CDU researchers assist in shaping Territory’s future
18 December 2008
Academics from Charles Darwin University’s School for Social and Policy Research will provide demographic research to support the Territory’s 2030 plan.
CDU demographers will supply specialist research and expert advice to the newly formed Territory Growth Planning Unit (TGPU), responsible for a high-level Steering Committee tasked with developing a 20-year strategic plan for the Territory.
The TGPU already has existing expertise and access to economists, planners and other relevant professionals across the public sector, but the unit identified the need for specialist demographic expertise from CDU.
Executive Director for the TGPU in the Chief Minister’s Department, David Malone said the TGPU secured the demographic expertise through a partnership arrangement with CDU’s School for Social and Policy Research and the Department of the Chief Minister (DCM).
“The partnership between DCM and CDU recognises the growing needs of the Territory and promotes collaboration between the University and Government for the benefit of all Territorians,” Mr Malone said.
SSPR demographers will work within three key areas, including population changes, particularly in light of the arrival of the INPEX gas plant, housing and social inclusion.
CDU Principal Research Fellow - Population Studies at SSPR, Dr Dean Carson said CDU has a strong demographic research program and this new partnership with DCM offered even more opportunities to communicate research findings to key people in government and industry.
“The partnership is exciting to us because it recognises the value of demographic research in planning the future of the NT,” Dr Carson said.
“We have a small population, but it is complex and there are great dichotomies between rural and urban, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and temporary and long-term residents.
“In return for us being the demography experts, the Territory Growth Planning Unit is helping us to build skills and knowledge to attract post-graduate students, high-quality staff, publish our research, and to form research collaborations internationally.”
The Territory 2030 plan will set the future direction of the Northern Territory for the next two decades. Territorians will be encouraged to have their say in the plan’s development via a Territory-wide community consultation early in 2009.
For more information visit www.territory2030.nt.gov.au.
ENDS
SSPR media contact:
Shane Thamm
P: +61 8 8946 6153
