Economics and Planning . This is a rigorous and data-driven set of spatial wellbeing rankings for over 500 Local Government Areas across Australia , with seven wellbeing dimensions measured by 24 indicators . Going beyond GDP , it shows how place impacts community wellbeing .
Innovation districts can use the Cities and Regions Wellbeing Index to explore the measures and indicators most relevant for their circumstances , to start conversations and to begin the assessment process to measure their progress on social and community wellbeing outcomes .
Equally important as what to measure , is how to measure . Participation by community members as equal partners is a priority . Rather than sporadic consultation or asking people what they think of a plan already developed by Government authorities or other officials , communities should be empowered to take a leading role .
CONCLUSION Australia ’ s current major industry policy debates centre on how we can become a powerhouse of cutting-edge technologies to underpin self-sufficiency in industries of the future and to aid solutions to big intractable societal challenges . The focus is on renewable energy , critical minerals processing , advanced manufacturing and the like .
But , focus does not mean loss of vision .
Australia ’ s future prosperity will equally depend on the human dimensions of innovation as the technological ; knowledge and problem-solving from the arts and humanities as well as from science , technology , engineering and maths disciplines ; and progress on measures of social wellbeing as well as on economic performance .
High-tech innovation districts keen to mimic Silicon Valley must be more ambitious .
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
NARELLE KENNEDY AM Narelle Kennedy AM is best known as a pioneering and insightful innovation researcher and advisor , with specialist expertise in manufacturing industry , business regulation and competitiveness , regional development and place-based policy . She has operated her own boutique research and consulting business for over 10 years , and was the founding CEO of the Australian Business Foundation , Australia ’ s largest private sector partner and funder of research into industry and innovation . Narelle has a longstanding commitment to business-university engagement and excels at translating research intelligence into practical action . Narelle was made a Member of the Order of Australia ( AM ) for significant service to business in Australia through a range of policy development and advisory roles .
DR JOHN . H HOWARD Dr John H Howard is a distinguished policy analyst and academic , currently serving as the Executive Director at the Acton Institute for Policy Research and Innovation . John has a rich background in science , technology , and innovation policy and practice , with significant contributions to industrial policy , management strategy , and regional innovation ecosystems . With a career spanning several decades , John has founded and managed a specialist management consulting and policy advisory firm , showcasing a deep commitment to fostering innovation and strategic development within various sectors . John holds a PhD in innovation studies ( Sydney ), a Masters in public policy ( Canberra ) and an Honours Degree in Economics ( Tasmania ).
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