We went to the consultation session, but it felt like a PR show.
Quote from Community Member on 9 December 2025, 3:42 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’re in Queensland and went to a drop-in session about a windfarm project. But it felt like they were just showing us brochures. Can that still count as community consultation?
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’re in Queensland and went to a drop-in session about a windfarm project. But it felt like they were just showing us brochures. Can that still count as community consultation?
Quote from Expert on 9 December 2025, 3:42 pmTechnically, it counts, but it doesn’t meet the standard of meaningful engagement as outlined in Queensland’s Social Impact Assessment Guideline (2025).
Good practice engagement should:
- Start early, before decisions are locked in
- Involve two-way dialogue, not just informing
- Be tailored to local needs and communication preferences
In the Surat Basin, for instance, some operators run co-designed workshops or community-led mapping exercises; these are much more authentic forms of engagement.
If your experience was limited to brochures and presentations, you can:
- Request a copy of the engagement summary report
- Ask how feedback was used to shape decisions
- Write to the Council and/or the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning if the process seems inadequate
Would you like help drafting those follow-up questions?
Technically, it counts, but it doesn’t meet the standard of meaningful engagement as outlined in Queensland’s Social Impact Assessment Guideline (2025).
Good practice engagement should:
- Start early, before decisions are locked in
- Involve two-way dialogue, not just informing
- Be tailored to local needs and communication preferences
In the Surat Basin, for instance, some operators run co-designed workshops or community-led mapping exercises; these are much more authentic forms of engagement.
If your experience was limited to brochures and presentations, you can:
- Request a copy of the engagement summary report
- Ask how feedback was used to shape decisions
- Write to the Council and/or the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning if the process seems inadequate
Would you like help drafting those follow-up questions?
Quote from Community Member on 9 December 2025, 3:42 pmYes, and who exactly should I send it to?
Yes, and who exactly should I send it to?
Quote from Expert on 9 December 2025, 3:42 pmStart by writing to the proponent’s stakeholder engagement lead. If the issue isn’t resolved, escalate to your local Council and the SIA team at the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, and Planning.
Start by writing to the proponent’s stakeholder engagement lead. If the issue isn’t resolved, escalate to your local Council and the SIA team at the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, and Planning.