Planning Act 2023

In undertaking consultation under this Act, a person must consider that consultation should be accessible, balanced, inclusive, meaningful, resourced, respectful, timely, transparent and understandable (principles of good consultation).

In this section—

consultation is accessible if information provided as part of the consultation, and processes for consultation, are easy to access and are presented in a variety of ways to accommodate different stakeholders; and

consultation is balanced if—

it is undertaken in a way that facilitates and encourages constructive responses from a wide range of stakeholders; and

community views are considered together with the views of other stakeholders; and

consultation is inclusive if it is undertaken in a way that—

engages all stakeholders directly affected by the subject of the consultation; and

aims to engage all other stakeholders affected by the subject of the consultation; and

consultation is meaningful if—

information provided as part of the consultation is adequate and well-informed to ensure all stakeholders understand the subject of, and issues relating to, the consultation and can give informed responses; and

it genuinely seeks community feedback; and

community views are genuinely considered and incorporated into final decisions; and

consultation is resourced if the processes are appropriately supported, taking into account the significance, complexity and likely impact of the subject of the consultation; and

consultation is respectful if it is collaborative, genuine and courteous towards all views expressed; and

consultation is timely if—

it is undertaken early and at other appropriate times in the planning process; and

it is undertaken in a way that considers the needs of stakeholders and facilitates participation; and

it allows sufficient time for stakeholders to engage with other members of their group or organisation to form a collective decision; and

for a development application for a significant development—it is undertaken as early as possible; and

consultation is transparent if—

information provided as part of the consultation and processes for consultation are clear and observable; and

planning decisions are made openly; and

government and proponents provide reasons for decisions, including how community views have been taken into account; and

information provided as part of consultation is understandable if—

it is clear about the overall objective of the consultation, the specific issues on which stakeholders are being consulted and what is not open to consultation or change; and

it is accurate, written in plain language and presented clearly.