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.
|
Category |
Example (Who) |
Why it can be relevant |
|
Cultural & Spiritual |
Registered Native Title holders / RNTBCs / PBCs within or adjacent to the project area; Traditional Owners with sea-country responsibilities in the area |
Cultural heritage, spiritual connections, and customary practices tied to the marine area could be affected by timing, access, or potential impacts. |
|
Commercial Fishing |
License holders targeting species within/near the operational area or EMBA (e.g., tuna longliners, trap and line operators) |
Potential displacement, interaction with gear, safety zones, stock or habitat impacts, or timing conflicts with peak fishing seasons. |
|
Recreational & Charter |
Skippers running dive, whale-watching, or fishing charters in the affected area |
Navigational exclusions, schedule disruptions, client safety/access. |
|
Aquaculture |
Operators with leases near the proposed area (e.g., shellfish, finfish) |
Water quality risks, biosecurity concerns, interference with farm infrastructure, changes to marine traffic. |
|
Ports & Marine Logistics |
Port authorities, pilotage providers, vessel traffic services |
Traffic management, safety zones, anchorage use, emergency response coordination. |
|
Environmental & Conservation |
Marine NGOs with active programs tied to the species/area (e.g., turtle, cetacean or seabird conservation in the specific region) |
Research programs, data and management insights relevant to local species, habitats, and mitigation effectiveness. |
|
Tourism |
Regional tourism bodies or operators whose products depend on the affected marine area (e.g., coastal eco-tours) |
Temporary changes to amenity or access that could influence visitor experience. |
|
Community & Representative Bodies |
Marine focused community associations adjacent to the operation; representative bodies authorised to speak for their members |
Local knowledge about environmental values, usage patterns, or community risks. |
|
Emergency Services & Response |
State/territory marine rescue, oil spill response organisations |
Interface with emergency preparedness, incident response planning, and resource deployment. |
|
Education and Research Bodies |
Universities or research institutes with ongoing projects in the activity footprint (e.g., tagging programs) |
Data on species movement, baseline conditions, and cumulative impacts; coordination to avoid interference. |
|
Government Agencies |
Fisheries, environment, maritime safety, heritage agencies with statutory roles in the area |
Regulatory functions and information relevant to risk assessment, protected matters, and management measures. |
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.
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