Welcome to
CCA Unwrapped.
For the past 31 years Creating Communities has been uniting community and industry to change the world for the better.
This year we’ve stepped this up, challenging ourselves to find new ways to leverage our knowledge and relationships to grow reach and impact.
Pursuing greater reach and impact has led to us forging new ground:
- Readying regional areas for the critical minerals boom through integrated planning.
- Building frameworks for Just Transitions from carbon intensive industries to renewable energy.
- Leveraging our knowledge to build AI that provides industry and government deep insight on social fabric.
- Integrate digital communications to support community decision making
A truth that lies at the heart of all our work is that we are better together. We thank you for coming to the table and for your contributions as we unite communities and industry to deliver equitable and sustainable benefits for all. We couldn’t do this without you.
A huge shout out also to our extraordinary team whose heart for community is the fuel that accelerates our work.
Thank you all for joining us on this journey.
Donna Shepherd
CEO, Creating Communities
Innovation
Innovation has been at the heart of our organisation for three decades, 2023 will be remembered as a year of innovation at scale.
01.
The Social 9:
When innovation, community and AI collide.
Early in the year, we began building an artificial intelligence product to use generative technology in our work helping us to grow impact and reach. Our new Social 9™ AI-assisted tools gather data to across nine dimensions of community flourishing. The Social 9™ will drive better outcomes for all types of communities, providing deeper insights at scale enabling data driven decision-making for local government, regional planning, FIFO, and much more.
To keep posted, sign-up for our blog.
02.
FIFO Insider
This year we also launched FIFO Insider™ – an online platform to continue our work with FIFO workers and providers. This platform also carries an AI dimension to drive improvements in the FIFO experience.
Creation and innovation are in our DNA - when we encounter communities, we look to the power of co-creation
03.
Water in mining
Our year was punctuated with innovative work for our clients, which included a water stewardship project for one of our key mining clients. The project delivered vast amounts of information through accessible formats to take the community on the journey. It illustrates the power of our multi-disciplinary approach, combining our engagement and communications nous with new technologies.
Each of these projects illustrates our ambition to propel just and equitable outcomes in community by uniting business and community.
Regeneration
The quote from Alice in Wonderland holds a powerful truth:
“(Sometimes) It takes all the running you can do to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!”
We made big and small decisions in 2023 to pave the way for the decade ahead.
04.
We reinvigorated the Creating Communities' brand and launched our new website.
Brands tell stories and as Creating Communities has grown, so has the way in which we tell our story
05.
New Directors
This year, we welcomed three new directors. Kylie Elsegood Smith, Jessica Barker and Melanie Billig joined Allan Tranter, Donna Shepherd and Andrew Watt. Our new directors lead our strategy, community and creative teams.
Celebration
We work hard to identify and realise quick wins for communities in our work, so it’s deeply satisfying when a larger audience can enjoy those wins.
06.
Sustainable, positive impact. Together.
Through May and June this year, we drew together a campaign celebrating the diverse, collective impacts of Newman Futures. Under the banner ‘Sustainable, positive impact. Together.’ we highlighted the range of partnerships and initiatives between organisations, stakeholders and community members that have helped grow a diverse, flourishing, inclusive economy.
07.
East Newman Precinct Structure Plan
In November, Creating Communities was proud to share that the First Nations proponents of the East Newman Precinct Structure Plan have been recognised at the Planning Institute of Australia’s State Awards for their exemplary co-design methods to create better outcomes for the East Newman community.
Co-designed by Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation and Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, with the support of Creating Communities and Hames Sharley, the Plan mapped out a path forward to ensure Strong Culture and Strong Families in East Newman.
Planning is never the product of silo-work but of co-creation and collaboration.
08.
PIA Awards
The East Newman Precinct Structure Plan was the winner of the Planning with Country award and received a High Commendation for Strategic Planning at the PIA WA Awards for Planning Excellence. A third celebration on the night was a Commendation for Planning Excellence for our Stakeholder Engagement on the Shaping Sorrento Plaza project.
Our Social Team kept things awesome in 2023 with lawn bowls, an Easter drawing competition (we see you, Melanie Billig!), a Paint & Sip event, and a wholehearted celebration of our CEO’s milestone birthday!
Collaboration
Collaboration is at the heart of the work of Creating Communities. We strive to empower people to become change agents in their own communities and organisations.
09.
Collaboration
Highlights during the year included: our collaboration with Pilbara Education Partnership, the new Coolgardie miners collaboration, our ongoing community engagements for the East Newman Precinct Structure Plan, the Martu Patrol Youth Music Project, the launch of our Food Project Pilot in East Newman and many more.
10.
Collaboration continued with our team’s first visit to Ngaanyatjarra Lands for an ongoing partnership with these eleven desert communities.
11.
Events, events, events
Our brimming roster of land development engagements has helped grow and deepen connections and wellbeing in communities across the Perth metropolitan area. Engagement events at Golden Bay, Brabham Estate, Lakelands, Wellard, Yanchep Estate, Shorehaven Estate, Movida and Elevale were among those that brought community members together in diverse and unique ways.
12.
Engagement & Social Impact
It was reflected in Social Impact Assessments at Pannawonica and Roxby Downs, in our engagements with UWA, KMS Broome, Onslow School, Monument East in Fremantle, and our East Newman School Holiday program. It was expressed through the delivery of our Newman Futures Sustainability Plan and simple yet profound initiatives such as ear checks at Train Park in East Newman.
Each of these expresses the heart of CCA - working with communities, stakeholders and organisations to improve people’s lives and deliver long-term impact through the power of community.
Recognition
2023 carried with it a moment that we believed could unite our nation and create a pathway of recognition and deeper agency for the lives of the Traditional Owners of this nation called Australia.
13.
'The Voice' Referendum
Our team stepped forward to advocate for First Nations equity and justice. We passionately campaigned ‘yes’ for the Voice Referendum and grieved its defeat. But we’re undaunted. We understand that this road has been long and will be longer. We remain committed to the vision of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Through our work, we are committed to ensuring First Nations’ voices and aspirations are elevated, heard, and acted upon. We’re continuing to walk together.
Impact Snapshot
people involved in land engagement events across the Perth Metropolitan area
hot meals provided to East Newman residents through the East Newman Food Project
organisations regularly participating in Newman Futures collaborative network in 2023
Collaborative working sessions in 2023 as part of Newman Futures
Cultural Compact signatories
total community engagements through the East Newman Activation Program since 2021
events and activations delivered across 13 estates around Perth
healthy meals provided to young people through the East Newman Activation Program since project inception
cups of coffee consumed in the office (estimate only!)
49
loaves of sourdough baked and consumed in CCA office
And much more!
The last few years have seen polarisation, disinformation and inequities rise, but we also see communities more committed than ever to come together, help out and build positive futures. Despite the long list of global issues causing unrest in our world, we hope you find joy and peace in your communities this festive season.
We’re looking forward to the stunning potential that 2024 holds for all of us, and to partnering with you to deliver equitable and sustainable outcomes for communities and organisations.
Peace on earth.