Infrastructure and Economic Development
We specialise in economic and regional development, encompassing strategic planning and precinct development. Our work addresses critical challenges such as future industries and jobs, investment attraction, employment growth, enterprise development, regional focus, and precinct specialisation.
Focus Areas
Transport
Economic Development
Regional Development
Urban Development
Precincts & Hubs
Project Examples
City of Melbourne, Economic Development Strategy
Developed the City of Melbourne's economic development strategy, focusing on knowledge, visitor, and creative economies, and key precincts. This included extensive online codesign workshops with hundreds of stakeholders (2020-22).
Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions (Vic), Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy
Advised on the Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy for the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (Vic), focusing on business outcome measurement, initial priorities, and the role of regional hubs (2022).
University of Melbourne, R&D Commercialisation Hub
A feasibility study for the University of Melbourne and the State Government on establishing a biomedical R&D commercialisation hub in the Parkville precinct (2019-20).
Education
Our expertise spans early childhood, schools, VET, higher education, and research organisations. We address critical challenges in education such as teaching and learning innovation, equity, technology integration, and workforce development. In research, our focus includes impact assessment, commercialisation strategies, and digital infrastructure.
We possess a deep understanding of the higher education and research sectors, having partnered extensively with universities on strategy, digital transformation, research impact, and commercialisation initiatives.
Research Excellence
Strategies for achieving research excellence and distinction.
Research Impact
Maximising real-world research impact.
Commercialisation
Facilitating technology transfer and startup creation.
Digital Transformation
Driving technology-enabled teaching, learning, and research.
Project Examples
University of Melbourne, Research Strategy
Developed a comprehensive research strategy for the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Business and Economics, emphasising excellence and impact. Project involved extensive stakeholder engagement, codesign workshops, and the creation of an implementation roadmap (2022-24).
University of Melbourne, Digital Strategy
Formulated a digital strategy for the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Business and Economics, covering teaching, learning, research, and administration (2022-23).
Monash University, Commercialisation Strategy
Led multiple projects to significantly enhance commercialisation outcomes within Monash University's ecosystem. This included developing strategies to incentivise researchers, strengthen technology transfer, and establish pre-seed/seed funds and a business incubator (2019-23).
Health
We work across health, aged care, disability, and research. We help develop strategies and plans including codesign workshops, and also undertake program reviews and evaluations.
Focus Areas
Chronic illness
Prevention and early intervention
Public and community health
Health and medical research
Financial sustainability
Technology and innovation
Project Examples
VicHealth, Regional Sports
Developed financial sustainability plans and a performance framework for nine Regional Sports Assemblies across regional Victoria, incorporating codesign forums in each region (2023-24).
Fight MND, Impact Framework
Designed a comprehensive framework to measure and communicate the impact of Fight MND's activities, reflecting both its first decade of operation and future goals. This included extensive codesign workshops with internal and external stakeholders (2023).
Latrobe Health Advocate, Strategic Planning
Led the design and facilitation of a codesign workshop to establish a five-year vision and a detailed 12-month action plan for the organisation (2020).
Community
Our work spans human services, employment, and multicultural initiatives. We address critical challenges such as financial sustainability, community hub development, social enterprise models, and digital transformation.
We specialise in developing robust strategies and compelling business cases for diverse community programs.
Focus Areas
Community Hubs
Fostering gathering places where communities thrive.
Social Enterprise
Creating social value through innovative business models.
Financial Sustainability
Ensuring long-term viability for organisations.
Digital Transformation
Leveraging technology to enhance service delivery.
Multicultural Communities
Delivering services tailored for diverse populations.
Project Examples
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Indian Community Centre – Developed a business case for establishing an Indian Community Centre in Geelong (2024).
Ganbina
Transformation – Advised on business practice improvements and digitisation to expand their education-to-employment support model for Indigenous youth, ensuring financial sustainability (2021-22).
Assembled Threads
Expansion Business Case – Developed an expansion business case for this social enterprise, focused on clothing manufacture by CALD communities, partially funded by the Scanlon Foundation (2021).
First Nations
We partner with First Nations organisations and communities on diverse projects. Our unique approach integrates a national network of First Nations consultants directly into our teams, ensuring culturally informed solutions and effective engagement.
Meaningful engagement and superior solutions arise from the direct involvement of First Nations consultants in research and analysis. In collaboration with our First Nations consultants, we have developed robust principles and protocols for engagement.
We specialise in designing and delivering codesign workshops tailored to First Nations preferences. We are proud of our impactful contributions to First Nations communities, often undertaking pro bono projects for their organisations.
Key Principles
First Nations consultants as integral team members
Culturally appropriate engagement methods
Respect for protocols and preferences
Self-determination at the centre
Long-term relationships and commitment
Project Examples
Department of Jobs Skills Industry and Regions (Vic)
Albury-Wodonga Aboriginal Community Plan – Developed business cases and feasibility studies for three priority initiatives: cross-border community governance, aged care, and an education/economic hub. This involved extensive consultation and codesign workshops (2022-23).
First Nations Assembly
Treaty Day Out – Evaluated a 2023 event in Naarm celebrating Indigenous culture, showcasing talent, and advancing self-determination and treaty (2023).
City of Melbourne
Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy – Crafted a strategy to boost employment and economic inclusion for Aboriginal people and businesses within the city (2021-22).
Agriculture and Environment
We specialise in agriculture, environment, land, and water, tackling critical challenges like trade, technology, regenerative agriculture, climate change, and biodiversity.
We expertly navigate the unique challenges and opportunities within agriculture and environmental sectors, addressing everything from climate change impacts and sustainable practices to agritech advancements and industry development.
Our work includes industry strategies, technology roadmaps, and business development for innovative enterprises at the intersection of agriculture and environment.
Focus Areas
Industry strategy and development
Technology and innovation
Climate adaptation and sustainability
Regional development
First Nations agricultural enterprises
Environmental policy and programmes
Project Examples
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Wine Industry Strategy – Developed a collaborative strategy for the Victorian wine industry with the Victorian Government and Wine Victoria, involving extensive consultation and codesign workshops statewide (2024-25).
VensoGrow
Technology Development Roadmap – Designed and facilitated two full-day workshops for this agritech startup to produce a 2025-26 technology development roadmap for their patented seed coating and drying technology (2025).
Native Grains
Industry Roadmap and Regional Hub – Collaborated with a First Nations entrepreneur to develop an R&D roadmap for establishing a native grains industry in Australia, emphasising Indigenous participation and governance, and creating a business structure and plan for a regional hub (2021-24).
Sectors