For more than three decades Creating Communities has been fuelled by a relentless curiosity to uncover the essential elements required to create just and equitable communities where everyone can flourish.
This month we share Australia’s first investigation into the state of social fabric across the country, capturing the voices of Australians as they talk about what is most important to them in their communities.
We are proud to launch the preliminary findings of The Australia Speaks Up SocialQueTM Report – a study leveraging Creating Communities SocialQue™ survey and proprietary AI analysis tool.
Driven by stories and lived experience, SocialQue™ harnesses the power of qualitative insights using modern technologies.
Unlike traditional surveys and rating scales which fail to capture the richness of human experience, SocialQue™ dives deep into individual perspectives – not only documenting what people are saying about their experience living in communities but also helping us understand why people feel what they feel.
Because where numbers fall short, voices speak volumes.
These preliminary findings are just the beginning – the first layer of insight into a much deeper journey that we are excited to explore.
Defining Community
Over the last 30 years, Creating Communities has been documenting the lived experiences of communities, hearing the voices of people to inform decision-making.
As experts in community, we’ve developed a robust framework examining the nine core elements and domains essential for building functioning, thriving communities.
We call this framework The Social 9™.
The Social 9™ powers our proprietary AI products SocialQue™ and FIFO Insider™ to measure all the dimensions of social fabric, providing exactly the type of data decision-makers are missing to consistently make informed choices.
The Findings 1
In the SocialQue™ national survey, respondents shared their experiences of life in Australian communities in their own words. The SocialQue™ Report reiterates that factors such as inequality, discrimination, lack of trust, isolation, violence and crime, and political polarisation are eroding social fabric.
On the flipside, elements that strengthen social fabric include equality and inclusion, community engagement, trust and transparency, education, social support networks, and cultural exchange.
This report highlights seven key findings from the survey results, but one insight stood out clearly:
The lived experience of people in Australia varies greatly.
It is clear that there is no such thing as an “average” Australian or “average” community. Regardless of demographic profile, there are groups of people who experience community in similar ways:
01
Common stories matter and are what connects us.
People enjoy speaking about what makes their community special. Whether that’s over a flat white at the beach, meeting friends at the local farmers market or the annual regional rodeo, a feeling of belonging and cohesion are often referenced as key elements to our community experience.
“My community has always been a strong one. Being of lower income, we all come together to share what we can grow and provide. By doing this, we ensure even the poorest can share in a plentiful bounty and nobody goes without.”
FEMALE, 30 – 34, VIC
02
Cost of living is increasing the differences between us.
The results also highlight that the rise in cost-of-living is increasing the gap between socioeconomic groups. We know that costs are rising faster than wages, housing is increasing far quicker than people can save and lower-income households are feeling the brunt of these impacts.
People are noticing this gap, with respondents either describing their experience as struggling under the weight of escalating costs, or feeling relatively insulated from financial hardship.
For example, we saw that the cost of living is disproportionately effecting women, with 48% of women describing their experience of financial security with negative sentiment, compared with 37% of men.
“It’s getting hard to live here as its so expensive and if you don’t earn a 6 figure salary its getting even harder.”
Female, 45-49, UNEMPLOYED
03
Rising intolerance is damaging trust.
The erosion of respect and tolerance in communities is a concern for many, with a stark contrast between positive and negative experiences of respect in Australian communities. For some, their community is friendly, respectful and supportive.
While for others, it feels hostile, intolerant, racist and unsafe. Our research shows a divide between those who feel integrated and accepted in their communities, versus those who feel excluded and mistreated.
“I enjoy living in Australia and love its multiculturalism but for the last year it has been very scary and lonely being Jewish.” Female, 55-59, VIC
“People from other places tend to be rude, egotistical, aggressive and bad-mannered.” Male, 60-64 QLD
04
People believe governance structures are failing.
Concerningly, but not surprisingly in the global context, the survey is showing that a large percentage of respondents believe governance structures are inadequate and many feel their communities are not adequately served by current decision-making and resource allocation processes in all three levels of government.
Male, 59-65, QLD
05
People want to feel safe at home.
The most frequently mentioned topic relating to a sense of ‘home’ in communities was the importance of feeling safe at home. A sense of security is a primary concern when it comes to housing, and people want to live without constant fear or anxiety about their safety.
While many acknowledge the housing crisis, particularly the availability and affordability of housing in Australia, security was the most commonly described priority in regard to home and shelter.
“My experience has changed in my community, it’s no longer as safe.” Female, 45-49 WA
“My community is quite safe and I feel secure.” Female, 18 QLD
06
Neighbourhood designs impact the way people live.
Noteably, urban planning is shaping the way in which people interact, form relationships, and build community. Respondents want neighbourhoods that are built around a broad access to amenities, natural beauty and green spaces, providing a peaceful community feel.
But many are challenged by overcrowding, noise, and accessibility issues indicating the need to improve neighbourhood design to foster positive social interactions and a stronger sense of community.
Male, 20-24, NSW
07
When people come together, communities thrive.
People value connections with their neighbours and community members, however there were also significant challenges related to isolation and lack of interaction.
Community connections are essential for building trust, as they provide a sense of security and support. When people feel connected, they are more likely to trust and rely on each other, which strengthens the overall community.
What this tells us
We live in a society where people want to know each other and build genuine connections. These findings show that fostering meaningful relationships and strengthening social fabric is possible through the creation of intentional communities, thoughtful urban planning and design, enhanced community security and rebuilding trust in governance systems.
SocialQue™ uncovers the hidden dimension required to make stronger, more informed decisions and is just one of many of Creating Communities multimethod research tools for driving sustainable change in communities.
With SocialQue™, data is no longer silent. It speaks. It feels. It drives change.
While the findings within this report already begin to paint a compelling picture, they’re just the beginning. What we’re uncovering now sets the stage for deeper exploration into the social fabric of Australian communities– there’s so much more beneath the surface.
