Sealing the Great Central Road, which forms part of the Outback Way project, is a once‑in‑a‑generation investment that will change movement, access and interaction across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands.

To understand the potential positive and negative social impacts of the project, a social impact assessment (SIA) was recently undertaken. 

Delivered in partnership by the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC) and Ngaanyatjarra Council Group, and supported with funding from the GEDC and Main Roads Western Australia, the SIA provides a structured pathway for identifying, prioritising and responding to road‑related social impacts.

Impacts were identified through stakeholder consultation and an independent assessment undertaken by Nous Group and rated on likelihood of occurrence and consequence of impact. 

The SIA identifies 33 social impacts, spanning both the construction phase and operations once the road is sealed. Positive impacts include: 

• on-Country employment and skill development for Ngaanyatjarra people
• improved road safety outcomes from sealed road conditions 
• increased mobility that reduces isolation and strengthens connection between communities and regional centres 

Negative impacts include: 

• increased enforcement and compliance leading to fines, licence loss and incarceration, ultimately reducing mobility for some community members 
• increased access to alcohol and other drugs (AOD), leading to a range of serious flow‑on impacts 
• inappropriate visitor access to Country, including off‑track travel, camping and visitation of sacred or restricted sites 
• increased pressure, reliance and expectation on the Ngaanyatjarra Council to support construction engagement and realise benefits for the community  

The SIA recommends a range of actions which will be used to inform the State Government’s response. Coordination of the response is being delivered by the Outback Way Inter-agency Working Group, chaired by GEDC CEO, Kris Starcevich (pictured), whose close collaboration with Council is acknowledged.

Council will continue to collaborate with the State Government to leverage the Outback Way project to ensure that the benefits of this project are optimised, and potential impacts are mitigated through positive socio-economic development actions, early interventions and support of Council’s role.

*The SIA is available on Council’s website here.