Social and Economic Impact Assessment

Social Impact Assessment and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Report (CPTED) for State Significant Development in Auburn
Auburn Shopping Village Pty Ltd
JSA prepared a Social Impact Assessment for a large-scale mixed-use development in Auburn consisting of residential (359 apartments) and commercial uses, basement parking and public open space. The residential component will include affordable housing under SEPP (Housing) 2021. The proposed development will provide much needed affordable housing with a good spread of housing across dwelling types. Ninety-six percent of the dwellings will be considered affordable, either through market provision or designated affordable housing, to very low, low and moderate income households. JSA has considered other relevant considerations such as access to transport and services. JSA has also considered the communal open space proposed in the development, especially in the context of a deficit of open space in the immediate locality. Commercial and public open space has also been considered.
The development is located within a relatively high crime environment and the Planning Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARS) for the project required the Applicant provide a CPTED Report, including the public space. JSA has assessed the development against the CPTED principles of surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement and space management and has made recommendations accordingly.

Socio-Economic Impact Assessment for proposed Macquarie Park Depot for Transport for NSW Zero Emission Buses Greater Sydney
Transport for NSW
JSA prepared a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment for Transport for NSW (TfNSW) for a Zero Emission (electric) Bus Depot at Macquarie Park including bus parking, charging bays, maintenance facilities, offices and staff facilities. The Assessment was prepared in accordance with the TfNSW EIA Practice Note Socio-economic Assessment (EIA-N05, January 2020). The proposal site is in an industrial area with no residential dwellings within 500 metres. JSA provided a socio-economic assessment of the nearest residential population and groups that may be vulnerable to changes due to the proposed depot. JSA also considered the local community infrastructure, patterns of personal transport use including pedestrian and bicycle movements, potential impacts for adjacent businesses and stakeholder consultations carried out by TfNSW. Findings included recommendations to mitigate potential adverse social impacts of the proposal.

Social Impact Assessment for Planning Proposal for Large Residential Housing Development and Child Care Centre in Muswellbrook
Freedom Development Group
JSA completed a Social Impact Assessment for a planning proposal in Muswellbrook consisting of a 14-staged concept subdivision plan comprised of 327 general residential lots, 57 large lots, 240 attached dual occupancy dwellings, child care centre, café and public open space including seven parks and enhancements.
JSA prepared a likely demographic profile of the estimated 1,300 future residents of the proposed development, assessed the affordability of the proposal, analysed the need for a child care centre and assessed the proposed provision of public open space against relevant standards.
As 100% of dwellings in the immediate locality of the planning proposal area are separate houses with four or more bedrooms, the inclusion of medium density attached dwellings in the proposal is likely to be of considerable benefit to the local community by increasing housing diversity, a key strategic direction set out in the Hunter Regional Plan 2041 and Muswellbrook Local Strategic Planning Statement 2020-2040.

Social Impact Assessment for proposed Lifestyle Living Estate (Caravan Park) in Nowra Hill
Planning Plus (NSW) Pty Ltd
JSA completed a Social Impact Assessment for a proposed Caravan Park comprised of 203 long-term sites for moveable dwellings, 2 short-term caravan sites and associated community facilities in Nowra Hill that considered the requirements of Part 9, Clause 133(c) and (d) of State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 regarding whether there is adequate low-cost housing (or land available for low-cost housing) in the locality and whether necessary community facilities and services where available within the park and/or locality.
The assessment described the relative under-supply of low-cost housing, and land for low-cost housing, in the immediate and wider locality of the Shoalhaven; as well as the positive impact of the proposal to deliver additional smaller, more manageable dwellings for older people in a community setting of high amenity with on-site recreational facilities.  JSA also recommended mitigations of potential adverse impacts including provision of a village minibus and plan of management regarding on-site facilities management, hours of operation and on-site speed limits to ensure that the Caravan Park maintained amenity, accessibility, and safety for future residents.

Social Impact Assessment for Co-Living (including Student Accommodation) in Annandale – change of use from aged care facility
Mr George Gialouris and Johnston Pty Ltd
JSA prepared a Social Impact Assessment for a proposed change of use from an existing, but no longer operational, residential aged care facility to a 102 room Co-Living Housing development in Annandale.
The proposal site was well-located and within walking distance to a range of shops, services, facilities, parks and open space areas, public transport services (bus and light rail) and numerous tertiary education facilities in a wider locality.  JSA explored the under-supply of studio apartments, co-living and boarding house accommodation relative to housing need and high rate of lone person households in the locality. The re-purposing of the building for Co-Living Housing would make a significant contribution to filling a gap in the local rental housing market. The adaptive reuse of the existing building would also cause minimal adverse impact to local character, privacy and amenity for adjacent neighbours and surrounding neighbourhood.

Social Impact Assessment for a Residential Flat Building in Warwick Farm
Gran Associates Australia
JSA completed a Social Impact Assessment for a ten storey Residential Flat Building in Warwick Farm.  The development proposed 28 units including 19 (68%) units of Affordable Housing under the Statement Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021.  The Affordable Housing units would be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider and utilised for affordable rental housing for a minimum of 15 years.
The report set out the local demographic, service and facility and crime context of the development; as well as the local housing context including affordability of the current market and need for affordable housing.  The SIA considered the social benefit of the proposal including the provision of 19 units of affordable housing in a well-located area in the context of a highly constrained local rental market.

Social and Community Needs Assessment to accompany Planning Proposal for rezoning of land in the Waverley LGA
Bondi Exchange Pty Ltd
JSA has completed a Social and Community Needs Assessment to accompany a Planning Proposal to Waverley Council for rezoning of land to R3 Medium Density Residential. This Assessment Report seeks to fulfil Council’s requirement for a Social Impact Assessment, and has been prepared in consideration of the Waverley Social Impact Assessment Guidelines 2022 and the requirements for a Social and Community Needs Assessment as set out in the Local Environmental Plan Making Guideline (August 2023). The Report considers the projected increase in population from the proposed development on the site and the adequacy of community facilities and open space in the area, given the additional demand created by the population increase.

Social Impact Assessment for State Significant Development (proposed aged care facility) in Carlingford under (SEARS) Seniors Housing
Baptistcare
JSA completed a Social Impact Assessment for Baptistcare which assessed the likely positive and potential adverse social impacts of a proposal for an aged care facility in Carlingford which included seniors independent living units, a residential aged care facility and a range of community amenities. The SIA was prepared in accordance with the Planning Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARS) Seniors Housing.
The SIA looked at, amongst other things: the supply and need for seniors housing in the locality; amenity impacts of the proposed development; and the need for, and provision of, relevant community facilities and open space in the area, including transport to those facilities and an assessment of accessibility. The Report also acknowledged the positive contribution of the proposed facility to the area and provided further recommendations.

AGL APA Gas Import Jetty and Crib Point – Pakenham Gas Pipeline Project, expert peer review of Social Impact Assessment
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

JSA carried out an expert peer review of the social impact assessment prepared for the AGL APA gas import jetty and Crib Point to Pakenham gas pipeline project in Victoria for Harwood Andrews Lawyers acting for Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.  Often in order to provide expert peer review it is essential to undertake independent research and assessment. For this project, JSA reviewed preliminary design documentation, undertook our own demographic analysis and site visit to understand the social context of the development, identified and assessed the potential social impacts of the project in order to provide appropriate feedback and a thorough review of the assessment that had been prepared.

Proposed aged care facility in Neutral Bay, Social Impact Assessment
Cranbrook Care

We prepared an assessment of the likely social impacts associated with the expansion of an existing, private residential aged care facility from 25 to 87 beds in Neutral Bay. The assessment considered the need for, and supply of, aged care supports and facilities in the North Sydney LGA; and particularly the capacity of local residents to take up fee paying places and the potential benefits of freeing up publicly funded places and resources as well as larger homes in the locality to meet the deficit in supply of family homes.

Change of use to a methadone clinic and drug and alcohol counselling centre in Wollongong , Social Impact Assessments and Plan of Management
Denison Street Clinic

JSA carried out work for the Denison Street Clinic, a private methadone clinic and drug and alcohol counselling and rehabilitation service in Wollongong that provides treatment services to over 300 patients of the NSW Health Opioid Treatment Program; as it sought development approval to relocate its operations within the same locality following the sale of the building it had rented in the centre of Wollongong for 24 years.
We prepared Social Impact Assessments for two different sites that included extensive field research including an intercept survey of 200 pedestrians; intercept survey of patients visiting the clinic for treatment; early hours field observations of patient movement and behaviour; interviews with commercial neighbours, service providers and local police; as well as detailed site assessment and desktop analysis of relevant demographic and crime statistics. JSA also prepared an operational Plan of Management for the second application as part of the conditions of consent determined by the Wollongong Local Planning Panel. The Plan of Management sets out how any risk of amenity impacts on neighbouring properties will be mitigated, and makes provisions which are consistent with the Land and Environment Court Planning Principle for management plans.

New Generation Boarding House, Social Impact Assessment
Holmes by Design

We prepared an assessment for a proposed 66 room new generation boarding house in an accessible area of Auburn close to transport, shops and services. This included assessment against the NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 and the relevant provisions of the Boarding House Act 2012 (NSW). As with all such assessments, we considered the suitability of the locality in terms of transport and facilities for future residents, the need for affordable housing in the locality, the amenity of the proposed design for future residents and neighbours, as well as providing the applicant with a draft Plan of Management, Occupancy Agreement and House Rules to ensure that the development is well managed.

New Generation Boarding House, Social Impact Assessment
Dreamscapes Architects Pty Ltd

We prepared a social impact assessment for a proposed new generation boarding house in the heart of Wollongong within walking distance to a range of transport, shopping, service, educational and employment opportunities. The assessment considered the need and demand for smaller, affordable accommodation in central Wollongong; the proximity of the site to transport options; and the amenity of the proposed development for both future residents and neighbouring land uses.

New Generation Boarding House, Social Impact Assessment
Evolve Housing, Pacific Link Housing

We provided an assessment to accompany a Community Housing Provider led development application for a new generation boarding house on the NSW Central Coast. The assessment considered the need for affordable housing in the locality; the internal and external amenity of the proposed design; the character of the locality; access to local services, transport and facilities for future residents; support for the local economy and the proposed management plan for the development. The proposal would provide genuinely affordable, secure and well managed accommodation for very low and low income households in an area with unmet need for this type of housing.

NDIS Provider Group Home, Social Impact Assessment
Sunnyday Carers Pty Ltd

We delivered a social impact assessment for the proposed development of a group home for people with a disability in an existing four bedroom dwelling in the Blacktown City Council area by an NDIS approved provider. The assessment considered the community need for a group home for people with a disability in the locality; the proposal’s demographic context and accessibility to transport and services; safer design aspects of the proposal and its environs; the impact of the proposal on local services and facilities, as well as the potential impact on the cultural and religious values of the local community. The assessment also considered the economic effects of the proposal including employment opportunities in the locality; and the proposed plan of management for the facility.

Purpose Built Child Care Complex, Social Impact Assessment
D & G Preschool Pty Ltd

JSA undertook a comprehensive assessment for the proposed development of a purpose built complex at Rouse Hill in Sydney’s northwest that would include a child care centre, aquatic centre, gym and café. The project considered the need for a child care centre in the locality, transport access to the site, possible conflicting land uses and an assessment of the proposal against relevant planning documents.

Middleton Grange, Social Impact Assessment
The Manta Group Pty Ltd

We mapped baseline community demography and service provision, predicted future population, estimated additional demand for a range of community services and facilities. We undertook consultation with community & stakeholders to understand local issues and further identify impacts. We provided recommendations for mitigations and enhancements to the proposal.

Human Rights Impact Assessment
BHP/Illawarra Coal

We conducted a comprehensive Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) for Illawarra Coal in relation to its direct and indirect operations in Australia and the potential upstream and downstream impacts in Australia and in other countries. We developed a HRIA Framework in accordance with the operating environment of Illawarra Coal, relevant company policy, procedures and human rights commitments, relevant international human rights instruments and principles, and legislation in host countries.

In accordance with BHP Billiton’s procedures, JSA engaged peer review services from an expert human rights specialist at the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, Monash University. JSA’s HRIA Framework and HRIA Report received highly favourable comments from an expert peer reviewer.

Economic Cost Benefit Analysis of Community Legal Centres
National Association of Community Legal Centres

We prepared an evaluation of the national economic impact of Community Legal Centres using a Cost Benefit Analysis evaluation framework involving a detailed quantitative and qualitative assessment of the value of activities undertaken by diverse Centres in three Australian States.  Results showed that the economic benefits of the national CLC sector exceeded costs by a factor of 18 on average. The work has been highly influential at the national level and was the subject of an invited paper at Oxford University at the Legal Services Research Centre International Conference in 2012.

Exploring the relationship between community resilience and irrigated agriculture in the Murray Darling Basin
Cotton Catchment Communities Cooperative Research Centre

We worked closely with the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC to assess the relationship between community wellbeing, resilience and irrigated agriculture, and to quantify the likely social and economic costs and benefits of changes in water availability proposed at the time under the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Dr Stubbs & John Storer presented our findings to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia’s inquiry of the socio-economic impact of the Proposed Basin Plan on regional communities.

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