Realising Sustainable Communities through Robust Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships

Coombes P¹*

1. The People for Places and Spaces, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Three projects, where The People for Places and Spaces (PPS) played a key role as facilitator and mentor to the multi-stakeholder collaborations, will be presented. The presentation will highlight factors that contributed to achieving the impressive outcomes

The successful implementation of these three projects can be attributed to a range of factors including the quality of leadership, the collaboration, learning and relationships between key stakeholders and their ability to foster innovation and nurture significant change

The success of the projects must be attributed to our clients and those who had ‘walk on’ parts as well as The People for Places and Spaces.

The projects are:

• A Walking Bus, which engaged 45 children and their parents. Evaluations have revealed an 80% reduction in journeys to and from school by car and enhanced social connections between all those aboard the walking bus.
• This pilot programme was the first walking bus supported by the State Government of NSW. It was based on collaboration between Planning NSW, Kogarah Council, the children and parents from Carlton and South Hurstville Primary Schools and their P&C and NSW Police.
• A Collaboration between thirty groups and organizations to enhance the quality of luxury cruise passengers port experience in Hobart. The powerful collaboration involved local government, a port authority, tourism authority and operators, transport providers, cultural organizations and volunteers. This work has resulted in an increase of 633% in cruise ship visits to Hobart over a six-year period. The Hobart received the Dreamtime Magazine’s award for ’ the most responsive port outside the USA.’ This is a very impressive result for the cruise port terminal, which doubles as an apple storage area.
• Christchurch City Council. NZ’s Living Streets Charter, which reframed priorities for streets and roads, was placing a priority on pedestrians and cyclists whilst still providing for motorised vehicles. The Charter was developed by Council based on an extensive collaboration with residents, business, professionals and volunteers.
  A number of the Charter’s pilot projects for residential streets will be discussed. These have calmed previously traffic-infested areas, enhanced community connections and the residents’ pride in their local streets. The project received NZ Creative Places Award – Urban Landscape and Design Category Award.