The CASIMO web app
Community needs analysis (gap analysis)
Population multipliers and provision standards
Physical Suitability (condition audits and Fitness for purpose assessments)
Capacity & utilisation of facilities
Walkability and drive time
CASIMO is an online web-application that enables users to create a comprehensive database of existing, planned and even hypothetical community services and facilities. With CASIMO you can conduct a range of community needs assessments, define and easily update planning standards, and identify your community infrastructure priorities.
More information coming soon but for now download the CASIMO web app summary.
Local governments in Victoria currently subscribed to CASIMO include: Ballarat City Council, Casey City Council, Darebin City Council, Golden Plains Shire Council, Hobsons Bay City Council, Kingston City Council, Knox City Council, Melton City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Moorabool Shire Council, and Stonnington City Council. A further eight councils make use of CASIMO to inform their Kindergarten Infrastructure and Service Plans (KISPs) and Community Infrastructure Plans. For details please contact us.
Community Infrastructure Planning Frameworks
Policies, Planning and Design Guidelines
Inter-departmental relationships, processes and common aims
Service-driven asset management and infrastructure investment
Identify and prioritise infrastructure priorities
Evidence-based business cases and advocacy
The planning frameworks being developed by a number of Victorian councils seek to move away from inflexible ‘snapshot in time’ plans and studies towards repeatable, updatable and comprehensive business processes. Frameworks provide overarching structures or systems that guide the planning, development, and management of community facilities and services. They provide a strategic foundation for decision-making, ensuring that infrastructure investments align with community needs, organisational goals, and long-term financial and social sustainability.
Key components and characteristics of frameworks include:
Strategic guidance: Frameworks outline a scope, vision, key objectives, decision-making principles, and strategic directions for community infrastructure.
Planning and delivery processes: Frameworks often detail the step-by-step processes involved in community infrastructure planning and delivery. This includes data collection, infrastructure audits, community needs assessments, co-design, project development, funding and delivery.
Integration and collaboration: Frameworks emphasise the importance of integration and collaboration between the many different departments and stakeholders involved in community infrastructure. They promote a coordinated approach to planning and service delivery.
Alignment between documents and business processes: Frameworks identify linkages and dependencies between service plans and strategies, asset management plans, and strategic land use plans. Frameworks ensure that community infrastructure plans are informed by pre-existing work and can successfully pull together different service and infrastructure priorities under the one plan.
Roles and responsibilities: Frameworks define the roles and responsibilities of different teams and individuals within the organisation, ensuring clarity and accountability.
Guiding principles: Frameworks may include a set of guiding principles that inform decision-making and ensure infrastructure investment is aligned with broader community goals. These principles may cover areas such as multipurpose design, shared use, adaptable design, accessibility, sustainability and equity.
Flexibility and adaptability: Frameworks should be flexible to account for changing community needs and circumstances. They provide a structure for ongoing planning and review, allowing for adjustments and improvements over time.
It is important to note that the content and focus of frameworks will vary depending on the specific circumstances of each council area. Some frameworks may focus on high quality service-delivery, while others will prioritise long-term-financial sustainability. Some will include detailed environmental considerations (such as Environmentally Sustainable Design requirements), while others will highlight the importance of Universal Design. There is no ‘one size fits all; the key is to develop a framework that is tailored to the specific needs and goals of the community it affects.
Check out:
Social Infrastructure Planners Special Interest Group (Victoria)
Collaborative events and working groups
Ideas sharing and development of common practice
Integrated service and facilities planning
The Social Infrastructure Planners Special Interest Group (SIG) - formerly the Social Infrastructure Planners Network - formed in 2014 to provide local government planners with a place to share ideas, ask questions and collaborate on the topic of social infrastructure planning. It currently includes representatives from over 30 councils and other Government organisations from across Greater Melbourne and regional Victoria.
For more information and to join the Network (Government representatives only please) visit the Local Government Pro website at www.LGPro.com.