Offshore Wind: Engaging Diverse Communities for Better Energy Projects

As Australia’s offshore wind industry continues to develop, one lesson is becoming increasingly clear: successful engagement starts with recognising that there is no single “community”.

Unlike many land-based infrastructure projects, offshore wind proposals affect a diverse range of communities with different relationships to the same stretch of coastline. Commercial fishers, recreational fishers, Traditional Owners, tourism operators, environmental groups, local businesses, councils and nearby residents may all have different interests, values and expectations.

For engagement professionals, understanding that diversity is just as important as understanding the project itself.

One project, many communities

The Australian Government has now declared offshore wind areas in Gippsland, the Hunter, and the Illawarra, creating opportunities for developers to apply for feasibility licences and begin environmental studies and community engagement.

Throughout these processes, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has emphasised that consultation with affected communities, First Nations peoples and marine users is a critical part of project development—not a one-off activity before approvals are granted.

That reflects a broader shift occurring across the energy sector.

Good engagement is no longer about presenting information to a community. It’s about recognising that different stakeholder groups will experience the same project in very different ways.

Different stakeholders need different conversations

Consider an offshore wind proposal.

Traditional Owners may seek engagement that recognises cultural authority, Country and the long-term relationships communities have with land and sea. Engagement Institute’s Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Guidelines highlight the importance of culturally safe engagement that respects self-determination, builds relationships over time and supports meaningful participation.

Commercial fishers may be concerned about access to fishing grounds and future livelihoods. Tourism operators may be focused on the region’s identity and visitor economy, while local businesses may see opportunities for investment and employment. Nearby residents may simply want clear, transparent information about what the project means for their community.

These perspectives aren’t competing—they’re complementary, and each requires a different engagement approach.

Effective engagement recognises that every group brings different knowledge, priorities and lived experiences to the conversation.

Showing communities their voices matter

One example is the consultation undertaken for the Illawarra offshore wind zone.

Following public consultation, the Australian Government refined the declared area by reducing its size, moving it further offshore and excluding environmentally sensitive areas after considering community feedback and technical advice.

Whether people agreed with the final outcome or not, the process demonstrated an important principle of good engagement: communities are more likely to participate when they can see how their input has influenced decision-making.

For engagement professionals, closing the feedback loop is often just as important as collecting feedback in the first place.

Lessons beyond offshore wind

While offshore wind presents unique challenges, the engagement lessons extend across the energy sector.

Whether the project is a wind farm, battery, transmission line or network upgrade, engagement professionals are increasingly working with diverse communities, each with different interests, expectations and relationships with place.

Successful engagement starts by recognising that diversity, creating opportunities for meaningful participation and tailoring conversations to the people affected—not assuming one engagement approach will suit everyone.

As Australia’s energy transition continues, these skills will only become more important.

Successfully engaging diverse communities starts with recognising that different people experience the same project in different ways. For more practical guidance on designing inclusive engagement that supports meaningful participation, explore our Inclusive and Accessible Engagement Hub, which brings together resources, tools and leading practice guidance for working with diverse communities.