2405 Case Study: VR Enabled Consent and Engagement on Wik Waya Land In Queensland, Australia, the expansion of a bauxite mine on Wik Waya land underscored the importance of gaining consent from the Traditional Owners as a pivotal step for project progression. To facilitate understanding and informed decision making, 3D renderings of engineering drawings were presented in a VR context. This technological approach allowed Traditional Owners to virtually "walk" on Country and observe, in real time, the anticipated changes to their landscape before any physical work began. The VR tool proved invaluable by ensuring inclusivity: it was accessible to all members of the Traditional Owner group, regardless of language, mobility, gender, or age. This inclusivity fostered a comprehensive engagement process, so that every voice could participate and contribute meaningfully to the consent process. From a project perspective, the VR engagement supported earlier shared understanding of land disturbance extent and sequencing, informing consent discussions prior to detailed design finalisation. Additionally, Elders were able to perform cultural practices within the VR environment, including calling out to their ancestors. This act served to affirm that the work was proceeding with full consent and invoked protection for those involved in the project, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual connections to the land that guided the engagement process. Image 2: Wik Waya Elder uses the virtual reality tool to visualize changes to the landscape ahead of construction activity.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0Mzk2