The consultation felt like a box-ticking exercise. Is that allowed?
Quote from Community Member on 9 December 2025, 3:35 pmDisclaimer: This post is a demonstration of our ‘Collaborative Conversations’ Forum. The information provided is based on examples of conversations our experts have had.
We went to a consultation session last month about the new energy project. But it felt like the company already made up its mind. Is that legal? Or just bad practice?
Disclaimer: This post is a demonstration of our ‘Collaborative Conversations’ Forum. The information provided is based on examples of conversations our experts have had.
We went to a consultation session last month about the new energy project. But it felt like the company already made up its mind. Is that legal? Or just bad practice?
Quote from Expert on 9 December 2025, 3:36 pmUnfortunately, this experience is more common than it should be. While community consultation is required in most regulatory processes, the quality varies.
The key difference is between informing (telling people what’s happening) and engaging (shaping decisions together). International good practice and Australian guidelines both emphasise meaningful participation, ideally through co-design, not just notification.
Here’s what you can do:
- Request the consultation log: They must report on how they engaged and what feedback was received.
- Ask how your feedback has been incorporated. If it hasn’t, request a formal response.
- Get organised. If several people felt the same, submit a joint letter to the regulator asking for a second round of engagement.
Would you like help drafting questions to ask at the next session?
Unfortunately, this experience is more common than it should be. While community consultation is required in most regulatory processes, the quality varies.
The key difference is between informing (telling people what’s happening) and engaging (shaping decisions together). International good practice and Australian guidelines both emphasise meaningful participation, ideally through co-design, not just notification.
Here’s what you can do:
- Request the consultation log: They must report on how they engaged and what feedback was received.
- Ask how your feedback has been incorporated. If it hasn’t, request a formal response.
- Get organised. If several people felt the same, submit a joint letter to the regulator asking for a second round of engagement.
Would you like help drafting questions to ask at the next session?
Quote from Community Member on 9 December 2025, 3:36 pmYes. Also, is there a rule about how early they need to consult?
Yes. Also, is there a rule about how early they need to consult?
Quote from Expert on 9 December 2025, 3:36 pmYes, guidelines from the NSW Department of Planning, for example, state that consultation must begin at the scoping phase, not just after decisions are made.
We’ve summarised the engagement requirements across jurisdictions in our upcoming training series. Let me know if you’d like early access.
Yes, guidelines from the NSW Department of Planning, for example, state that consultation must begin at the scoping phase, not just after decisions are made.
We’ve summarised the engagement requirements across jurisdictions in our upcoming training series. Let me know if you’d like early access.