Optimising your organisation

Currently public and private organisations are being challenged in a whole range of ways. The Institute for Regional Futures can offer support and assistance, through advisory, research insights and analysis, in a range of ways.

Our team will partner with your organisation to improve performance and delivery, and strengthen capability.

We offer expertise in the following:

  • Policy advisory and implementation
  • Governance, strategic planning and finance
  • Service delivery reviews
  • Workforce planning
  • Strategic asset management
  • Strategy, organisation and place

Recent work in organisation development

Western Sydney City Deal 2021 Evaluation

Western Parkland City Authority

The Western Sydney City Deal is a tri-level government partnership between the federal and state governments, and eight local councils. The key objective of the City Deal is to plan and deliver the necessary infrastructure to support the establishment of the Western Parkland City. The Deal also aims to leverage the catalytic investment opportunity provided by the new Western Sydney Airport and the innovation hub of the Aerotropolis.

The Institute was engaged to undertake the first cycle of this City Deal’s evaluation which is crucial to tracking progress and providing accountability. A focus for the team was on the collaboration and governance processes. Drawing on insights across the three levels of government the findings from this work are key to shaping and resourcing the ambitions of the City Deal in delivering 200,000 jobs in the Western Parkland City.

Economic development strategy background study

Dantia

Dantia is the economic development arm of Lake Macquarie City Council. It is an independent company with a commercial focus on creating opportunities for economic development in the city.

Dantia engaged the Institute to assist with the development of its 2022-2036 Economic Development Strategy. The team identified the enablers and barriers for the city’s economic development. This was determined through demographic and other data analysis, plus stakeholder interviews . The team’s recommendations ensured DANTIA new 10-year strategy was based on the latest evidence.

Corporate image and communications service review

Dubbo Regional Council 

Quality communication and engagement is a priority for all councils. However, gaps in capability and capacity can be a barrier, particularly for regional councils.

Dubbo Regional Council appointed the Institute team to review its media and communication services. The project considered the range of activities provided by Council. Where there were gaps, the team proposed steps to develop best-practice communication programs that were sustainable and effective. The  team's recommendations drove improvements in Council’s communication services. This applied to both internal and external stakeholders.

Service Delivery Framework

Dungog Shire Council

Local  governments across Australia often ‘do more with less’ as they respond to community needs, and adhere to increasingly complex governance and regulatory systems. This places a priority on financial sustainability and finding efficiencies, while at the same time continuing to provide quality services to the community.

Dungog Shire Council engaged the team to assist with the development of a service delivery framework. The highly collaborative co-design process included a data review, key stakeholder interviews and a workshop. We delivered 41 recommendations designed to address service gaps and improve delivery to the Dungog Shire community.

Analysis of flexible and remote working

Lake Macquarie City Council

The Covid pandemic has transformed the way we work with increased flexibility and remote working now part of the ‘new normal’. Maintaining a productive and positive organisational culture in the midst of this change is a priority for many organisations.

The team was commissioned by Lake Macquarie City Council to review potential future working arrangements including flexible and remote working. Eleven recommendations provided a roadmap for Council to work within the new paradigm. At the same time, the team sought to:

preserve the culture, vision and values of the workplace; deliver great customer service; attract, train and retain staff; and be valued as a great place to work.