Research
::: Research Focus and Interests ::: Current Research Projects :::
::: Recently Completed Research Projects :::
The Centre provides a focus and forum for research into local government issues. It does this in several ways:
- By staff conducting their own research
- By collaborating with Australian and international research partners
- By undertaking consultancy projects that include a significant research component
- By contributing research-based papers to seminars and conferences both in Australia and overseas
- By stimulating interest in research questions through its education and professional development programs.
Areas of particular research interest include:
- Local government development and reform (particularly in Australia and the Asia-Pacific)
- Intergovernment relations (including international comparisons)
- Sustainable development
- Corporate and community governance
- Women in local government
- Strategic and corporate planning
- Social and community planning
- Creativity and innovation in local government management
- Performance measurement and management
- Local approvals systems and development controls
Current Research Projects
- Legislative Frameworks for Pacific Local Government. The Centre has been commissioned by the Commonwealth Secretariat to research local government systems and legislation in Pacific island states. This will involve a review of existing local government Acts or equivalent legislation, convening a regional workshop to discuss good practice principles, and action research projects in three or four countries
- Australia-Canada Comparative Study. The Centre is working with colleagues in several Australian and Canadian universities to review recent local government reforms and innovations in the two federal systems. A joint seminar was held in Victoria, British Columbia, in November 2006, and it is expected that a book will be published later this year. For further details contact Graham Sansom.
- Commonwealth Local Government Forum: Pacific Regional Project and Capacity Builidng For Honiara City Council. Monitoring and evaluation of activities under two new 5 year projects to strengthen local government and governance in seven Pacific Island countries. For further information contact Graham Sansom.
- Just Communities (in cooperation with Local Government Community Development and Services Association of Australia). A 3-year project working with a network of councils across Australia to explore how local government can enhance community wellbeing by strengthening local democratic processes. For further information contact Daniel Grafton.
- Innovation and Creativity in Local Government. Robert Mellor is conducting PhD research into how and why some local councils apply and sustain more innovative and creative approaches to management.
Recently Completed Research Projects
- Global Dialogue on Federalism (for the Forum of Federations and International Association of Centre for Federal Studies). The Centre led Australia's participation in the 2007 Global Dialogue on Local Government and Metropolitan Regions in Federal Systems.
- Commonwealth Local Government Research Forum. The Centre is working with colleagues in New Zealand to host a research forum in conjunction with the Commonwealth Local Government Conference to be held in Auckland in March 2007. For further information contact Graham Sansom.
- Review of Social Plans (in cooperation with NSW Department of Local Government). Our review of a sample of the latest round of Social/Community Plans prepared by NSW councils aimed to explore the various approaches adopted and identify successful practices that can be more widely disseminated. The report, Raising Expectations? Review of NSW Local Government Social Plans, is now available for download. For further information contact Daniel Grafton.
- Review of National Framework for Women in Local Government. The Centre recently completed its research project for the Australian Local Government Women's Association to review and update the 2001 National Framework for Women in Local Government. The report of the review, The Way Forward, was released in Canberra on 23 May by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues, Hon Julie Bishop, and the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Hon Jim Lloyd. For further information, contact Graham Sansom or go to http://www.algwa.net.au/.
- Australia-South Africa Local Governance Partnership. An evaluation of AusAID's recent Australia-South Africa Local Governance Partnership project that operated from 2002 to 2005. For further information contact Graham Sansom.
- Cities Alliance: Review of City Development Strategies. Case studies of cities in ten countries around the world, plus preparation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for future strategies (in conjunction with ECON Analysis of Norway).
- Commonwealth Local Government Forum: Asia-Pacific Symposium on Local Government Service Partnerships, Kuala Lumpur, July 2005. Planning and facilitation of the Symposium and preparation of the Symposium report for publication by the Commonwealth Secretariat. Download report.
- Commonwealth Local Government Forum: Evaluation of Council Partnerships with Papua-New Guinea. Review of the Commonwealth Best Practice Scheme's operations in PNG, including an assessment of technical partnerships between three Australian local councils and PNG counterparts, as well as links between local government associations, 2004.
- Australian Local Government Association: Review of Local Government Research. Compilation of recent research and interviews with key stakeholders to identify ongoing research needs and opportunities, 2005.
- Local Government Managers Australia: Home-based Work in Local Government (funded by the National Office of Local Government). An assessment of the issues raised by and potential for increased use of home-based work, 2003. Download report.
- Local Government Managers Australia: Paths for Women in Local Government - National Figures and Local Successes. Research into the extent and nature of employment of women in Local Government, innovative recruitment and staff development practices for women, and the career profiles of some successful women in senior management positions, 2004. Download report.
