Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288:reg:2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2
Character Range: 3067103–3068520

2                   Benefits of community engagement and risk communication
When managed well, community engagement and risk communication can benefit the assessment and management of site contamination by helping site managers to:
    * understand public perceptions and concerns, and more accurately anticipate community response to actions and decisions
    * increase the effectiveness of risk management decisions and empower the community by involving them
    * improve communication and trust and reduce unwarranted tension between the wider community and decision-makers
    * explain risk more effectively, to ensure that the community gains a more accurate understanding of the risks.
Simply distributing information without regard for the complexities and uncertainties of the issues does not ensure effective engagement and risk communication. A well-developed community engagement plan will help ensure that messages and actions are constructively formulated, communicated and received.

Two-way engagement, which effectively conveys information and enables community participation in the decision-making process, can provide significant cost savings and improve credibility for organisations involved in site assessment. The community also benefits by contributing to: improved risk assessment inputs, increased ownership of negotiated decision processes, and more acceptable site-management options.