Research Partnership Scheme

Now in its fourth year, the ACELG Research Partnership Scheme provides opportunities for local government researchers in councils and related organisations to work with ACELG and other partners in undertaking research that will benefit local government and build research capacity in the sector. The Scheme has successfully enabled research partnerships between local governments, universities, and local goverment associations in a wide range of areas relevant to local government practice. Current and previous projects from the Scheme are listed on this page. 

We encourage local government staff and organisations to propose research projects that are of both local and national import, and that extend the work undertaken by ACELG.

Applications for the 2014 Research Partnership Scheme close at 5pm, Friday February 14.

Please see the Research Partnership Scheme Guidelines for more information about the application process, and the Research Partnership Scheme Application Form.

For more information contact Jessie Lymn, ACELG Research Officer.

2013 Partnerships

Embedding Climate Change Adaptation in Local Council Business

Partner organisation(s)	City of Canada Bay (NSW), City of Greater Geelong (VIC), City of Port Phillip (VIC), City of Melbourne (VIC), City of Townsville (QLD), City of Onkaparinga (SA)
Status	Active

 

Leadership in Local Government: Factors Affecting the Appointment of CEOs

Partner organisation(s)	The University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University Supported by Western Australian Local Government Association, Local Government Managers Australia (WA)
Status	In the final stages of reporting. For an interim summary of the project please contact Jessie Lymn at ACELG. The report is expected to be released in late January 2014.

 

2012 Partnerships

Food Safety Compliance Strategy

The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government in partnership with Queensland University of Technology, Logan City Council, Redland City Council, Sunshine Coast Council, Ipswich City Council and Environmental Health Australia (Queensland) Inc. are undertaking research that explores the current attitudes and beliefs concerning food safety within a diverse set of food business contexts. Understanding how food business operators think about food safety enables the identification of opportunities to trigger voluntary change of behaviour. Whilst compliance will remain an important aspect of food safety management, other more collaborative approaches to working with the food industry may in the long run be more effective and efficient in improving food safety practices. This industry research will be used to develop a food safety strategy template that can be customised by local governments to suit their context. The template development will assist local governments to deliver a holistic food safety strategy. This approach is more likely to meet Council, community and industry expectations in the future. The template may also result in greater consistency between local governments, which would support resource sharing and increase efficiency.

Partner organisation(s)	Queensland University of Technology,  Logan City Council, Redland City Council, Sunshine Coast Council, Ipswich City Council, Environmental Health Australia (Queensland) Inc
Status	Active
Project summary	Download

 

ACELG and VLGA research on representative local democracy

What is the right number of elected members to properly represent and manage a community`s interests? How should wards and boundaries be determined? These are the kind of questions that a new research project on `Representative local democracy: an analysis of experience in Australia` is investigating. In partnership with the Victorian Local Governance Association, ACELG is analysing the kinds of approaches taken across the country to address this question of representation. In addition this research will look at voting structures and their impact on local democratic processes, the roles of mayors and deputy mayors, approaches to the role and remuneration of councillors and finally, the relationships between council administration and elected members. The project will involve an extensive literature review of state and territory policies and legislation together with a process of consultation through interviews, focus groups and roundtable discussions. The research outcomes will be published in a discussion paper in order to inform debate on ways to improve representative governance.

Partner organisation(s)	Victorian Local Governance Association, UTS Centre for Local Government
Status	Completed
Project report	Download report, Download companion report

 

New Research on the Future of Citizen Committees

This research partnership project supported by ACELG will examine the operation of citizens` committees in Australia and explore their potential in the context of citizen engagement principles. The research which will be conducted by Dr Annie Bolitho and Dr Carolyn Hendriks will involve a literature review and case studies of three Victorian councils, Wyndham City, Surf Coast Shire and Nillumbik Shire Councils. The findings of the research will be presented for feedback at a national forum in Melbourne in March or April 2013. View the program page here.

Partner organisation(s)	newDemocracy Foundation, Wyndham City Council, Nillumbik Shire Council, Surf Coast Shire Council, the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Victorian Local Governance Association
Status	Completed
Project report	Download

 

Learning as a Driver for Change in Communities

This project, led by RMIT University, will explore how learning partnerships can help improve social outcomes, build community capability and strengthen community governance. In particular it will examine the outcomes of the Hume Global Learning Village partnership in Hume City from 2003 – 2012 and the Gwydir Learning Region partnership from 2004-2012. It will then review the elements of a learning community framework as a catalyst for change, and consider how that could be applied to other local government areas across Australia. Outputs include a literature review and a Learning Communities Framework publication.

Partner organisation(s)	Hume City Council Research Department, RMIT University on behalf of the Hume Global Learning Village, Australian Learning Community Network Inc., Gwydir Shire Council on behalf of Gwydir Learning Region
Status	Completed
Report	Download

 

Social Enterprises and Local Government: A Scoping Study

The Institute for Regional Development (IRD) at the University of Tasmania is partnering with the Australian Centre for Excellence in Local Government (ACELG) on a scoping study to explore the relationship between social enterprises and local governments. The scoping study involves a preliminary desktop study of "what we know" about local government working with or through social enterprises in Australia and overseas. The study will review reports, scholarly articles, and other published documents and case studies, with a particular focus on the Australian experience. The Scoping Paper is expected to be completed by early December and will be available via the ACELG and IRD websites.

Partner organisation(s)	Institute for Regional Development (UTAS)
Status	Completed
Report	Download

 

Community Wellbeing Indicators Survey Template for Queensland Local Government

The Local Government Association of Queensland launched its two-year Community Wellbeing Indicators Project in March 2011 to fulfil the local government leadership role as a member of the Community Indicators Queensland Steering Committee. The project aims to demonstrate that a core set of wellbeing indicators and a menu of `fit for purpose` indicators can provide wellbeing data to local government and is a worthwhile and valuable investment in strengthening local government capacity and accountability. This research will build on this work to demonstrate how a community wellbeing indicators survey template may be adapted for use by local governments nationally and be used to measure, analyse and assess the progress of community wellbeing in a local government area.

Partner organisation(s)	Local Government Association of Queensland
Status	Completed
Report	Download

 

2011 Partnerships

Evolution in Community Governance: Building on What Works

Undertaken in partnership with the Local Government Managers Australia (National) and the Municipal Association of Victoria, this paper provides an overview of emerging trends in community governance through reviewing local and international literature and interviews with Australian local government leaders and Bendigo Bank representatives. The research is presented in two volumes. Read more »

Partner organisation(s)	Local Government Managers Australia (National), Municipal Association of Victoria
Status	Completed
Project report	Volume 1 (Report) | Volume 2 (Literature Review)

 

Options for a Local Government Framework for Measuring Liveability

This paper maps current research and knowledge on a wide range of community liveability indicator frameworks that may be useful in a local government context, and provides recommendations for further research and collaboration. As the first stage of a larger project being undertaken in partnership with Penrith City Council in NSW, it aims to establish a more consistent basis for council community indicator reporting. The ultimate aim is to create a framework that can be broadly applicable across Australian local governments and other organisations. Read more »

Partner organisation(s)	Penrith City Council
Status	Completed
Project report	Download report

 

Metropolitan Planning in South East Queensland 1996 to 2010

This paper developed with the support of the Council of Mayors SEQ and the Department of Local Government and Planning Queensland (Growth Management Queensland) provides a brief history of metropolitan planning in SEQ from 1996 to 2010, focussing on the factors behind the move from a voluntary to a statutory planning model, and identifies some implications for ongoing collaborative arrangements between governments in SEQ and other parts of Australia. Read more »

Partner organisation(s)	Council of Mayors South East Queensland, Department of Local Government and Planning Queensland
Status	Completed
Project report	Download report

 

Comparative Analysis of Regional Organisations of Councils in NSW and Western Australia

This report includes an audit of Regional Organisation of Councils (ROCs) in NSW and WA in terms of their governance arrangements. Undertaken in partnership with the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils and the Western Australian Department of Local Government, the paper explored common functions such as advocacy, joint projects and procurement, and their financing, as well as a brief survey of the legislative and institutional frameworks for regional cooperation in these states and other jurisdictions. It also begins to explore the broader themes of the role of ROCs in the context of regionalism and modernisation of local government activities. Read more »

Partner organisation(s)	Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, Western Australian Department of Local Government
Status	Completed
Project report	Download report