Hydro Resource Evaluation Tool

public acceptability and engagement

Some General Principles of Public Engagement

Approach engagement as a two way process of both informing and listening.
Be open and honest in your interactions with others.
Remember that people can have very different perspectives and opinions than your own – listen carefully and try to understand these, rather than rejecting them out of hand.
Remember that there are many ‘sub groups’ within ‘the public’, with particular interests, concerns or characteristics.
Recognise that people can have considerable expertise about their local area, its history, its conservation and heritage value and the way that rivers and surrounding environments behave and change over time.
Find ways in which your project may provide benefits to local people – from an educational resource through to a share of income from electricity generated.
Recognise that good engagement requires the dedication of effort and resources and should not be approached as an ‘after thought’.
Begin your engagement from the earliest stage possible, when plans are still evolving and there are opportunities for discussion and changes to be made – avoid the DAD ‘decide-announce-defend’ syndrome.