Projects

Community engagement for offshore wind developments

RPS’ communications and engagement specialists have worked with multiple offshore wind developers to seek community support for potential projects off Victoria’s coast.

Engagement required for offshore licences

In December 2022, the Australian Government declared the first area – off the Gippsland coast in Victoria – as suitable for offshore wind energy development.

Developers are in the process of seeking feasibility licences, and part of the criteria to obtain one is to engage with a range of stakeholders in a meaningful and lasting way.

Several international offshore wind developers appointed RPS to create and facilitate engagement programs for proposed offshore wind projects in the declared zone.

How RPS delivered for developers

RPS worked with the developers to design and implement communications and engagement strategies for the offshore wind projects, including separate strategies for engagement with First Nations peoples.

Our consultants delivered a wide range of services, including:

In depth stakeholder and community research and mapping,
Social advisory expertise to develop unique evidence bases for each project,
Development of strategic positioning, including impactful narratives to explain the need and benefits of the projects,
Conducting community research via focus groups,
Facilitating meetings with key government and industry stakeholders,
Developing clear and compelling communications collateral including information boards, fact sheets, brochures and diagrams,
Representing developers at various community engagement and information events in Gippsland.

RPS’ approach of early engagement and on-the-ground presence was appreciated by the local community and enabled the developers to undertake meaningful discussions and build foundational relationships.