Social Responsibility
Our regional workforce is the cornerstone of our business. Our
operations depend on the strength and diversity of our people and
the relationships and synergies developed within local
communities.
In many instances our futures are mutually dependent and we
embrace our resulting leadership responsibilities.
Community: Our Maryvale CFA Fire Brigade is
located at our Maryvale Mill and actively engages in combating
fires in our local area. The Brigade regularly attends call outs in
the local area and in 2009 helped fight the Black Saturday
Bushfires.
Australian Paper takes Safety very seriously; not just within
our own operations, but also in the local community. As part of the
"KIDS Foundation - Safety School Club" www.kidsfoundation.org.au our OH & Safety
Team visited schools in our local area to help educate school
children in the need for safety at home , school and the
community.
Opportunities for youth employment provided by Australian Paper
help young people stay close to their family, friends and
communities. In 2010, Australian Paper helps 22 apprentices from
regional areas learn new skills and gain professional
qualifications in a wide range of trades.
Doxa Youth Foundation creates opportunities for disadvantaged
young people. Australian Paper helps the Doxa Cadetship Program
assist young people to effectively navigate their courses and
complete their tertiary studies. Operating for 18 years, the Doxa
Cadetship Program links students from disadvantaged backgrounds
with Australian Paper. Our sponsorship provides eight weeks work
experience, financial support and a mentor who oversees the cadet's
development within the company.
Community engagement is key to developing successful
partnerships with the communities we operate in. At both of our
mills we have established Community Consultative Committees. These
groups provide us with an opportunity for open and effective
exchange with our local communities At Maryvale we also have a
Community Environmental Consultative Committee and an Environment
Improvement Plan has been in place since 1994.
Economic Returns: Australian Paper employs over
1,400 Australians, 1,200 of these are in regional areas. Australian
Bureau of Statistics calculations show that our operations have a
multiplier effect of 1:5+, giving flow-on employment to 9,500
regional Australians. Over 68 Australian companies (10+ employees
in size) rely on Australian Paper as the principal customer of
their respective goods and services.
Our mills are also estimated to make a combined contribution to
household consumption in the regions in which we operate that
exceeds $200 million annually. Regional Gross Domestic Product is
estimated to be in excess of $260 million annually.
Annually, we support in excess of 135 regional charities and
community groups through gifts, donations, training and mentoring
programs.
