Guiding Principles of Consultation

At its meeting of 10 August 2000, the CICCC adopted a statement of the guiding principles of consultation at CICCC.

 

One common view of the levels of public involvement is summarised below:

  • Informing – one-way flow of information from the proponent to the public
  • Consulting – two-way flow of information between the proponent and the public, providing opportunities for the public to express views on the proposal
  • Participating – proponent and the public involved in shared analysis, agenda setting and decision making, through reaching consensus on the main elements.

The CICCC adopts the statement below as our shared understanding of the guiding principles of consultation at CICCC. We endorse the objectives of consultation set out below.

“Consultation” describes a two way process between stakeholders (including, at CICCC, Terminals Pty Ltd, community and environmental representatives, and other members) prior to decision making. Consultation should be undertaken in such a way that there is an equal opportunity for all stakeholders to have their views considered. The consultation process should be managed so that open consideration is given to all points of view, and so that haste is avoided.”

The objectives of public consultation include:

  • informing the stakeholders about what is proposed;
  • providing an opportunity for those otherwise unrepresented to present their views and values, therefore allowing more sensitive consideration of options, mitigation measures and trade-offs;
  • providing an opportunity for the public to influence outcomes in a positive manner;
  • obtaining local and traditional knowledge before decision making;
  • developing proposals which are more ecologically, economically and socially sustainable;
  • reducing conflict through the early identification of contentious issues, and working through these to find acceptable solutions;
  • ensuring that the benefits of the proposal are maximised and that no major impacts have been overlooked;
  • increasing public confidence in the proponent, reviewers and decision-makers;
  • providing better transparency and accountability in decision making; and
  • creating a sense of ownership of the proposal in the minds of the stakeholders.