We develop multi-variate analysis tools to measure and monitor sustainable performance and to inform decision making.

Project examples:

• Smart Growth Assessment Tool
  
• TOD (Transit Oriented Development) Assessment Tool
  
• South Perth Civic Triangle Development Options
  
  

Smart Growth Assessment Tool

Developed by Syme Marmion & Co for the City of Wanneroo, the Smart Growth Assessment Tool is a detailed aid to decision making and goes well beyond the simple checklist which is becoming common in various planning jurisdictions. A cumulative score and corresponding smart growth rating is produced when the SGAT is completed.

Developers are able to use the SGAT to make self-assessments of proposals at the three levels of local planning (district structure plan, local structure plan and subdivision). The development information and data are weighted and ranked automatically by the SGAT. The weighting and ranking are based on the combined local knowledge of the City of Wanneroo officers and Councillors and formulae created by Syme Marmion & Co. The weighting and ranking system can only be altered as part of a review process however the system is very flexible and it is possible to add other stakeholder views if required as a result of the review.

The information required is comprehensive, reflecting all of the information that the City may require of a developer for a substantial project. It also incorporates the requirements of relevant national and state government policies and statutes, including the Liveable Neighbourhoods Code. Areas where the development proposal does not conform to statutory or local policy requirements are clearly identified and this information can form the focus of future discussions, plan modifications and developer agreements.

Further information on the Smart Growth Assessment Tool is available on the City of Wanneroo website.

TOD (Transit Oriented Development) Assessment Tool

Syme Marmion & Co was commissioned by the Public Transport Authority and the Department for Planning & Infrastructure to create a mechanism through which all existing and proposed Public Transport hubs could be assessed in terms of “value for money” by the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Committee. The exercise necessarily required Syme Marmion & Co to facilitate a stakeholder consensus on objectives, criteria, levels of measurement and priorities. The TOD Assessment Tool has been an essential means of evaluating a large number of competing projects and maintaining a consistent rationale for investment and implementation. The Tool is supported by expert judgment on land use planning and development, TOD criteria, sustainability criteria, meta data analysis, project feasibility and implementation models and is unique within Australia.

South Perth Civic Triangle Development Options

This project required the investigation of development options for the key Civic Triangle site in South Perth with identification and triple bottom line assessment of possible development scenarios. Steve Marmion developed a Multi-Criteria Analysis format to rank the development options based on economic, social and environmental criterion. A weighting system was also employed for the analysis in order to give each option an overall sustainability score. A key issue for this project was the proposed South Perth train station and the effect it may have on development in the South Perth peninsula precinct. John Syme and Bill Marmion were required to liaise directly with key planning decision makers in Government as part of the front end planning for the project.