Large-Scale Infrastructure and ‘Public Consultation’

In recent years there has been a rapid increase in public controversy when it comes to projects involving large-scale infrastructure - citizens the world over now demand their own say in the development of these major projects, both at local and national levels.

Projects ranging from the development of road and rail infrastructure, waste treatment plants, communication infrastructure, as well as both on and offshore wind farms, are all frequently objected to by members of the public.

Closer to home, there are many recent examples of contentious Irish infrastructure projects across the energy, transport, healthcare, accommodation, housing, and waste management sectors.

However, instead of viewing it as a hindrance, project managers can accept this public opposition as an opportunity to improve on decision-making by actively involving the individuals, groups, and organisations with a stake in the project.

This can be achieved through a regulatory process known as ‘public consultation’.

What is public consultation?

A public consultation is a useful tool for managing two-way communication between a project sponsor and the public. Its main goals are to improve efficiency, transparency, and public involvement in large-scale projects.

This type of involvement generally increases a project’s long-term viability, while also helping to enhance its benefits to locally affected people, as well as other relevant stakeholders.

Who exactly are the public in this scenario?

Consulting with the public involves working with those who are either directly or indirectly affected by a project, as well as other interested parties who have the ability to influence a project’s outcome, either positively or negatively.

These are known as ‘stakeholders’, and may include ‘project-affected people’ such as:

• Individuals and families living near the project, or indigenous groups and their traditional leaders.

• The project sponsor, public sector representatives such as local elected officials, or local and central government departments.

• Organisations such as local, national, or international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), universities, research centres, or religious groups.

• Other private sector companies or business associations.

Why consult the public?

The clear answer here is that the public should have a definitive say in decisions about actions that could potentially affect their own lives. However, from the point of view of the project, consultation with stakeholders is, in fact, also vital. After all, public opposition is one of the main and the least predictable risks to successful large-scale infrastructure projects.

As a clear benefit, public consultation can play a critical role in raising awareness of a project’s positive impacts. It can also help to gain agreement on management and technical approaches, maximising benefits, while also reducing negative consequences.

As well as this, good public consultation can generate positive financial and commercial benefits for a project sponsor, such as:

• Reduced financial risk.

• Reduced direct costs.

• Increased market share.

• Enhanced social benefits for local communities.

Would you like to know more?

If you’d like to know more about ‘Public Consultation’ and how it can affect large-scale projects, as well as strategies on public participation in general, why not have a look at our own internationally recognised Global CPD course?

Check out our modules here.