Automation strategy for generating Developer’s “Contributions Plans” in line with the State ePlanning initiative.

Situation:

Holler had a brief to deliver strategic recommendations around generating the ‘Contributions Plans’ in a digitally automated manner.

Contributions Plans are the financial contributions made by developers for infrastructure based upon the parameters of their development. This might be greenfield developments, or urban re-developments.

This was one element of the larger state-wide ePlanning initiative that would eventually automate all development applications and planning decisions.

Task:

My responsibility was to research and understand the process and break it into functional components that could be used to digitally complete the process online.

It would require workflow for all the levels of government, and the different responsibilities.

Action:

I conducted online research, and informal research with the clients initially to frame the project.

Next I conducted a workshop for 6 state level stakeholders, the drivers of the project.

Then I conducted a workshop for 16 local area government and industry stakeholders who would be the key users of the front end of the project.

Result:

I compiled a strategy that contained the following key elements:

Creation of objects that interacted independently based upon data keys. This enabled an evolution in line with legislation changes and priority updates without demanding re-development of the entire structure. It also enabled modular expansion into other ePlanning projects and a path to greater things.

Combination of levy, DA and Area parameters to generate a ‘live’ contributions plan in a self service manner, reducing workload on planning officers statewide by a significant amount.

Creating a pipeline of real time development activity and contributions cash flow to accelerate planning insight from 5 years to real-time.

Graphic and cartographic representation of data in a ‘Command Centre’ style touch interface, with drill down to individual projects and financing cash flow.

Adaptability for local area government individualisation of business processes and revenue collection.

Integration of ‘Big Data’ resources available to State Government for cross reference and validation.