CChange contributes to the Sunshine Coast taking the first step in establishing a Light Rail system.
Recently Vanessa Bennett of CChange Sustainable Solutions was engaged by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to be the transport economist assessing the business case for establishing Light Rail on the Sunshine Coast.
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Together with Thao Ashford Planning, CChange helps lead WA into more rigorous and comprehensive social / community infrastructure planning.
CChange Sustainable Solutions has recently been involved in major social /community infrastructure planning exercises for the City of Perth, Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and Belmont City Council. These projects have arguably raised the bar on the way social infrastructure is assessed, planned and costed in Western Australia. The methods used in these projects included comprehensive auditing of existing social infrastructure, rigorous benchmarking systems tied to detailed understanding of the demographic and economic environment, together with inclusive and detailed consultation with key stakeholders to ensure land use opportunities and delivery of social infrastructure are maximised. Ensuring the delivery is achievable and affordable were key outcomes for the studies. The methods and benchmarking bases were devised when Vanessa was one of the key authors to the Implementation Note No. 5: Social Infrastructure Guidelines, for the (then Office of Urban Management for SEQ). This guideline provides a detailed and comprehensive guide to better planning for social infrastructure. Winning State and National awards, the Guidelines have been used as a basis for many social infrastructure plans across Australia.
CChange is holding discussions with the resource sector to assist in improving their business and waste management strategies, while helping the environment.
CChange is dedicated to achieving sustainable outcomes in business, environment, social and economic contexts. In this regard, we have recently engaged in discussions with the resource sector about how they can best manage their organic waste and use it as a resource that provides not only financial benefits for themselves, but also benefits for a host of other players (such as the communities within which they operate, the Regional Government Authorities, farmers / other land users / industries and the environment generally). Waste management audits, which lead to best practice and practical recommendations of change for the resource sector players, coupled with other initiatives can decrease business costs by up to 30% while providing resources that can assist in increasing productivity of land. CChange’s blend of economic, social and environmental services can show your organisation what it means to implement a truly sustainable solution. If you are interested in learning more about this fusion of economics, environmental and social services, please contact us now.
Through its Cost Benefit Analysis expertise, CChange Sustainable Solutions and Andrea Young Planning Consultants have helped Mission Australia understand the value in key programs that assist in keeping people from homelessness.
Together with Andrea Young Planning Consultants, CChange has recently completed a Cost Benefit Analysis on key tenancy and homelessness programs within Mission Australia to assist in quantifying the savings to Government and society. The study found that for every dollar invested in some of these strategies, Government was saving at least $13.50, and society even more. Furthermore, the intangible benefits of the programs (that is, those benefits that cannot be easily costed) include: enabling government organisations to concentrate on their core business and hence have efficiency improvements; provide clients with the confidence to take steps towards seeking employment; and has even resulted in saving lives. A summary of the Report’s findings can be found here, which was also included in an episode of the 7.30 Report for RESOLVE. The study used Cost Benefit Analysis techniques that are approved by most State Governments’ across Australia, and coupled this with the collection of empirical evidence through sensitive and comprehensive consultation. CChange and Andrea Young Planning Consultants can tailor studies to suit your organisation’s needs, whether this be simply a more evidenced based understanding of your operations, or the need for your organisation to ‘talk’ economics in easy to understand terms to a variety of audiences, including key decision makers, Governments, communities, clients and other organisations. We also provide teaching services should your organisation wish to learn how to conduct Cost Benefit Analyses in-house. Refer to an example information brochure here. Please feel free to contact Vanessa Bennett if you would like more information.