Planning inspired by fresh thinking

Good planning hinges on access to the latest data and skilled interpretation which brings insights of value to organisations. In partnership, our team of data analysts build the evidence-base to provide the insights needed to inform quality planning and delivery.

Our areas of expertise include:

  • Strategic planning
  • Population / demographic analysis
  • Social and economic research
  • Social impact assessments
  • Economic assessments and analysis
  • Feasibility studies

Recent work to support planning and delivery

Circular Economy Living Lab

Lake Macquarie City Council

The transition to a low carbon future is a challenge for Australia’s regions, in particular those that rely on a carbon-based economy. The University and Lake Macquarie City Council have a shared commitment to building greater economic, social and environmental sustainability. This commitment has led to the establishment of Australia’s first Circular Economy Living Lab (CELL).

The Institute team was engaged to develop the evidence-base needed to support the development of a strategy and operational plan for the CELL. Building on a strong body of work on the circular economy by the region’s stakeholders, the team assessed the policy environment, potential funding sources, the current state-of-play in the Hunter and international examples of good practice. The team also identified and assessed a potential site for the CELL.

Program evaluation: Local Strategic Planning Statements in regional NSW local governments

NSW Department of Planning and Environment

In March 2018, amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (the EP&A Act) introduced a new requirement for local councils to develop a Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS). The LSPS’s are designed to set out Council’s planning priorities which both meet the community’s needs and deliver key State and regional planning objectives.

The Institute’s team was engaged to review the processes and outcomes of the then NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Regional Local Strategic Planning Statements Program. The methodology included analysis of the plans of 31 local governments; and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders within and external to government. The results from the project strengthen local and regional planning in regional NSW.

Evaluation of New Move

City of Newcastle

New Move is an economic development initiative by the City of Newcastle. It is designed to attract skilled professionals and entrepreneurs from Australia’s capital cities to relocate and invest in the city. The initiative provided 30 successful applicants with a $10,000 relocation grant. It also offered a tailored program of networking opportunities and support.

The City commissioned the team to evaluate the initiative. The team assessed its effectiveness in attracting people to relocate to Newcastle. They also projected its longer-term contribution to economic and social outcomes in the city. The outcomes provided learnings for Newcastle and insights that can be applied more broadly to migration and workforce attraction to regional cities.

Great Koala National Park economic impact assessment and environmental benefit analysis

Bellingen Shire Council, Coffs Harbour City Council, Destination North Coast NSW and the Great Koala National Park project

The Great Koala National Park is Australia’s first proposed national park dedicated to protecting koalas. The site on the NSW Mid North Coast includes two koala metapopulations and would protect an area that is home to around 20 per cent of the NSW koala population habitat. As well as protecting fauna, the park was anticipated to deliver economic and additional environmental outcomes for the region.

The team was engaged to conduct an economic impact assessment and an environmental benefit analysis on the proposed national park. The landmark study projected additional regional economic output of $1.2 billion over the next 15 years, and $1.7 billion in biodiversity value nationally. The findings provided the evidence-base for continued advocacy to establish the park.

Study of the commuting population

Lake Macquarie City Council

Many regional councils face the challenge of members of their community commuting daily from their local area to neighbouring cities and regions for work. Called out-commuting, this practice is known to limit local economies and impact community health and wellbeing.

Lake Macquarie City Council commissioned the team to conduct a study to understand the demographics of the area’s commuting population and the industries they work in. The team found that out-commuters represent 50% of the resident workforce and work in industries such as healthcare, education and construction. The team also identified drivers and barriers to business locating in the LGA. Council is using this information to attract targeted sectors, and incentivise out-commuters to find work and stay the area.

Refresh of Central NSW Tourism Strategy

Central NSW Joint Organisation

Tourism is widely acknowledged as a key contributor to regional socio-economic development. The Central NSW region is unique in the state as an area of high agricultural value. It also has untapped potential to develop its visitor economy.

The team was engaged by Central NSW Joint Organisation to refresh the existing tourism strategy for the area. The team's work covered three areas:

  • reviewing the region's competitive advantage
  • benchmarking its tourism offerings with like regions
  • identifying barriers and opportunities for collaboration.

The team’s strategy was designed to develop a way forward for Central NSW to expand the quality and scale of its offering for visitors to the region.

Classification for government funding

City of Newcastle

The NSW Government classifies Newcastle as ‘metropolitan’ in many funding and grant pools. This classification means that the City is not eligible to apply for many schemes offering a pathway to significant regional funding for key infrastructure.

The team was commissioned to document the impacts of this classification for the city and the wider region. Examining state funding pools earmarked for regional NSW, the team calculated that there is $5.85 billion allocated to regional NSW for which the Newcastle LGA is ineligible to apply. The team’s work provided the evidence-base needed to continue advocacy to have the classification reviewed.