The Department of Environment and Conservation is committed to involving the community wherever possible in the decision-making process, recognising that the Department benefits from the experience and knowledge of those close to the issues with which we are working. Importantly, community involvement engages communities in environmental protection by fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges we face as managers and regulators.

This frequently includes addressing an often large disparity between community expectations and our ability to meet these. Coupled with an understanding of issues, threats and opportunities, the more that communities are given access to decisions affecting their lives, the greater the opportunity of generating a sense of ownership of decisions and outcomes.

Community Involvement:

• Assists in decision-making
• Facilitates shared understanding of problems and dilemmas
• Demonstrates our commitment to accountability, democracy and transparency
• Empowers citizens and promotes environmental protection
• Offers and/or creates new perspectives and solutions on issues
• Provides greater legitimacy for decision-making.

The publications below are for use by industry and community groups to help them get the most out of community consultation processes.