Social Planning

Social Plans are generally developed on behalf of local government councils. In NSW all Councils are required to prepare a Social Plan every 5 years, to examine the needs and strategies to address the following seven population groups: children; young people; older people; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background; people with a disability; and women. Many Councils enlarge the Plan to include the general population and other demographic groups within its community that may require an assessment of need.
For Councils that have embraced  the triple bottom line approach to sustainability (environmental—economic-social), the social plan contributes the social sustainability component.
Social Plans may also target individual demographic groups, specific issues, or locality communities. They are developed using the same stages and similar processes to Strategic Plans and include substantial public participation and community consultation components

Project & Client Examples

• Disability Action Plan 2011-2016 for Clarence Valley Council, 2010

• Enhancing the Volunteer Sector, Clarence Valley Council, 2009

• Women's Services Advocacy Strategy, Penrith City Council, 2007. (Winner of the 2009 Women in Local Government category in the National Awards for Local Government) 
    womensservicessector.pdf

• Clarence Valley Council Social Plan 2006 - 2009.
  Clarence Valley Social Plan.pdf |  1.74 Mb

• Coffs Harbour City Council’s Social Plan 2005—2009.
  Coffs Harbour Social & Community Strategic Plan.pdf |  1.22 Mb

•  Strategic Plan for Young People in the Greater Taree area for the Greater Taree City Council 2006—2009.
  Greater Taree Strategic Plan For Young People.pdf |  633.39 Kb

• Update Report on the Unemployment chapter for the Clarence Valley Social Plan. November 2002 – January 2003.

• Peer Review of the Tweed Shire Integrated Human Services Delivery Plan. June 2003 – February 2004.

• Human Needs Assessment for Unemployed People in the Clarence Valley. Additional chapter to the Clarence Valley Social Plan, on behalf of the 4 Clarence Valley Councils, January/March 2001.

Social Impact Assessment (SIA)

The requirement for a Social Impact Assessment is occurring more frequently as Councils recognize the benefits of an independent assessment of the social impacts of Development Applications.
NSW legislation also requires an SIA for new or changed liquor licence applications and for additional gaming machines.

Project & Client Examples

• Rural Impact Study on the Loss of State Government Jobs in Grafton, including the proposed closure of the Grafton Agriculture Research & Advisory Station, Clarence Valley Council, September 2004.

The confidentiality of corporate clients is respected by not listing on the web site.

Demographic and Economic Profiles

Profiles using the Australian Bureau of Statistics and other relevant data are used to understand the characteristics of a population. They are an important component of Social Plans and Social Impact Assessments and Economic and Regional Development Plans. St Lawrence and Associates Consulting Services can prepare stand alone profiles to assist with your marketing, business and other  related decisions.

Project & Client Examples

• South Grafton Housing Estate. Preparation of Report on the demographics & social impact of change in housing mixture. As sub-consultant to Resitech, September/October 2003.

• Research & Preparation of Economic Profiles & Invest Australia Database for Coffs Harbour, Bellingen & Nambucca Councils. April – July 2003.

• Demographic profiles were prepared as part of the  Social and Strategic Plans identified in the earlier Social Planning section.