Planning

The purpose of the project was to test the applicability of procedures and ideas from the contemporary Organisation Learning and System Dynamics areas to transport policy and planning. This main aim of this project was to develop a process through which to integrate the economic, ecological and social aspects of transport/regional development issues and opportunities while supporting a high degree of transparency and understanding for the diversity of stakeholders. The methodology had both qualitative and quantitative dimensions. A series of three workshops were undertaken at each of Warwick (Qld), Moree (NSW) and Narrabri (NSW) to mud-map the relationships between elements of the transport task. This was followed by one to one sessions with key people to quantify some of the relationships. This lent itself to developing a model to address some of the key questions faced at the local level. The analysis was strategic in nature and demonstrated the potential for the technique to quantify some of the outcomes. A particular strength of the process in relation to this application is the generation of politically compelling argument to support any required policy/legislative changes needed to implement specific funding opportunities.