The State of Infrastructure and Engagement Survey is Australia’s longest running study into how community engagement, social risk and social license influence delivery of Australia’s major projects, according to professionals in the sector. In 2025-2026, the study will be delivered in Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time, supported by Infrastructure New Zealand.
Now in its eighth year, the State of Infrastructure and Engagement clearly demonstrates how important community and stakeholder concerns are to on-time, on-budget project delivery. More importantly, the study shows how engagement, risk management and attention to building trust in relationships with communities delivers benefits.
“Community and stakeholder pressure continues to be a real issue for infrastructure delivery. Our data over five consecutive years shows that industry professionals rate ‘stakeholder and community pressure’ as one of the top three most influential factors contributing to project delays,” said I2S Director, Professor Sara Bice.
“In our 8th Annual Survey we are contining to investigate these long range issues. This year’s survey also takes a deep dive into the rapidly emerging issue of mis/disinformation and how it’s affecting project delivery. For our colleagues in New Zealand, we’re taking a special deep dive focus on project politicisation, cumulative impacts and place-based approaches.”
“Over the past 12 months the level of interest from industry in these topics has skyrocketed. Governments, investors and developers are increasingly asking how major infrastructure developments can identify and manage mis/disinformation. Practitioners know place-based approaches can deliver better social value but struggle with implementation within policy and regulatory regimes geared towards project-by-project approaches. We’re hearing similar concerns from community members who participated in our Australian Perspectives on Infrastructure (API) study.”
“We took a deep dive into these topics with this 8th survey and we’ll present the results in early 2026.”
About the 8th Annual State of Infrastructure & Engagement Survey
Year on year, infrastructure professionals tell us that stakeholder engagement is one of the most critical factors influencing project outcomes. The State of Infrastructure & Engagement provides an important, annual opportunity to check in with the sector about the key engagement and social issues that effect Australia’s infrastructure pipeline and delivery.
Want to know more about the research?
Keep reading for details on our ethics protocols:
Who is participating in the survey?
This survey targets professionals working in or with Australia’s infrastructure industry. Should you wish to participate, the survey will take 20-30 minutes to complete.
Our State of Infrastructure and Engagement annual survey focuses on those working in the sector in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
To find out what members of the Australian public are saying about infrastructure delivery, engagement, social risk and trust in the sector to deliver the projects Australia needs, check out our Australian Perspectives on Infrastructure Survey Series.
Why does it matter?
The purpose of this survey is to help to identify and address the knowledge gaps in engagement, social risk management and social licence, as identified by industry participants during our 2017 pilot research project and in doing so to:
• build understanding of best practice to improve community and environmental outcomes from major infrastructure delivery
• deliver the tools and evidence base to improve decision-making and project outcomes
• support the professionalisation of engagement as a discipline.
Who’s doing this research?
The research is being led by the ANU I2S (Institute for Infrastructure in Society) within the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University.
This study is funded by the ANU and is part of a broader program of work with our project partners listed on our website. The project has the unconditional approval of the ANU Human Research Ethics Committee (Protocol no. 2023/234).
How will my contribution be used?
Survey results will provide the foundation for industry discussions, and academic publications, such as journal articles and conference papers. It will also inform future research in this area.
Is it anonymous and confidential?
The confidentiality of your responses will be protected to the fullest possible extent, within the limits of the law. Your name and contact details will be kept in a separate, password-protected computer file from any data that you supply.
Download the Participant Information Sheet here: SI&E 2025 participant info sheet_public,
ANU Human Research Ethics Protocol no.2023/234.