Dialogues for Sustainability: Indigenous Participation and Relational Power

McGrath N¹*, Marinova D¹, Hartz-Karp J²& Newman P¹

1. Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy (ISTP) Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
2. Office of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Maylands, Western Australia, Australia

The very essence of sustainability is expressed through overarching principles that require participation, dialogue and a process approach that accounts for difference in order to implement sustainability at the local and regional levels. The ‘politics of inclusion’ more generally has certainly had enormous influence over the affairs of public policy in recent years. No longer can decisions be left solely to government or the market, decision-making requires ‘jazz and synergy’ in flexible partnerships between these sectors and with civil society groups. Dancing to this tune will require attention to the participatory and partnership skills required. An essential principle for professional participatory practice is reflection, analysis and theoretical development. This paper aims to reflect upon two related case studies of participatory practice in Western Australia. The first is called Dialogue with the City and was held in September 2003 in the urban centre of Perth. The second is called Dialogue with the Pilbara: Newman Tomorrow and was held in September 2004 in Newman, a small remote mining town in the heart of the Pilbara. Both were initiated by the WA Minster for Planning and Infrastructure and involved substantial partnership between government and industry (particularly in the second case) seeking community input. This paper will provide a background to the driving forces that led to the two Dialogues and will also compare and analyse both processes in accordance with international standards of participatory and democratic theory and practice to determine whether Western Australia is experiencing a new era of participatory planning.

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