Staff update
Over past months SGS has welcomed the following staff
appointments:
Carl Knaggs (BenvPlan) has joined SGS's Brisbane team. Karl is an urban and regional planner
specializing in strategic and statutory planning, highest and best use analysis, infrastructure
coordination audit and analysis, policy preparation, mediation, due diligence, feasibility analysis
and project management.
Gareth Williams, MA (Hons) G.I.S, BA (Hons) Geography, has joined the Melbourne team.
Gareth is a regional and economic geographer with qualifications in Geographical Information
Systems and a background in commercial property market research. He specialises in
regional economic analysis, economic forecasting and spatial analysis.
Matthew Oberklaid, (BUPD (Hons)), has become a consultant in the Melbourne office.
Matthew is an urban planner with expertise in research, affordable and sustainable housing,
community infrastructure audits, demographic analysis, and community consultation.
Stephen Brooke (BCom (Econ & Fin)) has joined the Perth Office. Stephen is an economist
with strengths in modelling, strategic development and analytical work. His financial background
allows him to apply financial applications in a broader economic context. He is currently
undertaking his Master in Economics & Finance.
Melbourne economic outlook: From economic recovery to economic reinvention
How has Melbourne's economy been performing, and what is the outlook for the next 3 years?
What can urban policy do to support long term productivity growth in the metropolis and in its
sub regions? At the SGS Melbourne February quarterly seminar SGS Associate Director
Terry Rawnsley presented recent analysis and data, and suggested that to support the city's
larger and older future population, it will be vital to increase labour productivity through more
efficient organisation of the city. Drawing on SGS modelling and mapping of Melbourne he
discussed how improving Effective Job Density (EJD) through planning / transport policy will
boost productivity.
Realising a vision for the Community Housing Sector in Western Australia
Community Housing stock now makes up almost 10% of social housing in Australia,
but the national target is to reach 33 per cent by 2014. Three housing experts discussed
issues and policy settings vital to growing the Community Housing sector, at the SGS
Perth Seminar, February 2010.
Michael Lennon, CEO Housing Choices Australia, described the current environment for
social housing in Australia and recent UK social Housing experience. He identified emerging
opportunities, and the role regulation could play in developing the social housing sector.
Clive Attwater, SGS Director, presented "Social Housing: Questions of Balance", suggesting
community housing should be catering for low to moderate income households to generate
leverage. Dr Marcus Spiller, SGS Director overviewed the evolution of social housing policy
in Australia.
More information about these presentations is at
http://www.sgsep.com.au/sgs-staff-presentations-and-papers