Connecting People to Project

Community Engagement – Project Coordination – Delivery Management

Who We Are

Established in 2020, Cunningham Partners was founded on a simple principle: to bring proven stakeholder engagement and practical project management support together within a single, integrated service model.

 

We partner with clients to deliver infrastructure, transport, energy, defence and community projects by fostering meaningful public participation, environmental responsibility, heritage stewardship, and respectful collaboration with First Nations communities. Working alongside project teams, stakeholders and the broader community, we help build trust, navigate complexity, and deliver outcomes that create lasting value.

 

At Cunningham Partners, Connecting People to Project is more than a tagline—it’s the philosophy that guides everything we do.

How We Work

Relational Engagement

We build long-term, sustainable relationships with communities and stakeholders to reduce disruption and encourage support.

Multi-Modal Engagement

Our strategies go beyond single interactions, using digital, visual, and face-to-face tools to maximise participation.

Total Solutions

From consultation to communication design, we partner with Adelaide’s best specialists to deliver every aspect of your engagement needs.

Our Services

Public Participation & Involvement

Public participation provides for proactive identification of project issues, opportunities, and concerns, while developing a framework for feedback, comments, modifications and required...

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Stakeholder consultation & Engagement

CP stakeholder consultation involves the development of constructive, collaborative relationships through the life of the project that promotes meaningful...

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Community sentiment analysis & reputation management

Sentiment analysis is critical in understanding how the community perceives your project and your brand With a focus on reputation management...

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Tailored communication management

We recognise the most effective ways to increase client and stakeholder ‘buy in’ is to customiseour methods of communication CP aims to tailor our communications...

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Risk Management, Mitigation and Analysis

A meaningful and effective engagement approach includes managing and mitigating project risks through identification of the issues and concerns within the community...

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Facilitation, Consultation and training

Successful facilitation takes experience and skill to optimise solutions that work for all involved. At CP, we work to create an inclusive environment where people are comfortable...

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Public Participation & Involvement

We create opportunities for communities to actively contribute to project success through feedback, collaboration, and shared ownership. Our process follows the IAP2 spectrum to ensure best-practice engagement at every level.

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Public Participation & Involvement

We create opportunities for communities to actively contribute to project success through feedback, collaboration, and shared ownership. Our process follows the IAP2 spectrum to ensure best-practice engagement at every level.

Stakeholder Consultation & Engagement

From early discussions to project delivery, we build constructive relationships with stakeholders. Our tailored strategies encourage meaningful participation, address challenges, and generate broad support across diverse groups.

Community Sentiment & Reputation Management

Understanding how the community perceives your project is critical. We analyse feedback, monitor sentiment, and help shape strategies that protect and strengthen your reputation while fostering positive narratives.

Tailored Communication Management

Every project is unique, so our communication strategies are customised for maximum impact. From media campaigns to digital tools and community materials, we ensure messaging resonates with your stakeholders.

Risk Management & Mitigation

We identify and address potential issues before they escalate. Our team supports risk registers, response frameworks, and lessons-learned systems to minimise disruption and build community confidence.

Facilitation, Consultation & Training

Our experts deliver effective facilitation and training programs that bring people together. From workshops and focus groups to consultation sessions, we create inclusive environments that encourage open dialogue and collaboration.

Our Team

At Cunningham Partners, our team brings together decades of experience in stakeholder engagement, communications, and project management across government and private sectors. From major infrastructure and transport projects to community development initiatives, our specialists are skilled in building trust, reducing risks, and creating outcomes that matter.

Shannon Cunningham – Managing Director

With over 20 years of experience in stakeholder engagement across government and private sectors, Shannon has led projects in transport, infrastructure, energy, mining, and environmental services.

Michelle Reimers – Senior Engagement Consultant

Michelle is a communications and engagement professional with more than 10 years’ experience, primarily within the South Australian Government.

Brendan Cunningham – Director, Business Development

Michelle is a communications and engagement professional with more than 10 years’ experience, primarily within the South Australian Government.

Our Engagement Specialists

At Cunningham Partners, our team is made up of highly skilled engagement consultants with backgrounds across government, industry, and international projects

Our Team

At Cunningham Partners, our team brings together decades of experience in stakeholder engagement, communications, and project management across government and private sectors. From major infrastructure and transport projects to community development initiatives, our specialists are skilled in building trust, reducing risks, and creating outcomes that matter.

Shannon Cunningham – Managing Director

With over 20 years of experience in stakeholder engagement across government and private sectors, Shannon has led projects in transport, infrastructure, energy..

Read More

Michelle Reimers - Senior Engagement Consultant

Michelle is a communications and engagement specialist with over 10 years’ experience, primarily within the South Australian Government...

Read More

Brendan Cunningham - Director - Business Development

As Managing Director, Shannon has over 20 years' experience as an engagement specialist, having worked in both Government...

Read More

Our Engagement Consultants

Cunningham Partners stakeholder and community engagement specialists are drawn from government and industry, with experience across many. Australian and international infrastructure...

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Our Engagement Consultants

Cunningham Partners stakeholder and community engagement specialists are drawn from government and industry, with experience across many. Australian and international infrastructure...

Read More

Our Engagement Consultants

Cunningham Partners stakeholder and community engagement specialists are drawn from government and industry, with experience across many. Australian and international infrastructure...

Read More

Our Recent Projects

Victor Harbor Road Safety Improvements

Victor Harbor Road is undergoing safety upgrades as part of the Fleurieu Connections Projects, with a focus on improving road safety and visibility for motorists, particularly at key intersections.

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Yilki Coastal Sea Defence Wall Project

The Yilki Coastal Sea Defence Wall will provide protection for community assets such as the Encounter Bikeway and nearby roads, while also offering protection against storm surges and sea level rise.
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Augusta Highway Horrocks Pass Junction Upgrades

This project provides safety improvements at the Augusta Highway and Horrocks Pass Road junction at Winninowie, including new overtaking lanes on the Augusta Highway south of the junction.
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Lake Windabout Flood Remediation

Works will raise the level of the existing road surface to mitigate the chance of water overlapping and closing the road, while improving drainage structures, scour protection and rock armour.
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O'Sullivans Beach Boat Ramp

The O’Sullivan Beach Boat Ramp upgrades included a new two-lane ramp, an L-shaped pontoon, a widened maneuvering area, northern and southern rock walls.and improvements to ramps and pavement.
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Eastern Parade Access Upgrade

The Eastern Parade Access Upgrade involved driveway tie-ins, road widening activities, kerbing, drains works,asphalting, and line marking as part of T2D prepatory works.
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Strategic Project Consulting

At Cunningham Partners, strategic project consulting is about more than providing advice—it’s about helping projects succeed. We work alongside clients as an extension of their project team, delivering practical solutions that strengthen planning, improve decision-making and support successful delivery. Our expertise spans government, infrastructure, transport, energy, defence, mining, private industry and community projects, where we help identify opportunities, anticipate challenges and navigate complex project environments. By combining strategic thinking with practical experience, we help clients reduce risk, build confidence, strengthen relationships and keep projects moving from concept through to completion.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

At Cunningham Partners, community and stakeholder engagement is about building understanding, trust and confidence that supports successful project delivery. We work collaboratively with project teams, government agencies, stakeholders and communities to create meaningful conversations, identify issues early and develop practical solutions that benefit everyone involved. Our tailored engagement strategies ensure people are informed, heard and respected throughout every stage of a project. By fostering genuine relationships, managing expectations and addressing concerns before they escalate, we help reduce project risk, strengthen community support and create positive outcomes for clients, stakeholders and the communities they serve.

Project Management & Delivery Support

At Cunningham Partners, we go beyond traditional stakeholder engagement by becoming an integrated part of your project team. Our project management and delivery support services provide practical assistance throughout the project lifecycle, from planning and approvals through to construction and completion. Working alongside project managers, contractors and consultants, we help coordinate activities, identify emerging issues, strengthen communication and support informed decision-making. By combining strategic advice, stakeholder expertise and hands-on project support, we help reduce risk, improve collaboration and keep projects progressing efficiently, delivering successful outcomes for clients, communities and project stakeholders alike.

Facilitation, Consultation and training

Effective engagement starts with meaningful conversations and capable project teams. Cunningham Partners delivers professional facilitation, consultation and training tailored to both community and organisational environments. We facilitate community workshops, public information sessions and stakeholder forums that encourage participation, build understanding and support informed decision-making. We also work with project teams through toolbox talks, engagement training, process development and capability building, equipping staff with the skills and confidence to engage effectively. By combining practical experience with proven facilitation techniques, we help organisations strengthen communication, improve collaboration and achieve more successful project and community outcomes.

Printing & Distribution

Effective communication depends on more than great content—it needs to reach the right people at the right time. Cunningham Partners manages the complete production, printing and distribution of project communications, including newsletters, letters, fact sheets, notifications and information packs. We coordinate every stage of the process, ensuring materials are professionally presented and delivered through the most appropriate channels. Whether supporting community engagement, stakeholder consultation or project updates, we help organisations communicate clearly, increase awareness and ensure communities remain informed, connected and confident throughout every stage of project delivery.

Drone photography and videography

Professional aerial imagery provides a unique perspective that enhances every stage of a project. Cunningham Partners delivers high-quality drone photography and videography before, during and after project delivery, capturing site conditions, construction progress and completed outcomes. Our licensed drone services support project planning, stakeholder engagement, community communications, progress reporting and promotional activities with clear, compelling visual content. Whether documenting milestones, showcasing achievements or providing valuable project insights, we create professional aerial imagery that strengthens communication, improves understanding and helps tell the complete story of your project from beginning to completion.

Shannon Cunningham - Managing Director

As Managing Director, Shannon has over 20 years’ experience as an engagement specialist, having worked in both Government and private enterprise.

She has worked across a range of high profile and politicised projects featuring aspects of road, rail, public transport, marine, infrastructure, mining, environment, services, energy, and civil related construction.

Her experience has provided insight into community trends and concerns, advanced strategic planning and problem-solving skills, and ability to communicate project vision and messaging to all interested stakeholders.

Shannon has International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) certification, and qualifications and background in counselling, project management, training, engagement, mediation, and community development.

Michelle Reimers - Senior Engagement Consultant

Michelle is a communications and engagement specialist with over 10 years’ experience, primarily within the South Australian Government. She has delivered strategic engagement across a range of major infrastructure projects, including road, rail, marine, and public transport.

Michelle has supported enabling works including procurement, property acquisitions, utility coordination, noise wall installation, and resurfacing, and has worked closely with project managers, contractors, and government agencies to guide construction methodology, traffic management, and stakeholder strategies.

Michelle is known for her ability to build strong, positive relationships with communities and stakeholders. She takes a collaborative, solutions-focused approach to ensure outcomes that meet both project objectives and the needs of those affected.

Brendan Cunningham - Director - Business Development

Brendan has over 20 years’ experience in business development, program and project management across the community and public programs, education and training, strategic planning & stakeholder engagement industries.

With a background in project management, Brendan has worked within a range of government and non-government organisations developing programs and training packages for industries including community development, education, building & construction, and others, in addition to time spend working in Director and Managing Director roles in the training, business development and communications sectors.

Brendan is an MBA candidate, with a strong background in management, leadership, skills development & project innovation, and experience in tender writing, strategic planning, data analysis and program development.

Our Engagement Consultants

Cunningham Partners stakeholder and community engagement specialists are drawn from government and industry, with experience across many Australian and international infrastructure and construction projects. We aim to match the skills of our engagement team to the complexities of the project, and the needs of the project staff making it happen. Cunningham Partners aims to provide your project with a total engagement solution, from consultation to community engagement, dilapidation to drones, engineering to equipment, or anything else that your project, your stakeholders, or the wider community may need.