The Right to Contribute

For almost half a century, the right to contribute has been part of the planning process. It is a right that has led to contentious debate, both about the process of participation and the matters around which participation takes place. In this chapter, we consider these debates through the lens of four dilemmas that have been recognized in Australia, and internationally, as constituting the dynamic nature of community engagement: rights and recognition; values; registers of rationality and emotion; and actions outside the planning system. For each we provide historical context, discuss emblematic cases, and feature current concerns.