A Word from The Boss

Energy Transition, Align to Secure

Welcome to our Autumn newsletter for 2025!

In this edition, we are thrilled to share in New Zealand First Gas asset protection uplift client success story, Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) mobile data management rollout for their day-to-day Lands Management Activities in Western Australia, articles on Navigating the Complexities of Renewables Projects in relation to Stakeholder Management, The Power of Clean Data, Security update, present another X-InFocus tech tip, and update of our teams’ Kamapim continuous improvement activities in connecting people with information.

It has been an nerve wrecking start to 2025 with the recent Tropical Cyclone Alfred in South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales significantly disrupting the wider Community. It is amazing to acknowledge the incredible efforts of the various affected Power and Water Utilities and Councils in their restoration efforts. I am happy to report our Brisbane office has resumed normal operations, with some sizable projects successfully delivered.

Our Kamapim continuous improvement process carries on with this year’s focus on the theme of the three C’s (Communicate, Collaborate, Change). We’re also attending numerous APGA events across several states (so good to be able to see people in person) including our sustained sponsorship of the New Zealand Seminar, Golf Day and Dinner in New Plymouth since its inception in 2017. Our Services Delivery Manager, Adam Herbert and Ross Larson from APA jointly presenting at the Adelaide Pipeline Operators Group (POG) Seminar earlier this month. Our digital Transformation Stage – “Race to Align” – the Next Generation of X-Info suite, with our AWS Platform, continues positioning us with the most up-to date secure, resilient and efficient platform for our hosted Client’s solutions.

From all the team at Mipela GeoSolutions, stay safe!

Hayden McDonald
Founder and Managing Director

AGIG – Enhancing Landowner and Stakeholder Engagement

Recognising the critical importance of efficient landowner and stakeholder engagement for maintaining compliance, ensuring transparency, and improving decision-making, AGIG and its subsidiaries, including Dampier Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) in Western Australia, have proactively implemented several of Mipela’s cloud-hosted solutions to streamline their engagement and data management processes from the office to the field.  These include:

• X-Info Assurance suite automated BYD response system and Third Party Works
• X-Info Land management
• X-Info Safety Management Studies
• GIS.

Recently, Mipela rolled out its mobile data capture app, X-Info Aware, to simplify landowner and stakeholder engagement while ensuring the technical assurance of field-collected data. The initial focus was Landowner and Occupier Visits, providing instant access to critical information such as contact details, addresses, maps, notes, and history, including the ability to assign tasks, with automated email follow-up. By implementing the use of X-Info Aware, DBNGP have significantly improved the management of remote field tasks by allowing our field personnel to collect spatial and textual data on-site using their smartphones or iPads. This eliminates the need for outdated collection methods, saves time, and reduces the risk of errors. The app’s real-time capabilities enable efficient task assignment and operation, ensuring our field staff have the most current information to carry out their duties effectively. Data is automatically synchronised (when in comms range) both ways between the hosted service and the mobile device(s). Additionally, users leverage NearMap’s high-quality aerial imagery while using X-Info Aware, significantly enhancing geospatial accuracy and on-site decision-making. The improved speed of data processing, including georeferenced photographs in the field with markup capability, marks a substantial leap forward from previous manual and paper-based workflows.

As part of AGIG’s commitment to refining its operational efficiency, both DBNGP and Mipela are dedicated to exploring further enhancements to X-Info Aware, ensuring even greater usability and impact in the field. This ongoing collaboration demonstrates AGIG’s drive to continuously improve their landowner and stakeholder engagement processes.

Written by Karen Thompson

The Power of Real Time Data in the Energy and Infrastructure sector

In an industry where efficiency and timely decision-making can be critical, real-time data sharing has become a game-changer. The ability to capture and instantly transmit information from the field to the office is transforming how our clients operate.

Using Mipela’s mobile data capture app, X-Info Aware, workers can capture information on-site—whether it’s landowner liaison, vegetation management, asset audits or any other field task. With designated workflows and predefined tasks available on their mobile devices, users can easily collect and update information, take photos that are geotagged, and even use voice-to-text to capture site inspection or reporting details. The data is captured once and can be then used immediately once it hits the cloud hosted server by other users. Additional workflows and automated reporting can then utilise this data, as required.

One of the key advantages of X-Info Aware is task assignment. Users can delegate tasks to colleagues, ensuring smooth coordination across teams. Once the fieldwork is completed, all captured data is instantly sent to the relevant person’s X-Info Connect or X-Info WebConnect for review, assessment, or action. This seamless transition of information eliminates communication delays, enhances internal engagement, and strengthens collaboration with stakeholders.

By reducing the lag between fieldwork and office-based decision-making, real-time data sharing leads to greater operational efficiency, improved compliance, and enhanced stakeholder engagement. In a sector where every second can count, embracing solutions like X-Info Aware is not just an advantage, it’s step forward in delivering timely outcomes to teams, shareholders, and the public.

Written by Jacqueline Button

Kamapim Update: An Unforgettable start to the year with Korrin Barrett

Our opening Kamapim session for 2025, was the privilege of hearing from Korrin Barrett, a keynote speaker whose extraordinary story of survival and resilience left us all deeply moved and inspired. Speaking to our staff, Korrin took us on a journey through one of the most challenging experiences a person could face—one that tested her strength, determination, and ability to rebuild her life.

In 2012, Korrin, then a vibrant and healthy 33-year-old living in Queensland, was rushed to the hospital due to complications arising from the mismanagement of a medical condition. An undetected bowel perforation led to emergency surgery, followed by multiple organ failure and sepsis. Doctors placed her in an induced coma, giving her only a 5% chance of survival. Against all odds, nine days later, Korrin miraculously woke up to devastating news—both her legs and hands had to be amputated to save her life.

What followed was a long and arduous journey of more than 25 surgeries, months of rehabilitation, and the daunting process of adjusting to life as a quadruple amputee. However, Korrin refused to let her circumstances define her. With remarkable determination, she returned to work on one of Australia’s largest gas pipeline projects—finding purpose, self-worth, and a renewed sense of drive.

Now based in New Zealand, Korrin shares her story with audiences worldwide, using honesty, humor, and heart to inspire others. Her message is clear: resilience is within all of us, and no matter what challenges life throws our way, we have the power to rise above them.

Our Kamapim session with Korrin was nothing short of unforgettable. Her words resonated with every person in the room, reminding us of the strength of the human spirit. For those of us working in the energy and infrastructure sector, where resilience and adaptability are key, her story served as a powerful reminder of what is possible when we refuse to give up.

If you ever have the chance to hear Korrin Barrett speak, take it. She is a true testament to perseverance, and her story is one that will stay with us for years to come.

Written by Jacqueline Button

Assurance from a Telco’s perspective

Over the past 12 years, Mipela has provided asset protection for one of Australia’s largest telecommunications companies’ underground assets with X-Info Assurance suite (previously called X-Info DBYD suite).

In the past eighteen months, this telco has moved to Mipela’s fully managed, cloud hosted environment and as a result have seen significant increase in system performance. In addition, the responsibility of maintaining the server environment is now also managed by Mipela, freeing up IT resources and capital investment in hardware.

Monthly reporting has demonstrated increases in response times, moving this telco to some of the fastest response times in the country.

Now that the telco has migrated to Mipela’s new AWS cloud hosted platform, the level of assurance Mipela is offering them has also significantly improved to strengthen the security and resilience of its critical infrastructure proactively against cyber security risks.

Written by Karen Thompson

Navigating the Complexities of Renewables Projects: A Smarter Approach to Stakeholder Management

Launching a new renewable energy project – or any major project – can feel like navigating an unpredictable journey. Regulatory landscapes shift, project constraints evolve, and new challenges emerge at every turn. Yet, one constant remains: successful projects hinge on effective stakeholder management.

Capturing stakeholder interactions early in the process and turning that data into actionable insights is critical. But here’s the challenge: most stakeholder management systems either overwhelm you with unnecessary features from the start or lack the flexibility to grow with your project. That’s where having the right tools – and the right approach – makes all the difference.

Start Simple, Scale Smart

In the early stages of a project, your priority is straightforward: gather as much stakeholder data as possible. You don’t need all the bells and whistles yet; you just need a solid foundation. A good stakeholder management system should offer the basics to get you started, with the flexibility to evolve as your project matures.

At each stage – whether you’re securing feasibility approvals, negotiating land agreements, or managing community engagement – a tailored approach to stakeholder data becomes essential. For example:

• During land negotiations, you’ll need robust tools for agreement, obligation and payment management
• Community engagement efforts will require efficient systems to track interactions, manage complaints, and facilitate grants or employment opportunities for impacted communities
• And then there’s the challenge of overlapping roles: John Smith, the landowner, might also lead a local community group. Your system needs to seamlessly organise and report on interactions based on these different roles.

Leveraging Proven Expertise

With nearly three decades of experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors, Mipela understands these challenges. X-Info Stakeholder Management solution is designed to support projects at every stage of their lifecycle. From capturing early-stage interactions to managing complex landowner and regulatory requirements, X-Info Stakeholder Management is designed to align with stakeholder management best practice, whilst still supporting your specific business requirements as your project matures throughout the lifecycle of your project or asset.

Built for the Future

As projects mature, so do their requirements. With X-Info Stakeholder Management, you can add functionality as your project evolves, ensuring your system stays aligned with your goals.

Whether you’re tackling environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibilities, negotiating land access contracts, or engaging with your local community, X-Info Stakeholder Management provides that extra level of assurance to your day to day activities, making it easier for you to focus on achieving your objectives.

Let us help you take the stress out of stakeholder management – so you can focus on delivering the projects that shape our energy future.

Written by Karen Thompson

Managing Landholder Relationships to Support Social License

Mipela’s Service Delivery Manager, Adam Herbert and APA Group’s Manager for Corridor Integrity, Operations Engineering & Planning, Ross Larsen, recently delivered a joint presentation titled Managing Landholder Relationships to Support Social License to the APGA’s Pipeline Operators Group in Adelaide.

Strong landholder relationships are one of many aspects which support an infrastructure operator’s social licence to operate. Achieving this relies on clear processes supported by robust and flexible systems. This enables energy and infrastructure asset owners and operators to treat our landholders as valued partners in their ongoing operations.

Ross focussed on APA Group’s massive task in managing its Social License to Operate, given the number of landholders, the number of details required, and changes over time. APA Group cannot rely on a “set and forget” mindset, but rather must rely on continuous review and improvement and updating of processes.

Adam explored how systems like Mipela’s suite of X-Info offerings, must support the business processes and be adaptable to support improvements and changing requirements over time, while providing for transparency and collaboration between the infrastructure operator and landholder.

The presentation highlighted the importance of strong landholder relationships in maintaining an infrastructure operator’s social license to operate and underscored the need for flexible and robust systems to ensure long-term, effective landholder engagement.

Written by Adam Herbert

The Power of Clean Data

In the energy and infrastructure sectors, data is the backbone of decision-making, asset management, and regulatory compliance. However, the quality of data is often overlooked until problems arise. Dirty data—meaning outdated, incomplete, duplicate or inaccurate information—can have serious consequences for asset owners, project managers, and stakeholders.

The Hidden Costs of Dirty Data

Dirty data can cause inefficiencies, increase operational costs, and even pose safety risks.

Potential impacts:

• Inefficient Operations: Poor data quality leads to misallocation of resources, causing wasted time and money
• Loss of Stakeholder Trust: Inconsistent records can create confusion among landowners, contractors, and regulatory bodies, reducing confidence in infrastructure projects
• Regulatory Non-Compliance: Inaccurate data can lead to non-compliance with safety and environmental regulations, resulting in fines or project delays
• Safety Hazards: Incorrect data on underground and above-ground assets can increase the risk of damage, endangering workers and the public.

The Benefits of Clean Data

Investing in data accuracy ensures operational efficiency and regulatory compliance while reducing risks.

The upside is:

• Improved Efficiency: Accurate data reduces errors, streamlines workflows, and increases productivity
• Better Stakeholder Engagement: Transparent and accurate records improve relationships with landowners, regulators, and the public
• Enhanced Decision-Making: Reliable data enables asset owners to make informed decisions about project management, reporting, maintenance, upgrades, and expansions
• Stronger Risk Management: Up-to-date information ensures safer working conditions and helps prevent costly damage to infrastructure.

How to Maintain Clean Data

Keeping data accurate requires proactive management.

Consider:

• Standardised Data Entry: Implement uniform guidelines to prevent inconsistencies
• Ongoing Training: Educate employees on the importance of accurate data and proper management practices
• Regular Data Audits: Conduct routine checks to identify and correct errors.

The Future of Data in Energy and Infrastructure

As we all embrace digital transformation, the importance of clean data will only grow. AI-driven analytics, automation, and cloud-based platforms are making data management more efficient—but these technologies still rely on high-quality data to function effectively.

By prioritising clean data, asset owners can improve compliance, increase efficiency, and ensure the safety of their projects.

Dirty data is like polluted water—if you don’t clean it, everything downstream gets contaminated.

Written by Jacqueline Button

Security update

Over the past year, threats against critical infrastructure and adjacent sectors have seen a significant rise, largely driven by nation-state actors who are increasingly focusing on targeting such infrastructure. This rising risk was emphasised by ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess in his Annual Threat Assessment in February 2025. Burgess pointed out that authoritarian regimes are becoming more inclined to disrupt or even destroy critical infrastructure with aims to impede decision-making processes, damage war-fighting capabilities, and incite social discord. Specifically, Burgess is concerned about nation states pre-positioning cyber access vectors in Australian critical infrastructure that they can exploit in the future.

A key trend across these attacks is their focus on identity-based exploitation. Threat actors increasingly rely on brute-force techniques, compromised credentials, and poorly managed accounts to gain unauthorised access. Additionally, they target unpatched public-facing infrastructure, such as VPNs, exposed RDP services, management consoles, and applications to gain initial access.

Protecting Mipela’s clients and their data is at the core of our security strategy. Mipela’s security team consistently tracks strategic and tactical trends in the security landscape.

In response to these evolving threats, Mipela has strengthened its security posture by implementing robust identity-based controls. This includes comprehensive device management and compliance enforcement policies, ensuring that only trusted, secure Mipela-managed devices can connect to Mipela’s environment and log into Mipela accounts. Doing so protects Mipela against modern identity-based threats, including adversary in the middle phishing and tactics employed by nation state actors. To mitigate exploitation of public-facing infrastructure, Mipela has enhanced its vulnerability management program, with continuous patching and proactive asset tracking to secure edge devices and applications. Our security team plays a key role in analysing threat intelligence, identifying risks, responding to threats, and ensuring compliance with best practices in securing critical infrastructure clients.

Mipela also operates 24/7 security monitoring, ensuring that any suspicious activity is swiftly identified and mitigated before it can escalate into a security incident. By proactively securing our systems and infrastructure around the clock, we not only defend against direct attacks on Mipela but also safeguard the sensitive data and operations of the critical infrastructure clients who rely on us.

Written by Justin Fielke

Navigating the Complexities of Renewables Projects: A Smarter Approach to Stakeholder Management

Launching a new renewable energy project – or any major project – can feel like navigating an unpredictable journey. Regulatory landscapes shift, project constraints evolve, and new challenges emerge at every turn. Yet, one constant remains: successful projects hinge on effective stakeholder management.

Capturing stakeholder interactions early in the process and turning that data into actionable insights is critical. But here’s the challenge: most stakeholder management systems either overwhelm you with unnecessary features from the start or lack the flexibility to grow with your project. That’s where having the right tools – and the right approach – makes all the difference.

Start Simple, Scale Smart

In the early stages of a project, your priority is straightforward: gather as much stakeholder data as possible. You don’t need all the bells and whistles yet; you just need a solid foundation. A good stakeholder management system should offer the basics to get you started, with the flexibility to evolve as your project matures.

At each stage – whether you’re securing feasibility approvals, negotiating land agreements, or managing community engagement – a tailored approach to stakeholder data becomes essential. For example:

• During land negotiations, you’ll need robust tools for agreement, obligation and payment management
• Community engagement efforts will require efficient systems to track interactions, manage complaints, and facilitate grants or employment opportunities for impacted communities
• And then there’s the challenge of overlapping roles: John Smith, the landowner, might also lead a local community group. Your system needs to seamlessly organise and report on interactions based on these different roles.

Leveraging Proven Expertise

With nearly three decades of experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors, Mipela understands these challenges. X-Info Stakeholder Management solution is designed to support projects at every stage of their lifecycle. From capturing early-stage interactions to managing complex landowner and regulatory requirements, X-Info Stakeholder Management is designed to align with stakeholder management best practice, whilst still supporting your specific business requirements as your project matures throughout the lifecycle of your project or asset.

Built for the Future

As projects mature, so do their requirements. With X-Info Stakeholder Management, you can add functionality as your project evolves, ensuring your system stays aligned with your goals.

Whether you’re tackling environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibilities, negotiating land access contracts, or engaging with your local community, X-Info Stakeholder Management provides that extra level of assurance to your day to day activities, making it easier for you to focus on achieving your objectives.

Let us help you take the stress out of stakeholder management – so you can focus on delivering the projects that shape our energy future.