Public consultation is the practice of seeking the public's views on a proposal before a decision is finalized. It is a specific level of engagement — gathering feedback on options that have already been drafted — and is often a legal requirement for plans, developments, and regulations.
Where consultation sits in the engagement spectrum
On the IAP2 Spectrum, consultation is the second level: the public is asked for feedback, and the agency commits to listen and acknowledge concerns, but retains the decision. It is more than informing and less than collaborating — a distinction worth being honest about, because over-promising influence erodes trust.
Running a credible consultation
A credible consultation reaches the people actually affected, presents options clearly, gives enough time to respond, and closes the loop by showing what was heard and how it was used. Digital channels broaden reach beyond those who can attend in person, and structured input makes the resulting record easier to analyze and report.
