Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee
Inquiry into Community Consultation Practices
Accepting submissions | The LC Environment and Planning Committee is accepting submissions until Friday 6 June 2025.
Inquiry into Community Consultation Practices
On 31 July 2024, the Legislative Council agreed to the following motion:
That this House requires the Environment and Planning Committee to inquire into, consider and report, by 28 February 2026, on —
(a) community consultation practices done by, and on behalf of, state and local government and statutory authorities, and providers of essential services such as utilities, in Victoria;
(b) the use of non-government providers to do consultations on behalf of government agencies;
(c) standards of conduct, including preparedness, to be expected in community consultations;
(d) groups or regions who are underrepresented by existing consultation practices, and options to improve their engagement;
(e) the Engage Victoria platform, its use and effectiveness, and areas for improvement; and
(f) best practice community consultation in other jurisdictions in Australia and other comparable countries.
Snapshot of inquiry
The Committee is looking at how state and local government, statutory authorities and essential service providers consult with communities and whether certain groups or regions are underrepresented by existing consultation practices.
Community input
Submissions can be made online until Friday 6 June 2025. They will be progressively published here on the website.
What’s next?
The Committee will hold public hearings, including in regional Victoria to gather evidence from individuals and organisations. A final report to parliament is due by 28 February 2026.
Contact us
Write
Parliament of Victoria
Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee
Parliament House, Spring Street
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002