Phase three: local government case study selection

The third stage of this study was to select potential local government council case studies (see Appendix 3). Seven councils were selected as potential case studies because they demonstrated broader knowledge of local social enterprises and of existing relationships between local government and social enterprises. These seven councils were identified as having the most prevalent knowledge of social enterprise activities. Three of the seven councils placed the responsibility of social enterprises within their Economic Development and Community Development departments, three nominated Community Development as having sole responsibility and one nominated Economic Development as having sole responsibility for social enterprises. Five councils indicated they have no policies relating to social enterprise, however two did make reference to social enterprise in community support guidelines.

To facilitate selection of final four case studies, case boundaries were determined by focusing on four key questions:

 In what specific ways does your council work with social enterprises?

 In what areas do these social enterprises work?

 Which area or department of your council has responsibility for social enterprises?

 Does your council have any policies related to social enterprises?

And for broader analysis of these seven cases, location and population base of each municipal area was included because of potential influence each of these variables may have on the extent and nature of the relationship between local government and social enterprises (see 3.4.3 Table 1 below).

3.4.3 Table 1: Population Municipal Areas (Source: www.abs.gov.au as at 31/03/20110

Municipal area Populations

Glenorchy 44,716 West Tamar 22,699 Burnie 19,892 Meander Valley 19,747 Waratah-Wynyard 14,096 Northern Midlands 12,726 Glamorgan-Spring Bay 4,057

Further differentiation of the seven councils was made by reviewing online (website) profiles of each of these potential case study councils, in particular to determine range and extent of community engagement and socio-economic base within each municipal area. Briefly, the profiles identified:

 Glenorchy municipal area has the largest population, but has a significant culturally diverse and disadvantaged population, and in collaboration with community have developed and implemented a socially inclusive Social Plan. (See

http://www.gcc.tas.gov.au/)

 West Tamar municipal area has a steadily increasing population, a slightly higher index of relative socio-economic disadvantage, and an unemployment rate of 5.5%. The West Tamar Council acknowledged its need to plan for increased mental health and aged care provision. (See www.wtc.tas.gov.au/)

 Burnie City Council has in consultation with over 500 community members developed a Community Plan: Making Burnie 2030. This Plan has enabled the Burnie City Council and its community to collaboratively reflect on its heavy industrial past, understand current socio-economic issues, and re-establish a vision for the future. The Burnie municipal area had been rated as an extremely low socio-economic area, with very high youth unemployment. (See www.burnie.net/)

 Meander Valley municipal area comprises of 10 small townships with Deloraine as its main centre, and has the reputation of being one of Tasmania’s more progressive and pro-active Councils, attracting considerable investment in agriculture and urban development. While Meander Valley is challenged by an ageing demographic and an unemployment rate of around 6%, it hosted 2 significant community-driven nationally recognised events – Agfest and Deloraine Craft Fair. Meander Valley Council also had a ‘working together’ policy that had encouraged the establishment of community working groups, eg Meander Valley Economic Renewal Action Group. (See

www.meander.tas.gov.au/)

 Waratah-Wynyard municipal area sits between Circular Head and Burnie municipal areas. This municipal area was also challenged by an ageing demographic and high unemployment. This area supported agricultural industries, eg tulips/flower production, timber and potatoes, and tourism, eg Waratah, the Tarkine, and Corinna. Waratah- Wynyard comprised several small townships, the main business centre is Wynyard. It is noted here that Waratah-Wynyard Council is where the researcher is an elected representative. (See www.warwyn.tas.gov.au/)

 Northern Midlands Council also comprised several small townships, with an ageing demographic and high unemployment. Northern Midlands Community Development Plan supported community-driven change supported with council resourcing and facilitation. Northern Midlands profile information does not provide in-depth statistical data relating to local socio-economic needs. (See www.northernmidlands.tas.gov.au/)  Glamorgan-Spring Bay municipal area incorporates five major townships and several

smaller villages and outlying farming communities. While the website profile did not provide full demographic information, population downturn indicated a correlation in the downturn in the economy of this area. The Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council has established Section 24 Committees that oversee community facilities, events and community services. (See www.gsbc.tas.gov.au/)

After analysis of all the above data, Burnie City Council, Meander Valley Council, Glamorgan- Spring Bay Council and Glenorchy City Council were selected as final case study councils in this study. However, to further determine appropriateness of this selection other key factors were considered – geographical location, municipal area, and socio-demographics. Analysis of these factors as presented in 3.4.3 Table 2 demonstrate the wide geographical spread of these case study councils and the diversity of the sizes of each municipal area. Median age, main employing industry, average wage and population also identifies socio-demographic variability as possible influences on government and governance of each of these case study councils.

3.4.3 Table 2

Area km2 _{Population Median age} Main employing industry Average wage *Number of Councillors Burnie City Council 6.109 20,148 38.7 Retail $43,707.70 10 Glamorgan- Spring Bay 25.913 4,432 53.6 Tourism / hospitality $37.191.70 9 Glenorchy City Council 12.115 45,382 39 Retail $41,479.40 10 Meander Valley Council 3.821 19,633 42.9 Retail $41,602.70 9

*Local government elections October 2014 – may have changed number of Councillors (elected representatives) after this date.

To finalise case study council selection process, each selected case study was contacted by email with a further invitation for General Managers and/or nominated council Officers and elected

representatives to participate. Invitations were accepted by these councils and each General Manager offered to seek out Elected Representatives and senior administration staff willing to participate in the semi-structured interview process. Figure 1 below represents the geographical location of each of the selected case study councils.

Figure 1 Pop: 19,892 Pop: 4,507 Pop: 44,716 Source: http://www.tas.gov.au/tasmaniaonline/community/ Population as at 31/03/two011: www.abs.gov.au Pop: 19,747