This is a reflective scenario problem regarding negotiation. Please DO NOT answer this question if you are just going to give the definition. Thank you.

Background:

Mangrove Bay Resort

The settlement of Warana Bay, pop. 15,000, is the proposed site for a transformative integrated resort development by Langley International, Australias largest private property developer owned by billionaire Gier Langley. Originally approved and supported under the pro-development cut-red-tape Queensland State government in 2015, the project has been revised and re-submitted for approval multiple times over the past five years to accommodate input from public consultation, and to try to meet environmental regulations. Despite the fact the development has been championed by Warana Bays Mayor and council, and supported by former and current state governments, all of whom believe the development will bring jobs and tourists to Warana Bay, the fact that the 78 hectare site 18 over land and 60 over the water encroaches on a marine park protected by international convention, is proving a bit of an obstacle. There is also the issue that the development, set to include a retail and commercial precinct, will draw customers away from the existing Warana Bay Town Centre.

According to the Mangrove Bay Resort masterplan, the $1.4 billion Mangrove Bay Integrated Resort project will include:

• 2,700 apartments across nine 10-storey buildings,
• Upgrades to the existing public ferry terminal and 1,000 dedicated public car parking spaces for ferry users,
• Hotel and convention facilities that will provide corporate and leisure accommodation, meeting and function facilities,
• Recreational boating facilities including 600 private marina berths, public pontoon and sheltered boat ramp with trailer parking, and
• Marina plaza with retail and dining precinct.
• Construction will provide 1000 temporary jobs, with the eventual precinct supporting a further 500 local positions for hotel, retail, maintenance, and cleaning staff.

Warana Bay Wildlife Warriors

The most significant opposition for the project comes from the Warana Bay Wildlife Warriors. The group, which has grown rapidly in response to the Mangrove Bay Resort proposal to around 3000 members, is protesting the reclamation and development of an area of the bay protected by an internationally recognised conservation act; the mudflats and mangroves around Warana Bay provide important habitat for many species, including the endangered migratory Eastern Curlew. These birds rest and prepare for their return journey by fattening up on crustaceans they dig out of the bayside mud but the area is home to thousands more birds. The wetlands protect other species too, but in order to provide a deeper harbour for ferries and other water vessels and to construct the marina, dredging and land reclamation, and the increased marine traffic it will allow, poses a threat to animals including dugongs, whales and sea turtles. The Warriors dont want the resort to be built in Warana Bay at all, but if it has to go ahead, they want to lessen the impact by halving the number of apartments built and forgoing any dredging or land reclamation.

Warana Bay Business Association

Members of the Warana Bay Business Association, made up of owners and employees of businesses in the town centre, 1.5km from the Mangrove Bay site, are more circumspect. Most of the towns retail and shopping centres were developed in the late 1970s and early 80s, and havent been renovated. The group supports parts of the proposed resort increased population and tourism would bring benefits to the local economy, so they are enthusiastic about residential development, improvements to the ferry terminal and the addition of the marina but they are worried that the proposed commercial and retail aspects of the new resort will take all the new and existing business away. And even if the Mangrove Bay shops only attracted resort residents, the old Warana Bay centre would feel dull and unattractive by comparison the town would end up a segregated community. To balance out the potential for the development to impact negatively on the existing business community, members of BCAG want to see significant investments in the broader Warana Bay area, but hope they can forget about shops and restaurants, focusing only on residential and tourism infrastructure.

Warana Bay Council

The Warana Bay Mayor is an enthusiastic supporter of the project and loves the fact shell be presiding over such a monumental revitalisation of her town. She has spoken to a lot of residents in the town, and know that there is considerable excitement about the proposed boutique shopping and cafe precinct, and the boost to local population and economy the project will provide around 1500 jobs the development will bring. She really wants Warana Bay to have something this special, and that will ensure a strong economy for years to come. She has some concerns, though, about the potential for negative press and potential loss of tourism dollars if the resort results in loss of wildlife habitat. She knows how important the birdwatchers and other nature-lovers are to the economy and to the towns identity. Shes also aware of the opposition of a good portion of Warana Bay businesses, and wondering whether the developers need to make some kind of economic contribution to offset any damage they do. She doesnt want Warana Bay to completely trash its reputation for setting a high standard for eco-tourism but on the other hand, she wants as many people to share in the wonders of Warana Bay as possible

Langley International

The Integrated Resort concept is something that Langley International take very seriously; the company wants to specialise in this type of development, and has a vision of creating dynamic communities, where families can grow with a variety of amenities and infrastructure. Integral to the success of Mangrove Bay, then, is its multi-use, complete community aspect, the fact that the resort will be effectively self-contained. Of course the location overlooking the Bay is important, with the added appeal of ocean access via the marina and improved ferry facilities otherwise there would not be the same level of interest as a destination, or as a desirable residential address but all other aspects of the resort will be self-sufficient. Langley International has enjoyed the support of local government, and considers that Mangrove Bay resort, with its waterfront boulevards, bayside space and substantial economic growth, will be a tremendous gift for the area. Although there has been some push-back around environmental concerns the dredging required to increase ferry services may impact on dugong, turtle and whale habitat and create ongoing hazards for these animals and other marine life, and theres the possibility that the land reclamation required for around half of the proposed building will destroy migratory bird habitat the increase in tourism and lift to the local economy will more than make up for any disadvantages.

Although there is a range of issues at stake, these have been narrowed down to cover:

1. Impact of the development on wildlife and conservation
2. Disadvantage to existing Warana Bay business and community
3. Economic growth and job creation

A representative from each of the groups involved has been invited by the Mayor to be part of a Special Advisory Committee, with the Mayor representing the broader interests of Warana Bay (as described above). She acknowledges that council is not entirely impartial but will support whatever the SAC group can agree on but three of the four representatives need to agree on an outcome.

Question:

Undertake pre-preparation by thinking about the likely positions of all parties

Think about their most likely approach to the negotiation and how strongly they may, or may not, be motivated to get an agreement

Prepare an initial plan for the negotiation for each party