Sydney Roadshow - A Question for Grant, page-13

"was immediately discounted as he believes with a project this size that you need a social licence to get it permitted with all of the necessary approvals and funding requirements."

Hi Prop. I don't understand how this would exclude the company from going private. If they can meet the criteria for funding then why would it matter if it's publicly or privately owned?
And what's to stop the likes of someone like a Cannon Brookes, or two, funding it by raising the necessary capex amount all on their own, using their own assets/wealth as security.