Local Government Research Group
The Local Government Research Group conducts research and consultancy projects on issues relevant to the needs of regional and urban councils in Queensland. Key research areas include:
Projects completed for Queensland local councils by the Local Government Research Group include: carbon management and reporting, energy efficiency, corporate programs, IT services, urban planning, community engagement and economic development. Other areas include affordable housing, greenfield development, sustainable communities and digital futures.
List of projects
- Climate Change Mitigation Survey of Queensland Councils
- Green Business Leaders: Energy Savers
- Regional Carbon Management Plan South Burnett Regional Council
- Transforming Regions to Innovate and Compete in 21st Century Economies
- Community Service Program Evaluation
- IT Service Management
- RAAF Amberley – Ipswich Futures
- Greenfield Development, Ripley Valley
- Community Engagement, Lockyer Valley
- Digital Futures Strategy
The Local Government Research Group has completed research and consultancy projects for:
- Local Government Infrastructure Services (LGIS)
- City Smart, Brisbane City Council
- Fraser Coast Regional Council
- Ipswich City Council
- Isaac Regional Council
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- South Burnett Regional Council
- Toowoomba Regional Council
- Western Downs Regional Council
Successful grants for research projects in local government areas include: Australian Research Council Linkage Project grant, Biodiversity Fund grant, Energy Efficiency Information grant, LGIS, Regional and Rural Research and Development grant, and EIDOS Institute grant. Members have produced a range of reports and other publications on local government research topics.
Our local government research is completed by members with expertise in carbon accounting, community engagement, environmental and social sustainability, ICT, surveys, and planning. Some USQ staff have worked in Queensland local government, including Strategic Projects and Environmental Planning (Toowoomba), Social Policy and Research (Gold Coast), IT Services (Gold Coast), Workforce and Economic Development (Logan, Scenic Rim).
Other USQ programs affiliated with the Local Government Research Group include:
Career and Organisational Research Unit (CORE)
Healthy People, Healthy Workplace, Healthy Communities
Clients include former councils: Beaudesert Shire, Caboolture Shire and Toowoomba City
Digital Futures (Collaborative Research Network)
Social and Policy Challenges in Rural and Regional Australia (ICT Innovation)
Economic Development and Enterprise Collaboration (EDEC)
Transforming Regions to Innovate and Compete in 21st Century Economies (Fraser Coast)
EDEC Colloquium on Regional Economies (PDF*525KB), USQ Fraser Coast, 1-3 December 2012
The Local Government Research Group assists Queensland local councils in meeting their corporate, carbon and community development goals.
Research and consultancy enquiries are welcome from Queensland local councils, local government associations, regional development organisations, NRM agencies and other groups.
Contact the Coordinator, Local Government Research Group:
Associate Professor Heather Zeppel (PDF*430KB)
Email:heather.zeppel@usq.edu.au, Phone: (07) 3470 4453
Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development:
Email:infoacsbd@usq.edu.au, Phone: (07) 3470 4450
List of members
Affiliate members
Download/view our Local Government Research Group capability statement (PDF*443KB)
Download/view our Local Government Research Group publications (PDF*418KB)
Download/view our Local Government Research Group services (PDF*201KB)
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