Background and aims
Global Research was engaged to report on submissions received on proposed changes to the planning controls for late night trading in the City of Sydney. Sydneysiders were asked for their views on where and when late-night trading should happen in Sydney.
The proposed changes to the Late-Night Trading Development Control Plan were placed on public exhibition from 27 November 2018 and until 8 February 2019. The public exhibition sought feedback from businesses and the community on the proposals for new and extended late night trading precincts, changes to hours and more diverse trading in the city.
Our role
Global Research worked closely with the City of Sydney to deliver comprehensive analysis of public submissions about amendments to late night trading policies. Over 1,000 responses were collated and their content examined to reveal where the weight of opinion lay on this topic. Working closely with CoS meant a tailored report, formatted to their specifications was delivered, on time and within budget.
Design and method
Submissions were received from community members by way of online submissions, and responses received directly in email/letter formats.
999 respondents made submissions online.
95 posted or emailed submissions were received from the community or business and stakeholder groups.
Qualitative analysis of the free-text written responses was undertaken by Global Research analysts. All comments were read and organised (coded) into themes and topics. A coding schedule was prepared to organise all the information received, show the structure of the ultimate report and to keep City of Sydney staff informed from the early stages of analysis
Comments were coded into groups that supported or opposed the proposed changes. In addition, neutral comments were coded together, as well as the comments on the process/plan itself. Most comments made multiple points and so were coded to multiple topics. Once coding was completed comments which made similar points on particular topics were synthesised and comprise the body.
Result
The Global Research report presented discussion under four themes, each of which was divided into key topics:
Theme 1 Support for late-night trading planning controls
Theme 2 Opposition to late-night trading planning controls
Theme 3 Neutral suggestions
Theme 4 Comments on the draft DCP
The weight of opinion on the themes listed above allowed the City of Sydney to gain clear insight into how people regard the late night trading rules. This allowed them to go forward confident that resulting rule changes (if any) are well considered have the support of the populations affected.
Outcome
Following community consultation, the City of Sydney approved changes to the planning controls for late-night trading in Sydney. Findings as outlined in the Global Research report were publicised on the City of Sydney website, as well as in local media.
(Image:Trent Szmolnik on Unsplash)