In 2016 we were contracted by the Cooma Country University Centre to provide information that helped them successfully lobby Federal and State Government to provide funding for the establishment of multiple Country University Centres across NSW. We used 2016 Census information and research to establish and rate possible locations based on factors including: population; travel times; nearness to other facilities and demographics.
Batemans Bay Town Centre Audit and Assessment
In early 2016 we were contracted by Eurobodalla Council to undertake an audit of the central business district and provide a snapshot of available commercial space and potential future needs for their Planning Department.
Worksafe NSW Investigation Process Review
In early 2017, we were contracted by the Worksafe NSW to evaluate their Investigation of serious incidences process. This work included: a literature review; interviews with all stakeholders including Inspectors, businesses and next of kin/ and or injured parties and bench-marking against other jurisdictions. The work was completed in mid 2017.
Additional Survey Analysis
In June 2018 we were contracted to provide some additional analysis on the data collected as part of a community survey looking at options for the possible redevelopment of the Gold Creek Golf Estate and Village. We provided some additional demographic information and drilled deeper into the results to provide a better understanding to the developers of the community’s concerns around the potential re-development of existing facilities.
Jobs and Growth Insight
In April this year we developed a Jobs and Growth Insight publication in conjunction with the Southern Inland RDA and the seven Councils in the region. The report and individual documents were designed to provide information on opportunities for people wanting to move to the area for work or business. This project was funded by the NSW State Government.
Project Update
Simone Annis is currently working with our Associate, Julian Webb from Creeda Projects on an evaluation of the Canberra Innovation Network. This project is due for completion by the end of November.
WorkCover NSW evaluation 2009
In 2009, we prepard a comprehensive evaluation framework for the WorkCover NSW Three Year Small Business Plan activities. This work involved close collaboration with WorkCover staff to determine the use of existing data, potential for better use of WorkCover data, and the requirements of evaluation of activities. The Action Plan drew on these discussions and literature review to set out a carefully structured approach to assessing the effectiveness of the 3 Year Small Business Plan, using a mix of information from existing sources, targeted surveys, interviews and case studies. The Action Plan commented on the strengths and weaknesses of different evaluation tools and presented an ‘analysis map’ to guide WorkCover staff in running program-specific and group-wide evaluation activities.
In 2009 we also undertook an evaluation of WorkCover’s Small Business Forums program – using interviews with a mix of stakeholders including participants, WorkCover staff and Forum facilitators. The evaluation was undertaken 12 months into the Forums program and assessed the extent to which the Forums were meeting their stated aims.
Advisory Project
In 2012-13 Kim was an adviser to the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet and member of a Steering Committee managing a review of the cost of regulation to NSW small and medium businesses, and collection of a series of case studies.
New Website
We are currently updating our website and apoligise for any missing links, wrong links or bits which don’t make sense!! We are working on it.
Booms and busts, what does the future hold for Mackay?
I’ve been in Mackay again this week, my third visit in about 5 years. And what a great place it is and what an interesting period it has been. Mackay is the regional service centre and port town for the Bowen Basin, an area with large volumes of coking (metallurgical) and thermal (steaming for electricity generation) coal.
Mackay is a standout “muscle town”, a moniker that was coined, I suspect, by well known demographer Bernard Salt, who is very good at finding a catchy name for a demographic phenomenon.
A muscle town is one that has seen rapid growth through a role as regional centre servicing a large mining area. So it is not the mine-site village. It is the ‘big smoke’ a couple of hundred kilometres away which has become the port (often literally) through which a mining region or a mining basin is accessed, and through which a…
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