Public consultation is a cornerstone of Australia’s offshore oil and gas projects, giving advocacy groups, community members, and industry stakeholders the opportunity to influence environmental planning. However, not all feedback carries the same weight—its impact depends on its specificity, validity, and relevance.

Understanding Relevant Persons

Under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations (Australian Government, 2023), titleholders must consult with relevant persons—those whose functions, interests, or activities may be affected by the specific project. If you, your business, or your organisation are a relevant person, you may participate in the consultation process to share and receive relevant information, provide feedback for assessment, and, where appropriate, inform changes to the project plan to reduce or manage potential impacts. Sharing information about how others may be affected can help identify and direct consultation efforts, but ultimately, the consultation process relates to those directly impacted (NOPSEMA Consultation Guidelines).

Examples of functions, interests or activities that may make you a relevant person.

What if I’m not a Relevant Person?

Even if you don’t fulfill the criteria for relevant persons consultation you can still participate via the Public Comment process. This is a mandated 30-day period, which allows the public to review and provide feedback on proposed activities through the regulator NOPSEMA’s website.

For more information visit NOPSEMA: Have your say

Why Specificity Matters

Government regulators assess Environment Plans (EPs) against strict statutory standards and regulatory frameworks to ensure that proposed activities have adequately identified, assessed, and addressed potential impacts and risks within the project area. They need project-specific, location-based information to evaluate risks and mitigation measures. Emails containing petitions, broad protest statements, or general opposition to fossil fuels fall out of scope because they aren’t about the specific proposed activity and therefore aren’t relevant to be considered in an Environment Plan.

The influence of your submission isn’t determined by numbers; it’s shaped by substance. Regulators value feedback that is detailed, relevant, and backed by information specific to the proposed activity. A single well-informed response by a representative for the petition group can carry far more weight than hundreds of identical petition emails protesting current energy policy.

Examples of out-of-scope feedback:

• “Stop all offshore drilling in Australia” (industry-wide opposition)
• “Ban fossil fuels globally” (policy-level advocacy)
• “Seismic blasting should be banned in our oceans” (broad advocacy, not specific to the proposed survey area or timing)
• Mass petition emails with identical wording and no reference to your specific function, interest or activity in the Operational Area.

Respectful Dialogue Matters

Consultation works best when discussions remain constructive. Titleholders have obligations to protect employees from aggressive or hostile interactions (NOPSEMA, Psychosocial risk management) and reduce those risks to as low as reasonably practicable within their own company policies and procedures. Confrontational behaviour, including disorderly conduct or threatening language during consultation, is considered hostile and demonstrates no intent to engage in meaningful dialogue. While not all stakeholders will share the same views, all participants should feel safe to express them. Disrupting consultation events can prevent genuinely affected stakeholders from receiving and providing information necessary to inform decision-making and safeguard the environment.

Where Broader Concerns Belong

Concerns about ending fossil fuel use, banning offshore drilling, or opposing seismic surveys entirely are best directed to policymakers and regulators rather than project-level consultations. These forums are designed to shape legislation and energy strategy, where advocacy campaigns can influence decision-making.

Policy contacts for broader issues:

• Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW): epbc.referrals@dcceew.gov.au
• NOPSEMA General Policy Feedback: feedback@nopsema.gov.au
• Your Local Federal MP: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members

Your voice matters most when it is specific, informed, and directly relevant to the project under consultation. Targeted feedback ensures offshore projects operate safely, responsibly, and in accordance with Australia’s stringent environmental standards.

References

• Australian Government. (2023). Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2023.
• Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). EPBC Act Offshore Petroleum Program.
• (2025). Guidelines: Consultation in the course of preparing an Environment Plan.
• (2024). Regulatory Services Charter – Workplace protections and respectful engagement.
• NOPSEMA, Psychosocial risk management (Guidance Note N‑09000‑GN1958, 10 December 2025).

Vicki Doidge, Projects Manager

Vicki is a seasoned professional with 19 years of invaluable experience across the oil and gas industry. With a diverse background, she has successfully navigated technical roles as an exploration geoscientist and GIS cartographer, as well as customer-facing sales and business development positions. Vicki’s specialisation lies in geoscience and engineering software technology, making her a sought-after expert in the Asia Pacific region 

Currently serving as a Project Manager at Klarite Pty Ltd, Vicki spearheads the delivery of exceptional environment plan and consultation services to our valued clients. Her dedication to ensuring effective communication and collaboration sets the foundation for successful projects and fosters positive working relationships. Her ability to bring diverse stakeholders together and provide a platform for all voices to be heard is instrumental in driving sustainable outcomes for our clients and the environment.

Stakeholder consultation is a cornerstone of Australia’s offshore environmental management framework. Under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations, titleholders must consult with all relevant persons—defined as individuals, organisations, or groups whose functions, interests, or activities may be affected by a proposed offshore activity (NOPSEMA, Consultation Guidelines). This obligation ensures transparency, builds trust, and informs the development of Environment Plans (EPs), which are rigorously assessed by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) before any activity can proceed.

The Challenge: Volume vs. Relevance

While the intent is clear, meaningful engagement with those potentially impacted, the practical reality is more complex. Titleholders often adopt broad capture approaches, including outreach to environmental NGOs and community groups, to identify potentially affected parties. However, this inclusivity can create a volume-driven imbalance, in which high volumes of general-interest responses overshadow input from those with direct operational or cultural ties to the area.

This imbalance poses two risks:

• Dilution of critical input from directly affected stakeholders with substantive functions, interests or activities. Personal viewpoints and assumptions being presented as factual and science based.
• Extended timelines and resource strain, as companies navigate large volumes of feedback that may not materially influence risk management strategies.

Why Triaging Matters

To maintain integrity in the process, some degree of triage is necessary. Prioritising stakeholders with demonstrable functions, interest or activities in the specific area—such as Traditional Owners, commercial fishers, and government agencies—ensures that consultation remains fit for purpose. This approach aligns with recent court interpretations (e.g., Tipakalippa decision, 2022), which emphasise genuine engagement with those whose interests extend beyond general advocacy.

The Role of NGOs and Advocacy

Environmental NGOs play a vital role in raising awareness and promoting ocean health. Their input often reflects broader societal values and can influence policy evolution. However, it’s important to recognise that government assessments of EPs are rigorous, incorporating biodiversity, cultural heritage, and cumulative impact considerations under frameworks like the EPBC Act Program. These statutory processes are sometimes underestimated or dismissed in public discourse, yet they remain central to safeguarding marine ecosystems (NOPSEMA, Environment Plan decision making).

Striking the Balance

Effective consultation is not about limiting voices—it is about prioritising information from those most affected and best placed to inform outcomes.

Titleholders must:

• Map stakeholder influence and impact early in the planning phase.
• Assess, validate, and verify the information received.
• Document transparent criteria for identifying relevant persons.
• Maintain open channels for broader community input while focusing detailed engagement on those directly affected.

This balanced approach respects inclusivity without compromising the quality of environmental risk management. In an era of heightened scrutiny and climate urgency, getting this right is essential—not just for regulatory compliance, but for sustaining the industry’s social licence to operate.

References

• Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW): EPBC Act Offshore Petroleum Program.
• NOPSEMA Consultation Guidelines: Consultation and Communication Requirements for Environment Plan (May 2025).
• NOPSEMA Guidelines: Consultation with Commonwealth agencies with responsibilities in the marine area (Aug 2024).
• NOPSEMA Guidelines: Environment Plan decision making (Jan 2024).
• Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 – Australian Government.
• Tipakalippa v NOPSEMA & Santos [2022] FCAFC 193 – Federal Court of Australia.

Vicki Doidge, Projects Manager

Vicki is a seasoned professional with 19 years of invaluable experience across the oil and gas industry. With a diverse background, she has successfully navigated technical roles as an exploration geoscientist and GIS cartographer, as well as customer-facing sales and business development positions. Vicki’s specialisation lies in geoscience and engineering software technology, making her a sought-after expert in the Asia Pacific region 

Currently serving as a Project Manager at Klarite Pty Ltd, Vicki spearheads the delivery of exceptional environment plan and consultation services to our valued clients. Her dedication to ensuring effective communication and collaboration sets the foundation for successful projects and fosters positive working relationships. Her ability to bring diverse stakeholders together and provide a platform for all voices to be heard is instrumental in driving sustainable outcomes for our clients and the environment.

As Australia transitions toward more sustainable energy systems, the importance of genuine consultation has never been clearer. Meaningful engagement with stakeholders isn’t just a regulatory box to check—it’s a pathway to better decisions, stronger relationships, and improved long-term outcomes for all parties involved.

Why Consultation Matters

Under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2023, consultation with relevant persons—those who may be affected by a proposed activity—is a legal requirement. However, beyond compliance, it presents a strategic opportunity to build genuine relationships with stakeholders, from Traditional Owners and local communities, fishers, to government agencies and industry peers.

Consultation allows for a deeper understanding of local contexts and region-specific issues, such as:

• Identifying culturally significant areas and sensitive ecological zones.
• Addressing local community concerns and priorities.
• Ensuring traditional knowledge informs environmental planning.

Engaging with Indigenous communities, for instance, helps ensure cultural heritage is respected, while their insights bring valuable depth to project design. These conversations aren’t about ticking boxes—they shape stronger, more informed decisions.

The Klarite Approach to Consultation

At Klarite, we specialise in designing and delivering consultation strategies that go beyond meeting regulatory requirements. Our approach emphasises inclusivity, timeliness, and tailoring to the specific needs of stakeholders.

Whether working with Traditional Owners, coastal communities, or government authorities, we help clients translate obligations into meaningful dialogue. We ensure:

• Stakeholder voices are heard.
• Feedback is integrated into planning and decision-making.
• Environmental and community values are reflected in project outcomes.

The Benefits of Genuine Engagement

Effective consultation doesn’t just improve environmental outcomes; it builds trust and strengthens partnerships. It ensures projects are better positioned for long-term success while fostering a sense of collaboration and shared purpose.

Shaping Energy and Progress Together

Collaboration is more than a regulatory obligation—it’s a cornerstone of sustainable energy development. By embracing this principle, we can create environmental plans that reflect the values, knowledge, and priorities of all Australians.

At Klarite, we’re proud to support this collaborative approach, shaping the future of offshore energy through meaningful engagement.

Sarah Rudnicki, Projects Manager

Sarah is a highly experienced professional with 16 years experience in the APAC geosciences sector.  Her expertise spans a wide spectrum of projects, showcasing her versatility and proficiency.  Her role at Klarite is marked by her strategic communication skills, allowing her to bridge technical intricacies with clear insights for stakeholders, clients and regulatory bodies.  Sarah’s passion for collaboration shines as she thrives in multi-disciplinary teams, leveraging diverse expertise to devise innovative solutions that address complex challenges.

An advocate for positive change, she believes in leveraging stakeholder engagement to drive social responsibility, ethical practices, and meaningful contributions to the community.  Her approach prioritises involving stakeholders and local communities, ensuring their concerns and insights are woven into project planning and execution.