Project Type: Issues Management.

Timeframe: November 2006-November 2007.

Brief Project Description: Development of a strategic communication plan to manage the incursion of sugarcane smut.

What the client said:

BSES first made contact with STA in August 2006 after a major disease threat to the sugarcane industry was confirmed.

The incursion of sugarcane smut had the potential for a significant economic impact on the $2 billion Australian sugarcane industry, and communications would need to be handled strategically.

As the leading provider of research, development and extension services to the Australian sugarcane industry, it was BSES’ job to communicate with key stakeholders about the disease, and how to minimise its impact.

STA established a strategic communication framework to manage all communication activities, and then assisted BSES to roll out communication initiatives including:

The framework underpinned the delivery of all communications initiatives and was based on soundings and information gathered across the state, including running workshops to identify issues, and travelling to growing regions to meet with growers, representatives from peak grower bodies, government authorities and BSES staff.

“STA have always been accessible and responsive, providing necessary material under extremely tight timeframes.”

“STA’s strategic advice to us on how to maintain a proactive level of preparedness across a range of communication issues, as well as how to react appropriately to the unforeseeable, has been invaluable.”