One year on – Resources Victoria’s community contact in the Wimmera Mallee

Local conversations are a key part of Resources Victoria’s approach to community engagement and Paul McDonald has now been on the ground for over a year, which makes it a great time to reflect on the role and what he has heard during a busy period.

Local conversations are a key part of Resources Victoria’s approach to community engagement and Paul McDonald has now been on the ground for over a year, which makes it a great time to reflect on the role and what he has heard during a busy period.

Since his appointment as the local engagement advisor in mid-2025, Paul has been listening to people and helping them to better understand local mining developments. His presence is designed to build trust, improve access to information and ensure community concerns are heard.

Paul is a respected geoscientist and former head of the Geological Survey of Victoria and the earth resources regulator. He has worked on a range projects and has great insight into how discoveries are made and mining is regulated.

Living on a farm in the western districts, he has a unique insight into exploration and mining along with a strong appreciation of farming and local community values.

Paul regularly meets with people one-on-one to hear their views and answer their questions about exploration and mining in the region.

During the past year, Paul heard from farmers who are apprehensive about how soil productivity would be reliably restored after mining. This insight led the Resources Victoria team to drive the formation of the Mineral Sands Agricultural Land Restoration Working Group.

Meeting monthly, the group brings together farmers, agricultural experts and the industry to address concerns about mining’s impact on farmland. Its broad membership is ensuring robust, practical and regionally relevant advice is provided to Resources Victoria.

Paul’s genuine engagement approach is about transparency, building trust and ensuring mining can and will coexist alongside farming. As several projects progress toward mining over the coming years, Paul will continue to be a reliable and local source of information.

Paul can be contacted by email, resources@deeca.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Paul McDonald, Principal Community Engagement Advisor

“When I stepped into this role, my aim was to be accessible for conversations about potential mining in the Wimmera and Mallee — the discussions that followed have been open and honest.”

“It has been productive visiting towns across the northwest, from Swan Hill to Boort to Hamilton, meeting with landholders, community members and stakeholders.”

“Mining has been part of the Wimmera and Mallee, it’s great to be part of a more community centric approach to support the next generation of development.”