Stakeholder Engagement – a Case Study: the Victorian Desalination Project
GES3250 Environmental Assessment and Decision Making
Research Essay- Topic 3
Stakeholder Engagement – A Case Study: The Victorian Desalination Project
Introduction
During environmental debates, the various stakeholders involved often have competing values, motivations and purposes. One example used to demonstrate this is the Victorian Desalination Plant (proposed to be completed 2011) in Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia. The Victorian Desalination Project is a controversial project involving the Department of Sustainability and Environment, local council, local communities residing in the area and opposing groups such as Watershed. The number of forums available for the different stakeholders are limited and bear both advantages and disadvantages in discussing the environmental decision-making process. In exploring these issues, a number of points need to be discussed: a reference to stakeholder participation and its importance in the environmental decision making process; the main stakeholders involved in the environmental debate; the views and motivations of the stakeholders; the forums available for stakeholder engagement and the benefits and pitfalls of the forums for stakeholder engagement.
Stakeholders and Their Importance in Environmental Decision Making
Harding, et al (2009) broadly refers to a stakeholder as any one who has an interest or stake in something. The object in this case is the Wonthaggi desalination plant. The relevant stakeholders in any case hold a stake or and interest for many different reasons. The importance and core values of stakeholder engagement in the decision making is well outlined by (IAPP, 2009) the fundamental basis for engagement is on the moral belief that those impacted by the decision have a right to be incorporated into the decision making process. Ideally there should be a mechanism in place to demonstrate how stakeholders’ inputs have influenced an environmental decision (Conacher & Conarcher, 2000).
Research Essay- Topic 3
Stakeholder Engagement – A Case Study: The Victorian Desalination Project
Introduction
During environmental debates, the various stakeholders involved often have competing values, motivations and purposes. One example used to demonstrate this is the Victorian Desalination Plant (proposed to be completed 2011) in Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia. The Victorian Desalination Project is a controversial project involving the Department of Sustainability and Environment, local council, local communities residing in the area and opposing groups such as Watershed. The number of forums available for the different stakeholders are limited and bear both advantages and disadvantages in discussing the environmental decision-making process. In exploring these issues, a number of points need to be discussed: a reference to stakeholder participation and its importance in the environmental decision making process; the main stakeholders involved in the environmental debate; the views and motivations of the stakeholders; the forums available for stakeholder engagement and the benefits and pitfalls of the forums for stakeholder engagement.
Stakeholders and Their Importance in Environmental Decision Making
Harding, et al (2009) broadly refers to a stakeholder as any one who has an interest or stake in something. The object in this case is the Wonthaggi desalination plant. The relevant stakeholders in any case hold a stake or and interest for many different reasons. The importance and core values of stakeholder engagement in the decision making is well outlined by (IAPP, 2009) the fundamental basis for engagement is on the moral belief that those impacted by the decision have a right to be incorporated into the decision making process. Ideally there should be a mechanism in place to demonstrate how stakeholders’ inputs have influenced an environmental decision (Conacher & Conarcher, 2000).
References: AquaSure, 2009. Victorian Desalination Project [online], Available from: www.aquasure.com.au [Accessed: 6.4.2010] Arnstein, S., 1969 Bass Coast Shire Council, 2010. News & Publications [online], Available from: www.basscoast.vic.gov.au [Accessed: 13.4.2010] Conacher, A & Conacher, J., 2000 Department of Planning and Community Development, 2010. Victorian Desalination Project [online], Available from: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/ [Accessed: 12.4.2010] Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2010 Elliott, M. and Thomas, I., 2009. Environmental Impact Assessment in Australia: Theory and Practice. 5th Edition, The Federation Press, Sydney. Environment Effects Statement, Victorian Desalination Project, Report of the Inquiry December 2008 Environmental Protection Authority Victoria, 2010 Harding, R., Hendricks, C. and Faruqi, M., 2009. Environmental Decision-Making: Exploring Complexity and Context. The Federation Press, Sydney. International Association for Public Participation, 2009 Our Water Our Future, 2009a. Community Consultation [online], Available from: http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/programs/desalination/community [Accessed: 9.4.2010] Our Water Our Future, 2009b Ross, H., Buchy, M. and Proctor, W., 2002. ‘Laying Down the Ladder: A Typology of Public Participation in Australian Natural Resource Management’. Australian Journal of Environmental Management, 9(4): 205-217. Source: Department of Planning and Community, 2010.