Corporate minerals and community development dilemma in the Surat Resource Region, Australia: Implications for resource development planning

While the idea that agricultural farmlands and natural resources exploration can co-exist is rhetorically sound, emerged and rising realities question this claim. Past studies, particularly ones taking a corporate-community relation stance, have largely explored these emerging realities. This paper contributes an alternate perspective to the debate by presenting a procedural viewpoint on the subject in the light of empirical highlights. The Surat Resource Region in Queensland, Australia, which is noted for its rich agricultural farmlands and natural resources endowment, is considered an appropriate case region for the study. Both quantitative and qualitative empirical findings show that empowerment, cultural adhocracy, and value-led partnership are the missing procedural elements that need to be enforced and incorporated into resource development planning strategies. The study offers a strategy framework for integrative resource development planning research, whose policy and practical application are promising. Study findings aim to increase the robustness of resource development strategies through enhanced understanding of the planning and management processes.