A MEPAU staff member has again been awarded in the annual In.site Photographic Competition run by APPEA’s Brighter initiative.

The image ‘Finding a Happy Spot’, taken by Martin Heller, Principal Advisor – Environment & Regulatory Approvals – Projects, won the Community Category.

The image features landowners, contractors and MEPAU staff talking in a paddock at Irwin Park Farm, which is the main property hosting MEPAU’s Waitsia Gas Project. Leroy the Australian kelpie reclines in the centre of the photo.

Brad Kupsch, Kupsch Farming and Irwin Park Farm lessee, calls Leroy, ‘the Irwin Park Livestock Relocation Logistics Coordinator’. He says Leroy is a bit of a show-pony, which explains why he was looking directly at the camera whereas nobody else realised a photo was being taken.

Brad says MEPAU is very good at engaging early with landowners about potential impacts on agricultural production. He says that in this photo, MEPAU staff and contractors were discussing future drilling plans with Brad and his father Peter Kupsch, both at right of the photo.

He says this consultation process means both MEPAU and Irwin Park Farm can regularly plan to fit their activities around each other.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service received a $5,000 donation from APPEA as part of the photography competition.

Entries from across the nation were submitted, which can be seen on the In.Site Photographic Award Gallery.

Last year, a MEPAU geologist won the People category of the inaugural competition.