Meet our stakeholder engagement teams
Our stakeholder teams are your link to understanding our three southern NSW projects. Meet the locally based teams supporting our Illabo to Stockinbingal project.
December 10, 2020
Meet Grant Johnson and Jessica Jackson
Our stakeholder engagement team for the Illabo to Stockinbingal project is the community’s direct link to understanding the work we are doing, providing feedback on our plans and progress, and most importantly giving us insight into how Inland Rail will become part of the landscape and business sector in the region.
Meet our two new team members who are based in the Wagga Wagga ARTC (Australian Rail Track Corporation) office: Grant Johnson and Jessica Jackson.
Grant, tell us a bit about your professional background.
Some of you may know me as Junee Shire Council’s Director of Community and Business, where I have been for the past four years.
But my experience crosses the private and public sectors in some diverse areas including chemical manufacturing and analysis, property and facilities management, and airport and saleyard management. In these roles I undertook operational management and strategic master planning activities. I also have a history with the Riverina Intermodal Freight & Logistics Hub in Bomen and it is really rewarding to see the development now occurring.
Why did you decide to join Inland Rail?
It was the excitement of working within a team on a major infrastructure project and the inevitable planning, problem solving and engagement activity.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of working on this project?
Forming and nurturing new relationships with stakeholders.
What can the community expect to see in coming months?
More tangible detail on the alignment through the progress of the reference design and more information for stakeholders and the project team to consider regarding impacts and mitigation. Environmental studies are continuing right now and into the new year.
What do you like doing in your time off?
I fly gliders (sailplanes) in my spare time and challenge myself with cross country flying during the hotter months of the year.
Jessica, tell us a bit about your professional background.
Since graduating with a double degree in Marine and Environmental Science, I have been working as an environmental consultant with pitt&sherry gaining intensive experience in planning approval pathways including environmental impact statements and review of environmental factors.
However, some of you may have met me some time ago when I was seconded to the Albury to Illabo project’s stakeholder engagement team.
Why did you decide to join Inland Rail?
I have always enjoyed working face to face with people, having meaningful conversations. Being part of the stakeholder engagement team, I get to travel my local region and engage with community and other stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds.
How is the project coming along?
Illabo to Stockinbingal is progressing well in the reference design phase and environmental approvals. We have just completed hydrology and private access engagement with landowners and key stakeholders and are now preparing for further environmental investigations, reference design and hydrology consultation.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of working on this project?
I enjoy working together with community and landowners to achieve suitable outcomes.
What do you like doing in your time off?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends, whether it be at the beach or sitting around playing board games and chatting over drinks. I also enjoy watching movies and hanging out with my dog Roxy.
Photo caption: Grant and Jessica settling into the Wagga Wagga office.
