EOI) to join the CCRG by clicking HERE or by visiting Avonbank CCRG Page.
Membership is proposed to include representatives from:
- community members;
- education and youth;
- community organisations and service groups;
- local business, training and industry;
- environmental and natural resource management groups;
- local government;
- state government economic development;
- Traditional Owners;
- directly affected landholders and neighbouring property owners; and
- WIM Resource.
No. WIM is seeking people with local knowledge, community connection, relevant experience and a willingness to participate constructively and respectfully. Experience in community organisations may be helpful, but it is not required.
Members may be appointed through public Expressions of Interest, direct invitations to key stakeholder groups, and recommendations from community organisations.
Applications will be assessed using criteria including local knowledge, connection to the Wimmera Southern Mallee region, ability to represent broader community interests, willingness to participate constructively, relevant experience, and diversity of representation across the group.
Appointments for members of the public will be finalised through a selection panel process.
The CCRG is expected to meet quarterly, with additional meetings during establishment and at key project stages if required.
Membership is voluntary. However, reasonable expenses such as travel or childcare may be reimbursed to support participation, up to $500 per meeting.
The CCRG will have an independent Chair to support balanced, impartial and constructive discussion.
The Chair will facilitate meetings, approve agendas and meeting summaries, and help ensure respectful, inclusive and solutions-focused discussion. We anticipate the Independent Chair will be paid at industry-standard rates commensurate with their experience.
Community benefits are central to the purpose of the CCRG. WIM has committed to establishing the Avonbank Community Support Program, underpinned by a long-term Community Benefits Fund, which will be announced later in 2026.
The CCRG is being established to help provide community input into the design and delivery of the Community Support Program and to provide recommendations on community investment priorities.
The group is being established so local voices can help inform community benefit priorities, test whether proposed initiatives reflect community needs, and provide advice on how community investment can deliver meaningful local benefit.
The CCRG will help guide how future community benefit funding is considered.
Its role will be to bring local knowledge, community perspectives and practical advice into discussions about community benefit priorities. This may include identifying local needs and opportunities, advising on potential initiatives, and helping WIM understand where funding could deliver meaningful local benefit.
While the CCRG will play an important advisory role, final decisions will remain subject to WIM’s governance, decision-making and accountability processes.
Further details about WIM’s future community benefit approach will be released at a later stage.
The CCRG will help inform that process by providing local knowledge, community perspectives and recommendations on community investment priorities.
WIM is establishing the CCRG now to support structured community input, community benefit planning and clearer communication as the Project progresses.
The CCRG will help WIM prepare for future project stages by providing a forum for local perspectives on community benefits, engagement activities, communication materials and emerging concerns or opportunities.
The CCRG does not replace or influence the mining licence process.
It is being established as part of WIM’s approach to community benefit planning, communication and engagement as the Project progresses.
WIM respects the regulatory process. At the same time, WIM has a responsibility to plan ahead. If the Project licence is approved, the CCRG will assist WIM with its engagement with the community to support local participation and deliver significant long term community benefits.