Clare Wall (B EC, Dip Rec Pl, M Pub Pol) has joined the Canberra team. Until recently Clare was working
with the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs,
where she was the Branch Head with responsibility for housing and homelessness policy and programs.
As part of this role Clare was responsible for supporting the work of the National Housing Supply Council,
negotiations with States and Territories on social housing and homelessness programs and housing market
analysis. Clare has also worked for the ACT Government in the housing and planning portfolios and in the
ACT Chief Minister's office.
Canberra team has welcomed the return of Fernando Ramirez, (BA Econ (Hons), MA Econ). Fernando is
an experienced econometrician with expertise across a broad range of areas including project evaluation,
feasibility & impact studies, public policy research & evaluation and econometric modelling.
Jobs galore, but where are the workers?
The Australian Financial Review recently reported on aspects of research by SGS, which shows that population
growth in provincial Victoria may not be sufficient to support its employment potential by 2026. Besides
forecasting employment growth SGS considered trends and drivers in population, labour force and employment
growth; regions most likely to capture growth; and the implications for labour productivity-enhancing
investment in infrastructure and skills development and for immigration policy.
(details at http://www.sgsep.com.au/news)
Are we future proofing Perth? Implications of not addressing the housing needs of Perth's
future generation.
SGS Associate Director Praveen Thakur's paper to the PIA WA 2010 conference presented analysis
showing that the supply of medium to high density (MHD) dwellings in metropolitan Perth over the years to
2031 is likely to fall short of demand. Unless addressed, the shortfall could have adverse effects on
housing affordability, triple bottom line outcomes and Western Australia's economic performance,
according to SGS modelling. However, preventing these adverse effects by providing medium to high
density dwellings in appropriate locations could reap the state an economic dividend.
(details at http://www.sgsep.com.au/news)
How technology can help shape Local Government Service delivery: the ‘21st Century Town Square'.
Councillor Magazine published an article by SGS Directors Sasha Lennon and Dr Marcus Spiller, with
Peter Cumming (Managing Director of Urban Systems Pty Ltd). The article discusses how given the size
of many local government jurisdictions throughout Australia today, an LGA can perhaps best be thought of
as a ‘commonwealth of communities'. In this context, Community Hubs and emerging technology could
enable more effective delivery of local government services, and enhance local government's role as an
‘enabler' of community development.
(details at http://www.sgsep.com.au/news)
The Making of the Poly-Centric State: Can It Be Done?
The Victorian Government's regional development plan, ‘Ready for Tomorrow: A Blueprint for Regional and
Rural Victoria' seeks to support additional population and economic growth in provincial Victoria, in a
poly-centric state where large regional cities connected by high quality transport networks would offer jobs,
services and opportunities similar to those in Melbourne. SGSs Melbourne August quarterly seminar
explored what this vision means for Victoria and whether it can be realised.
(details at http://www.sgsep.com.au/publications)
Australian Settlement Futures: The Role of the Commonwealth in Urban and Regional Planning.
In a paper to the NSW PIA Conference 2010 SGS Director Patrick Fensham proposed six key roles the
Australian government could assume in addressing urban and regional planning in Australia.
(details at http://www.sgsep.com.au/publications)