VOLUME 1 2013
Understanding the affordability challenge as a continuum....view article online
Housing affordability issues are not confined to high need households dependent on transfer payments. They also affect moderate income households and key workers. The broad objective of policy should be to provide choices for households right along this continuum, and assist households to move away from dependence on highly subsidised social housing.
Baby Boomers, housing and productivity....view article online
The ageing of Australia's ‘Baby Boomers', and where they live, will likely have implications for employment opportunity and productivity - and not only for the boomers themselves. Recent housing research and information from the 2011 census points to implications for access to employment and workforce productivity.
Cost Benefit Analysis - key features and future directions....view article online
Cost Benefit Analysis is regularly applied to evaluate the economic merits of policy proposals, plans and projects, during business case preparation, regulatory impact assessments and evaluation of strategic planning options. With this in mind, everyone concerned with public policy can benefit from being aware of the key features of CBA, and importantly, its limitations and how it might evolve further.
Considering investment facilitation....view article online
For decades, State and Territory Governments in Australia have been engaged in ‘investment facilitation' comprising both the attraction of footloose projects that might otherwise land in other jurisdictions and encouragement of re-investment by already hosted firms. But there is agreement that regular and rigorous evaluation of the net community impact of investment facilitation programs is essential.
SGS News Vol 1 2013..... view online
Staff News; Introducing SGS's Area of Service Leaders; SGS Occasional paper - Planning directions for metropolitan Sydney; Presentations and papers
VOLUME 3 2012
Leveraging sustainability and prosperity from resources view article online
Australia's resources sector is driving national prosperity. But as evident in Queensland, most of that wealth is captured by our major cities while local communities in remote resource are not necessarily benefiting from the boom. Recognising that cities and mining regions need each other to prosper in the knowledge economy is central to finding policy solutions.
Designing development contributions systems view article online
Timely provision of neighbourhood infrastructure is crucial to the well being and productivity of communities in both greenfield and regeneration areas. In framing much needed reforms in this area, it is important to be clear on definitions and some basic principles for efficient and fair funding.
Urban Infrastructure: Finance and Management view article online
A new book, ‘Urban Infrastructure: Finance and Management' is posited on a strong belief that the physical structure of cities and the efficiency of infrastructure services delivered are driven by efficiencies within individual infrastructure sectors, lessons learnt across these sectors and the ability to co-ordinate and integrate sectors to generate economies of scale.
Funding local government tourism infrastructure and marketing view article online
Local government could consider various methods of funding infrastructure specifically or substantially for tourists and for destination promotion. Rating criteria suggest which may be most suitable.
Ageing: how much, and where? view article online
Recently released 2011 ABS Census data enables a fresh analysis by SGS of the spatial distribution of population ageing in Australia over the 15 years to 2011.
SGS News Vol 3 2012 view article online
Study released on urban form's influence on national productivity. Library Dividend report launched in Brisbane. Presentations and papers on: Local government and economic development; Planning regulation and economic impact; and Town centre reinforcement. Staff news.
VOLUME 2 2012
Comparing Effective Job Density in Sydney and Melbourne view article online
Our cities' importance for economic growth is underpinned by agglomeration economies - their ability to offer productivity and human capital benefits for people and businesses. Comparing Effective Job Density (EJD) in Sydney and Melbourne gives insights into these cities' potential as long term platforms for sustaining an agglomeration advantage.
Census reveals the ‘Australian Dream' is evolving view article online
SGSEP analysis of 2011 ABS Census data suggests that under housing affordability pressures, the typical ‘Australian dream' of owning your own home on a quarter acre block is evolving, with many now making trade-offs between a big detached house in an outer suburban location and a smaller apartment in a well serviced location.
The music industry's economic contribution to City of Melbourne view article online
The music industry is a valuable contributor to the Melbourne and the wider Victorian economies. SGSEP research commissioned by City of Melbourne provides a better understanding of the structure of the music industry in Melbourne, and the size of economic contributions the sector is making.
What influences foreign direct investment? view article online
Attracting direct or physical investment into a nation, or region, undoubtedly has economic benefits. It lifts the productive base from which firms produce goods and services, bringing immediate and ongoing economic production benefits. What drives external investors making investment decisions? What factors do external investors consider when considering location choices?
Urban form and disadvantage view article online
Considering the characteristics of three Australian locations where there is high social disadvantage raises the question: is their urban form further reinforcing disadvantage?
SGS News volume 2 2012 view article online
SGSEP Seminars; Staff News; Presentations and papers; SGSEP in the news
VOLUME 1 2012
Download pdf of full issue (2 Meg)
Can congestion pricing do the job of urban growth boundaries? view article online
Could user-pays road pricing induce more efficient urban form - replacing urban growth boundary policy? Modelling from Germany and the US throws light on this question....
Visitor Information Centres: roles, trends and success factors view article online
A shift in the role of Visitor Information Centres means they are no longer simply providers of information, but are now also centres of business generation for their regions. What do recent trends and research suggest about the ingredients for successful Visitor Information Centres?
Green growth versus no growth - some concepts and issues view article online
The case for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is gaining political support. However, advice to governments on the means to achieve this end is somewhat confused. This article introduces some of the many and varied approaches suggested in recent literature, including ‘no growth' and ‘green growth'....
SGSEP News Vol 1 2012 view online
SGS Economics and Planning evolves for greater staff involvement and commitment to clients; Staff news; Presentations and papers...
VOLUME 4 2011 Download pdf
Planning in Canberra: current trends, policies and issues
Population growth, emerging new governance arrangements and changing priorities are impacting on spatial planning, presenting both challenges and opportunities for Canberra to reshape itself as a sustainable city...View Article
Local Government economic development resourcing, structuring and partnering
The report of the 2011 National Survey of Local Government & Economic Development has been released. It provides an updated picture of how economic development within local government is resourced and structured, and how economic development partnering is perceived by local government ...View Article
How vulnerable is Victoria to the carbon tax?
The carbon tax will target businesses within the high emission sectors (excluding agriculture) and these businesses may become more vulnerable to rising costs. Employment and consequently output of these sectors is unevenly distributed spatially within Victoria, suggesting that some Victorian regions will be more vulnerable than others to rising costs with the introduction of the carbon tax...View Article
SGS News Vol 4 2011
Seasons Greetings; Staff news; SGS wins multiple awards ...View article
VOLUME 3 2011 Download pdf
Urban renewal contributions to community welfare
Some renewal projects find spaces for artists, cultural and community groups until the properties are commercially let out. Some examples are profiled, with an overview of the contributions they make to individual and community welfare.... View article
A statewide coastal policy framework pathway
The second article about planning for adaption to coastal climate change proposes steps that State governments could take to provide a comprehensive state policy framework that would help communities in their local planning process....View article
Melbourne's economy: a stunning success or captured by complacency?
Melbourne's renaissance has brought policymakers a new set of challenges. Ensuring the future prosperity of Victoria will require a new generation of reforms and infrastructure investments.... View article
SGS News Volume 3 2011
SGS Canberra quarterly seminar - national urban policy; New articles and presentations on the SGS website; Productivity commission report on retail industry; SGS staff news. .... View article
VOLUME 2 2011 Download pdf
Assisting economic diversification through land optimisation in Brunei Darussalam
To achieve economic diversification for Brunei, strategies for optimal use of commercial and industrial land will need to consider the 'economic development pillars' of innovative, collaborative governance; education, training, research and skills formation; and enterprise growth from within Brunei...View Article
A coastal climate adaption pathway for communities
Around Australia, coastal communities are planning how they will adapt to climate change, but coming up with a community supported implementation plan is proving difficult for many.This article suggests a coastal adaption pathway for decisionmaking that might achieve better results ...View Article
Finding the community value of Victorian public libraries
Groundbreaking research has found that Victorian public libraries contribute significantly to community welfare. Not only that, but the benefits contributed by public libraries significantly outweigh their provisioning costs...View Article
SGS News Vol 2 2011
Staff news...Brunei interns visit SGS...Ideas for Christchurch's future at TEDxChCh forum...Presentations and papers on the SGS Website...View article
VOLUME 1 2011 Download pdf
Transferring creative skills and knowledge for effective city-building: the role of architecture and urban design
As creative entrepreneurs working in the field of architecture and urban design, creative practitioners have an important role to play in policy-making...View Article
Consultation in support of strategic planning: a conceptual framework
The demand for public involvement in decision-making has increased in recent years and consultation is fundamental to supporting effective strategic planning...View Article
Crime reduction through environmental design
Crime prevention is one of many benefits that can result from the development of appropriately designed mixed use precincts...View Article
House prices creating a divided city
It's taken for granted these days that house prices in inner and middle suburban Melbourne are much higher than homes on offer in the city's outer areas.But it wasn't always so...View Article
SGS News Vol 1 2011
SGS People; Major strategy for Darussalam commences; National PIA award for SGS project; recent presentations, articles, papers.View article
VOLUME 4 2010 Download pdf
Land Administration in developing countries
Australians take for granted the British based land titling and administration systems where the rule of law protects basic property rights. However in developing countries land administration systems fall far short of this ideal and tackling this issue is one of the key tasks carried out by development assistance agencies....View Article online
Towards Zero Net Emissions: strategies from the Werribbee Plains Energy research Study
Governments have begun to consider solutions to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. A recent study has outlined strategies which could be used to move a metropolitan sub-region's net emissions to zero by 2020....View Article online
Planning for parking in redeveloping areas: ideas for flexibility
Parking is a critical issue in the redevelopment and renewal of established centres and urban areas.The conventional approach to car parking provision unnecessarily locks in costs and vehicle dependency and a more flexible approach is required....View Article online
Engagement is key to good Community Planning
For many Local Councils, particularly those experiencing significant social, economic and environmental change, preparing a Community Plan might present a rather daunting challenge. But with a well planned, responsive approach to community engagement, the process of developing and implementing a Community Plan is likely to succeed....View Article online
SGS News
SGS articles, presentations and papers. SGS Awarded for Planning Excellence. Seasons Greetings. View article online
VOLUME 3 2010 Download pdf
Activity Centres and economic development: more than just a land use plan
The Western Australian Planning Commission's Activity Centres guidelines for Perth and Peel include a specific focus on the economics of centres planning. However achieving the policy's aims will require more from local government than the production of a centre plan through land use planning... View article online
Cultural to creative industries - a policy-driven evolution
'Creative Industries' is a relatively new phrase in government policy, industry and academic discourse. The conceptualisation of the creative industries however, has been a long and evolutionary process.... View article online
Good practice approaches to Indigenous economic development in remote communities
Recent research has identified several good practice principles that can be utilized by development practitioners and government agencies when considering program design and project methodologies for development projects in remote Indigenous communities.... View article online
What's happening in the South Australian economy?
An overview of trends in economic growth rates for South Australia and Adelaide over the last 20 years discusses drivers of growth, structural adjustment, and industry share of the Adelaide economy... View article online
SGS News
Staff Update. SGS articles, presentations and papers - Jobs galore - but where are the workers?... Are we future proofing Perth?; The 21st Century Town Square; The making of the poly-centric state; Australian settlement futures... View article online
VOLUME 2 2010 Download pdf (2.9 megabites)
Cities and productivity - the intergenerational challenge
Two important reports have recently been released - the Intergenerational Report 2010 edition, and the State of Australian Cities 2010. Cities have well and truly made it onto the policy radar for the Australian government but the authors of both reports should draw inspiration from each other...View Article online
Climate change - the capacity to adapt
Australians will have to manage serious and pervasive risks from climate change impacts, and the capacity to adapt will depend not only on available information, but community attitudes and resources....View Article online
Investing in sport and recreation facilities - does it pay off?
Providing sports and recreation facilities has obvious benefits to recreation facility users, but there are also benefits to the wider society, encompassing people who do not directly use these facilities. Recent research has investigated and quantified these benefits....View article online
Policy Snapshot: natural resource management policy and program initiatives
The second in a series of Policy Snapshots profiling key national policy programs in Australia, overviews the Caring for Our Country program...View article online
SGS News
Staff Update. Recent events - Affordable housing. The evolution and experience of Abbotsford Convent. 36 milion - fact or fiction? A new agenda for strategic planning in capital cities...View article online
VOLUME 1 2010 Download pdf
Maximising local economic development outcomes from renewal projects
Governments around Australia are spending significant amounts of public funds on sponsoring redevelopment and renewal projects. Given this level of investment, it is important that the redevelopment process itself maximises local and regional economic development opportunitites...View article online
Long stay caravan parks: differing levels of protection depending on where you live
Despite a renewed focus on homelessness, there is one sector of the housing market that is often overlooked in terms of the role it plays in providing relatively cheap housing - the humble caravan park....View article online
Mildura Older Irrigation Areas: economic implications of future planning frameworks in a horticultural region
Recently, SGS examined the economic implications of potential changes to the rights to apply for further subdivision, excision of lots, and new dwellings, in the Mildura Older Irrigation Areas - part of a region which is the national centre for wine grape production....View article online
Policy Snapshot: Co-operative Research Centres
The first in a series of Policy Snapshots profiling key national policy programs in Australia, overviews the CRC program established in 1990 and reviewed several times since....View article online
SGS News
Staff Update. Melbourne economic outlook: from economic recovery to economic reinvention. Realising a vision for the community housing sector...View article online
VOLUME 4 2009 Download PDF (4 megabites)
Place Making - Beyond the Florida Thesis
There is little doubt that the 'creative class' does want a city with a vibrant 'buzz', as per the Richard Florida thesis. But does this fully explain why some cities succeed while others languish?... View article online
Road Map or Road to Nowhere: A critique of Directions 2010, the Draft Spatial Framework for Perth and Peel
In June 2009 the Western Australian Planning Commission released 'Directions 2031', its draft spatial framework for metropolitan Perth....The overall aspirations of the framework are laudable, but questions can be raised about the market based assumptions upon which delivery of the proposed metropolitan spatial structure depends.... View article online
Regional Innovation Systems, Knowledge-Based Industries and Economic Development
What is it that differentiates a regional innovation system / knowledge economy from resource and production-based economies? And what sorts of attributes should regions be nurturing to facilitiate the growth and development of their innovation systems?.... View article online
Measuring Indigenous Social Housing Need
The demography of the Indigenous proportion of Australia's population represents a special case for social housing need.... View article online
SGS News
Food Sustainability Seminar hosted by SGS. PIA awards. View article online
VOLUME 3 2009 Download PDF
The changing role of social housing - an historical perspective
The provision of public housing has been a prominent feature of Australian social policy since 1946. However the role it has been expected to play has changed markedly over this period...
Development license fees to produce better activity centre outcomes
Retail development displays many of the classic circumstances warranting a relatively extensive regulatory regime. One jurisdiction in Australia formally charges for the right to develop retail floorspace and similar arrangements could be implemented in other Australian jurisdictions...
Improving development models for urban renewal projects
Governments often require urban renewal projects to be innovative. However, less attention has been given to how the model of project delivery can contribute to innovation and improve urban redevelopment outcomes...
SGS News
Planning for climate change - what strategies can we use? SGS Seminar 9 September 2009.
VOLUME 2 2009 Download PDF
Enabling Active Lifestyles Through Urban Planning
Urban planning can be used to support an increase in physical activity in the population - but requires more understanding and policy emphasis...
Improving the Development Equation: A Focus on Higher Density Housing Developments in Established Urban Areas
Understanding the various income, cost and risk considerations involved in the development process suggests ways to improve the development equation for higher density housing in established urban areas...
The Spatiality of the Global Economic Crisis
The current economic crisis is having a tumultuous and far reaching impact on the global economy. However, it is taking place in tandem with a structural change which has already profoundly reshaped the landscape of advantage and disadvantage in Australia...
SGS News
The Age Newspaper has reported on SGS analysis showing that "Melbourne's more affluent inner suburbs, not its outer suburban mortgage belt, have been responsible for the rise in unemployment at the end of last year with professional jobs being shed in high numbers..."
VOLUME 1 2009 Download PDF
Improving City Performance Through Benchmarking
The SGS research confirms that City Benchmarking is a valuable tool that can inform strategic planning and urban policy. However...
Housing Associations: The Emerging Force
Circumstances have changed significantly since the initial formation of community housing in Australia. In a sense there has been something of a role reversal...
Restaurants, Bars, Catering and Cafes - Recent Trends
The global financial crisis has undoubtedly affected the hospitality sector and conditions may well prove difficult for many businesses in the coming months...
SGS News
SGS’s November 2008 Melbourne Quarterly Seminar discussed the short term and longer term economic outlook for metropolitan Melbourne...