Local Government

The Foundation specialises in providing research services to local government authorities and has an understanding of the challenges facing councils.

Research services to local government:

Techniques for monitoring and benchmarking views held by ratepayers, employees, suppliers and councillors
Economic impact analysis of proposed developments, such as retail, hospital and recreational facilities
Assessment of infrastructure needs
Performance monitoring and benchmarking
Socio-demographic analysis for use in social strategic planning
Facilitation through focus groups and workshops with councillors, staff and ratepayers

Community, Employee Supplier and Councilor Surveys

Considered a leader in this field, the Foundation has been instrumental in establishing community surveys within many local governments throughout Sydney, the Hunter and Central Coast Regions and other NSW local government areas. They are able to measure a community’s usage and perceived value of, and level of satisfaction with, the range of facilities and services provided by councils. Research extends to identifying future community needs and preparing strategic plans for councils on a variety of subject areas.

The Foundation has create a set of benchmarks to compare residents’ satisfaction with services provided by a specific client with the level of satisfaction of residents in similar sized local government areas elsewhere in New South Wales.

Past projects:

Community surveys and workshops for a range of councils including Holroyd, Hastings, Port Stephens, Sydney City, Newcastle, Rockdale and Ryde
Business surveys for a range of councils including: Rockdale, Sydney City and Maitland
Staff surveys for a number of councils including: Newcastle and North Sydney
Tamworth City Council Cultural and Social and Recreation Surveys
Port Stephens Council Internet and Communications Survey and Road Safety
Blacktown Council Customer Services Survey and Waste and Social Services Assessment
Rockdale City Council Transport Strategy Survey
Merriwa Shire Council - Retail Study
Cessnock City Council – Open Space Survey
Gosford Council - EEO Survey
Newcastle City Council – ongoing program of surveys of visitors to a range of community events

For more information on local government services contact Robin Mcdonald