Social Infrastructure Planning

Our team are well regarded for their expertise and experience in planning for social infrastructure that supports connected, generous and healthy communities. We support state and local governments in the preparation of social infrastructure needs assessments and strategies guiding the provision of community facilities, libraries and cultural spaces, recreation and sporting facilities, parks, and open spaces. We also advise private clients about the provision of community and green spaces within new developments. 

source: The Planning Studio

Hawkesbury Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment and Strategy

  • Client: Hawkesbury City Council

  • Completed: 2024 [Adopted February 2025]

  • Services: Social Infrastructure Needs, Engagement, and Strategy Development.

TPS, in partnership with SGS Economics and Planning, and Impact Policy AU prepared a comprehensive Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment and Strategy. The strategy provided a new integrated framework to guide Hawkesbury City Council’s planning, delivery, funding and management decisions for community, cultural, and creative facilities, parks, open spaces, sporting and recreation facilities.

Understanding community expectations and needs was achieved through an extensive engagement program, including engagement with First Nations communities within the Hawkesbury LGA.

The research and assessment provides an evidence base to support Council’s commitment, and responsibilities in planning, funding and delivering social infrastructure. A review of governance models also enables a more sustainable approach for Council and communities across the Hawkesbury LGA to have the social infrastructure they need to support community connection and wellbeing. 

source: Hatch Roberts Day / DPHI / Blacktown

Riverstone East Stage 3: Open Space and Social Infrastructure Assessment

  • Client: Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure & Blacktown City Council

  • Completed: 2023 - 2024

  • Services: Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment; Strategy Development

TPS, in partnership with Hatch RobertsDay (project lead) and Atlas Economics prepared the Social Infrastructure and Open Space Needs Assessment and Strategy to inform the Riverstone East Stage 3 Precinct Structure Plan within the Blacktown City Council LGA. Working closely with Hatch RobertsDay, TPS contributed to a draft structure plan that creates great spaces by supporting the future residential community.

Located within the North West Growth Area, this is part of the Riverstone East Precinct - bound by Windsor Road, Rouse Hill Regional Park and the Tallawong Station Precinct. TPS undertook an audit of existing facilities, population benchmarking and Greener Places performance assessment. A key challenge was how the social infrastructure provision in stage 3 would contribute to the existing provision gap across the broader NWGA.