The need for place-based models of ocean governance—such as regional and marine spatial planning—is becoming increasingly urgent as Australia navigates the challenges of emerging ocean industries like offshore wind and aquaculture. Community responses to these industries underscore the significance of place, with tangible differences observed across proposals in different regions. The rapid expansion of new marine developments has also revealed a critical gap: without systematic marine spatial planning, communities have little opportunity to shape the future of ocean use in their local area.
This talk explores pragmatic opportunities to strengthen how governance systems incorporate the needs, aspirations, and values of local communities. Drawing on recent research into community responses to offshore wind in the Illawarra, it will examine how innovations in participatory planning might be used to foster empathy, broaden understanding of diverse viewpoints, and support co-design processes that maximize co-benefits. Without explicit attention to engagement and negotiation, marine spatial planning risks becoming a technocratic exercise which feeds community division and polarisation rather than a truly participatory and inclusive process. To ensure that spatial and regional planning strategies are not only robust but also equitable, we must reimagine how we engage communities in shaping the future of Australia’s oceans.