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Local Government Research Expertise

What is Local Government Research Expertise?

Taverner Research Group, alongside Jetty Research and IRIS Research, has completed over 80 research and community engagement projects for local councils across New South Wales and Queensland in the past five years.

We specialise in inclusive, bias‑minimized research within tight budget constraints, delivering community satisfaction studies, community strategic planning insights, waste and recycling behaviour research, environmental awareness assessment, and active transport initiatives.

Customer or Community Satisfaction

We have conducted customer or community satisfaction research for over 30 councils, including prominent ones such as Northern Beaches, North Sydney, Strathfield, Cumberland, Hornsby, as well as approximately 30 regional councils in NSW and Queensland.

Inform Community Strategic Plans

Our expertise extends to conducting research that provides valuable insights for the development of Community Strategic Plans. Notable examples include Hornsby, Lake Macquarie, Canterbury-Bankstown, the eight member councils of the Canberra Regional Organisation of Councils (ROC), and Shellharbour councils.

Waste, Recycling, & FOGO-related Research

 We have worked with over 30 councils on research projects related to waste management, recycling, and FOGO (Food Organics, Garden Organics). Our clients in this area include WSROC, Newcastle City Council, Randwick Council, Tweed Shire Council, Hunter Regional Organisation of Councils, and the six local government areas comprising the MidCoast Waste Forum.

Measure & Explore Environmental Awareness, Understanding, Attitudes, & Behaviors

Our expertise extends to measuring and exploring environmental awareness, understanding, attitudes, and behaviors. Clients in this domain include Waverley Council, Randwick City Council, and Lake Macquarie City Council.

Active Transport Research

We have conducted research on active transport for various councils, including the City of Sydney, Northern Beaches Council, and Bathurst Regional Council. This research focuses on promoting and understanding modes of transportation that encourage physical activity, such as walking and cycling.

At Taverner Research, we bring extensive experience and a deep understanding of the unique research needs of local government councils. Our proven track record and expertise enable us to deliver valuable insights and strategic guidance for effective decision-making and community engagement.

To discuss any of these projects, or your own specific needs, contact us below

Here are additional examples of projects we have successfully delivered:

  • Customer Satisfaction Survey for a Sydney Council: We conducted a comprehensive customer satisfaction survey for a council in Sydney. The survey involved a combination of random fixed-line and mobile telephone interviews with 600 residents, ensuring a representative sample.
  • Waste and Recycling Services Survey for a Major NSW Regional City: We conducted a thorough survey focusing on various aspects of waste and recycling services in a significant regional city in NSW. The project involved a random sample of 800 residents, with interviews conducted through both telephone and online platforms. The survey included scenarios presenting different pricing options for bin collection services to gather insights and preferences.
  • Asset Prioritisation Survey for a Hunter-Based Council: We assisted a council in the Hunter region with an asset prioritization survey. This project involved conducting a random survey of 500 residents through both fixed-line and mobile telephone interviews. The survey aimed to gather valuable insights to prioritize and allocate resources effectively.
  • Internal Customer Service Quality Survey for a Major Queensland Council: We conducted an in-depth survey to assess the quality of internal customer service for a prominent council in Queensland. The survey involved collecting feedback from over 1,000 employees through an online survey, providing valuable insights to improve internal processes and enhance overall customer service.
  • Community Wellbeing Survey for a Regional Queensland Council: We conducted a comprehensive survey focusing on community wellbeing for a regional council in Queensland. The project involved a combination of telephone and online surveys conducted with 1,000 residents. The survey aimed to understand the overall well-being of the community and identify areas for improvement and targeted interventions.

These examples showcase our ability to design and execute research projects using a variety of methodologies to meet the specific needs and objectives of our clients. We ensure robust data collection and analysis techniques to deliver valuable insights and actionable recommendations. To discuss any of these projects, or your own specific needs, contact us below.

Some of the clients we are proud to work with:

Local Government FAQs

How many local councils has Taverner worked with?

Taverner Research has worked with more than 80 local councils across New South Wales and Queensland. Our long-term experience gives us a strong understanding of the challenges councils face and the insights they need to support informed decision-making.

What types of research does Taverner conduct for local governments?

We conduct community satisfaction surveys, service performance tracking, stakeholder consultations, and employee engagement studies. Our work also includes program evaluation, policy development research and tailored projects to address specific community priorities.

How does Taverner ensure representative feedback from communities?

We use robust sampling methods to make sure survey results reflect the diversity of each community. Our researchers consider factors such as age, gender, location and household type to ensure every group has a voice in the results.

Which specific topics have been covered in Taverner's local government research?

Our local government projects have explored topics such as community satisfaction, infrastructure planning, environmental initiatives, service delivery, customer service performance, special rate variations, active transport and civic engagement. We tailor each study to meet the council’s objectives and local context.

Are research agencies independent and unbiased?

Yes. Independent research agencies operate without influence from stakeholders or internal interests, ensuring that findings are objective and credible. Taverner Research follows recognised professional standards and ethical guidelines to provide impartial insights that clients can rely on with confidence.

How can I ensure my research is representative of community views?

To achieve representative results, it is important to use a well-designed sampling plan that reflects the makeup of the community. This includes balancing factors such as age, gender, location and household type. Taverner Research uses proven sampling methods and quality controls to make sure every group has a voice and the findings accurately reflect community sentiment.

How can insights and findings be provided to me?

Taverner Research works in partnership with every client to deliver insights in a clear and practical way. We provide detailed reports, visual summaries and presentations that highlight what matters most to your organisation.

Before each project, we review past research to plan a more effective approach and reduce unnecessary complexity and cost. You’ll work directly with experienced researchers who stay closely involved throughout the process, offering a proactive and personalised experience. Clients often tell us they value how easy and enjoyable we are to work with.

Get in touch

Have any questions? We’d love to hear from you