Applying for general release or release with controls

Pre-application consultation

Consultation is the continuous dialogue that takes place between an applicant and those who might have an opinion about the proposal, both for and against. Consultation does not mean negotiating consensus or agreement, but does mean:

entering into an open and honest discussion of issues with stakeholders and/or
showing a genuine willingness to value the concerns of others and to respond appropriately.

Public participation and consultation are key requirements of the EPA process. An open and transparent consultation process is likely to expedite the consideration of an application by reducing interactions between the applicant, the EPA, and/or potential submitters.

Effective consultation before and during the application process, is likely to reduce the level of opposition to the application, or if not, it will better inform the process. Applicants are therefore advised to identify all those with a significant interest in the outcome in the application at the outset, and enter into dialogue at an early stage of project development. This should include organisations that are expected to oppose the concept as well as likely supporters.