Community Trust Engagement & Communication

Abstract

Effective community engagement from the start of any project is critical to gaining public support. The geothermal industry in Australia faces particular challenges in consulting with the community because its technology is relatively unknown. The challenge includes: 1. a process of public education; 2. a process of managing public perceptions of risk. Add to these the range of views about climate change and confusion around the role of renewable energy in general and the community engagement task can seem daunting. Local community concern about geothermal projects in their vicinity should therefore come as no surprise. Planning for community concern and taking an approach that prioritises long-term relationship building with the community is critical to successful project management. This presentation will provide a practical introduction to community relations and consultation management drawing on lessons both from the geothermal and the broader renewables sector. The presentation will provide a brief outline of the context of community consultation, a consultation framework, as well as some practical Do