I think it's extremely important, because that is what can lead to collaboration and support for these development projects. I think we've seen projects quashed because indigenous people weren't involved in them until the last minute and the projects didn't align with their priorities.
The challenge with the smaller projects is that by not formally reviewing and approving these and using these letters of advice, the department is shirking its duty to consult with indigenous people. They're not notified that those projects are occurring. They're not consulted on them, and they're not being involved in the development or the consultation on a regulation that could allow those projects to move forward.
There is a pathway to consulting with indigenous people on those that doesn't involve project-by-project consultation, but that's not being pursued either at this time.