Building Liveable Communities – A Hypothetical Approach20th August 2007

Overview

• How is REDC getting involved?

• How do you measure it?

• Why is everyone interested in it?

• What is liveability?

REDC and Liveability

REDC Purpose

“To engage the region in a strategic approach to long term sustainability”

REDC and Liveability Sustainable People, Sustainable Industry

• Skills shortage

• Smart approach to business

• Attraction but not retention

• Need to know why – liveability implications

• Community and Social Infrastructure Audit

Measuring LiveabilityHow has this been done? – INTERNATIONAL EXAMPLE

• Liveability Ranking (Part of Worldwide Cost of Living Survey)– 40 indicators in 5 individually weighted categories:

1. Stability (25%) 2. Healthcare (20%) 3. Culture and Environment (25%)4. Education (10%)5. Infrastructure (20%)

• Cities rated from 0% to 100% (lower score is better) • Melbourne ranked 1st in 2002 and 2004

Measuring LiveabilityHow has this been done? – NATIONAL EXAMPLE

• Australian Unity Wellbeing Index– Personal Wellbeing Index– National Wellbeing Index

– Personal Wellbeing Index (how satisfied people are with their lives) – satisfaction with:

• Health;• Personal relationships;• Safety;• Standard of living;• Achievements in life;• Community connection;• Future security.

– Measure of 0% to 100% (100% being completely satisfied)– Regularly measured and compared over time

Measuring Liveability How has it been done? – LOCAL EXAMPLE

• Cairns City Council1. Affordability2. Accessibility3. Mobility4. Diversity5. Equity6. Amenity7. Well-Being8. Good Leadership

• Range of measures under each category, rated over time as • Improving or acceptable• Unacceptable or getting worse• Stable or Don’t know yet

Why Measure Liveability? Cost, time and risk implications…

• Evaluate policy outcomes• Prioritise public expenditure• Promotion of destinations• Enhance urban design and planning• Justify infrastructure requests• Evaluation across social, economic and

environmental aspirations

Defining Liveability

• Liveable is defined as

“Fit or suitable to live in or with.”• Bushman – Sahara Desert?• Eskimo – Arctic Circle?• Closer to home…

– Retired farmer vs young urban adult in Clermont?– Same people in apartment in Mackay CBD?

Defining Liveability

• What does ‘fit or suitable to live in or with’ mean for our community?

• How do we accommodate for everyone?

• What are the key factors?

Panel Discussion

1. How can the region benefit from measuring liveability?

2. What are essential components of liveability for this region?

Mackay Regional Challenges Sustainable Growth Management

• Regional Leadership and Policy Engagement• Logistic Infrastructure

– Road, Rail, Air and Port • Industrial Land Development• Affordable and Available Housing• Supportive Infrastructure

– Energy, Water & Telecommunications• Staff Attraction and Retention• Community Infrastructure & Support • Education & Training

Key Projects2007/2008

1. Economic Baseline Audit, and Economic Development Plan.

2. Social & Community Infrastructure Audit.

3. Economics of Freight Transport Study

4. Energy Audit.

5. Data-house for Regional Studies/Knowledge Management.

6. Qld on Show

Questions ?