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Given the diverse nature of our services, our news covers a broad spectrum of content including grant writing, planning, conflict resolution,
legislative updates, community engagement, governance and more. Each month our team provides their insights based on recent projects
and work with a particular focus on issues in regional New South Wales.
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5 ways to improve your planning proposals
Potential appeals of rezoning decisions As part of its COVID-19 recovery plan, the NSW Government recently announced the NSW Planning Reform Action Plan . The Plan includes proposed reforms to enable appeals to the Land and Environmental Court for rezoning...
The loss of regional newspapers – what this means for local councils and their communities
In the past month, many have been shocked by the announcement that numerous regional newspapers across Australia will be closing or changing to a digital format. For regional communities, this is big news. Although it is not unexpected. Newspapers have, for a long...
Surveys – why are we asking the question?
Surveys whether online or on paper are an engagement staple and there are a myriad of surveys out there asking all sorts of questions. In fact, the familiarity and adaptability of the survey format is part of what makes them such a useful tool. With such a familiar...
What can COVID-19 show us about our public spaces?
COVID-19 has already changed many aspects of our daily lives from work, leisure, socialising and our commute. The heightened awareness of routines, other people as well as our local surroundings is a unique opportunity for public space planners and managers to explore...
Re-thinking our approach to community engagement in the changing world
As our world and lives have been tipped upside down in the last few weeks, the team at Locale is responding to the evolving events around us and our communities. This means working out how we can best serve our clients and communities in this moment of extreme change...
Lessons from Balranald Shire Council Inquiry
The dismissal of a local council by the Minister of Local Government does not happen very often. When it does occur, it has significant ramifications for the council and its community. It is also an opportunity for other councils to learn from what has gone wrong and...
Responding to the bushfires – critical role of local government
Our heartfelt thoughts go out to the regional communities affected by the bushfires As we return to work this week, communities in regional Australia are grappling with the devastation caused by the recent bushfires. For some, the threat to life and property...
Building Better Regions Fund – Round 4 now open
The fourth round of the Building Better Regions Fund is now open and Locale Consulting is here to help! The fund aims to create jobs, foster economic development and build stronger regional communities. The fund is specifically for regional areas outside...
Making your next pop-up engagement activity a success!
The importance of early and genuine stakeholder engagement to establish trust and faith in a planning process should not be underestimated. In fact, as we know the continuing reform of the NSW planning system has further embedded engagement early in the...
7 practical steps to creating a strategic plan your community will love (Part 2)
Recapping This is the second part of our series about creating a strategic plan that your community will love. Recapping, we have outlined seven main steps to follow: 1. Assess the community 2. Establish a solid process 3. Involve all kinds of people 4. Develop a...
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