Thinkers ~ Advisors ~ Planners

ABOUT US

TAP Consulting is a boutique consultancy firm specialising in social planning that was established in 2009 by Thao Ashford to provide strategic planning consulting services and advisory to the private and public sector. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and our dedication to providing excellence in outcomes while delivering value for money for our clients. Our reputation as one of the leading social planning practices in Australia stems from our highly skilled team, our collaborative approach, attention to detail and proven delivery of well-developed solutions for clients.

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EXPERTISE

Our core areas of expertise

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

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SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

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SOCIAL RESEARCH & STRATEGY

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HOUSING POLICY & PLANNING

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CONSULTATION & ENGAGEMENT

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EXPERT WITNESS P&E COURT

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WHO WE ARE
Meet our team

THAO ASHFORD

Director

LAUREL JOHNSON

Associate - Social Planner

SCOTT ALSTON

Associate - Sport & Recreation Planner

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING

We have been instrumental in the successful completion of many social and community infrastructure projects throughout Australia over the last 10 + years. We have been involved in the development of many plans and strategies, and have a great understanding of what is required to ensure a smooth transition from inception to completion. We consider ourselves leaders in this field evidenced by our successful projects right across Australia. We have vast experience from working across different jurisdictions and geographic areas, from city centres (Perth, Monash) to Island communities (Southern Moreton Bay Islands) as well as rural communities (Clarence Valley, Carnarvon, Geraldton), resource towns (Western Downs in the Surat Basin and Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter) including coastal communities (Geelong, Northern Beaches).

Through our involvement in these projects we have a great understanding of what is required to ensure a smooth transition from inception to completion. Our approach to Social Infrastructure Planning is a robust approach that has been successfully tested over the years through a number of projects.

Main elements of our Social Infrastructure planning work include:
~ Consultation and Engagement
~ Baseline Profiling
~ Population Forecasting
~ Audit of Existing Facilities and Services
~ Quantitative Benchmark Analysis
~ Costings/Feasibility/Business Case
~ Development Contributions Plan
~ Operational & Management Review
~ Informing Structure Plans and Precinct Plans

SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Our team has a unique range of experience in all facets of social impact assessment (SIA) and we have a strong understanding of industry best practice. We have a robust working knowledge of the SIA process which will enable us to efficiently and effectively complete new projects whilst delivering quality outputs. We are also very familiar with the Business Case Development Framework and have a real appreciation for the value of well developed Business Cases from a social point of view to inform decision making. The use of our proven methodology in the conduct of these services coupled with our experience in the management of complex projects supports our capabilities.

Our SIA capabilities encompasses the following:
~ The expertise and knowledge of each of our team members.
~ Identifying the social and health issues and potential impacts relevant to the changes that will occur as a result of proposed development
~ Anticipating and assessing impacts on the service system and the quality of life of local communities
~ Identifying a range of enhancement and mitigation measures to lesson negative impacts.

HOUSING POLICY & PLANNING

At TAP Consulting we have developed a strong understanding of the complexity and broad issues associated with housing. Through our involvement in a number of housing related studies across Australia in recent years, we have seen a growing debate in the Australian policy community regarding innovative strategies to meet changing housing needs and particularly housing affordability.

Over recent years housing demand generally has been changing due to population increases, changing household structures, changing economic landscape e.g. the rise and fall of the mining boom and consequently changes to affordability and increased homelessness. These trends have many implications on the future provision and demand of housing. The challenge is to ensure an adequate housing supply is present to meet a diversity of demands and that, most importantly, the housing in question is affordable, accessible and appropriately located.

Our experiences in the housing policy arena range from housing needs assessment studies including homelessness to broad housing policy projects for both the private and public sectors.

SOCIAL RESEARCH & STRATEGY

At TAP Consulting we have been involved in a number of social research and strategy projects for government, private and NGO clients. Through our previous work we regularly undertake primary research including data collection, collation and analysis, develop comprehensive research strategies for projects, and prepare literature and policy reviews. Our team has developed the ability to deliver high quality research reports and associated documents that are substantiated by rigorous quantitative and qualitative data and evidence. One of our key strengths in this regard is being able to ensure that outcomes can be translated into sound policies and strategies that respond directly to the needs of communities and stakeholders.

Our social research and strategy capabilities include:
~ Reviewing relevant literature including current strategies and plans as well as broader policy and planning documents.
~ Undertaking an analysis of the socio-demographic characteristics of the community which will provide insights into emerging trends and the issues and challenges these may present.
~ Through consultation to ascertain stakeholder awareness of issues, understanding of issues in a future context, awareness of the the range of options that could be applied to various issues, support for responses.

THAO ASHFORD

Bachelor of Built Environment (Urban & Regional Planning)

Thao Ashford, Principal of TAP Consulting, is a degree qualified Urban and Regional Town Planner with 18 years’ experience in the planning industry working for both private consultancy and government. Thao is a qualified social planner with expertise in social and cultural research, demographic analysis, community facilities planning, social impact assessment (SIA), social investment planning, stakeholder engagement and consultation. She is a leader in the field of social planning and is often called upon as a social planning expert witness for the Planning and Environment Court.

EXPERT WITNESS

Our reputation as one of the leading social planning practices in Australia means that we are often called upon to give evidence as an expert witness for Planning and Enviornment Court matters.

At TAP Consulting we can provide the following expert witness services for Planning and Enviornment Court matters:
~ Review development applications and provide advice on social matters and areas of concern or support
~ Without prejudice negotiations/meetings
~ Preparation of joint expert reports and statements
~ Appear and give evidence as social planning expert in court

LAUREL JOHNSON

PHD, Master of Built Environment QUT, Graduate Certificate in
Inter-Professional Leadership UQ

Laurel is a National award-winning spatial planner, social planner and urban strategist with over 25 years of experience in the public, private and academic sectors. She is the 2021 Planning Institute of Australia’s (Queensland Division) Outstanding Woman in Planning. Her fields of interest and expertise are social impact assessment and community facilities planning, education program design and delivery, urban research and co-design methods, affordable housing and transport solutions, strategic and statutory planning, program evaluation, community engagement and city and regional planning strategy.

SCOTT ALSTON

BA (Social Geography), Masters of Business Administration, Grad Dip. Management, Grad Dip. Recreation PlanningBachelor of Arts

Scott Alston has over 30 years experience in the fields of open space, recreation and sport planning, and business development at a state and local government level. Since 1999 Scott has been consulting in the sport and recreation planning fields through his previous and current companies. Scott has blended high level planning and management qualifications with hands-on expertise so clients can have confidence in well-researched pragmatic analyses.

CONSULTATION & ENGAGEMENT

At TAP Consulting we have a strong focus on community consultation and engagement and strongly support community participation in policy decision making processes. We acknowledge that communities are able to be strengthened through the process of engagement and participation. In this regard our approach ensures that consultation is conducted in such a way that engages all parts of the community, and therefore ensures all stakeholders develop a sense of ownership.

Our team combines significant community engagement experience and a proven track record and qualifications in urban, regional and community planning. The team has managed and completed many community engagement projects contributing to the development of community plans, strategies, service delivery models and as input to the review of legislation and policy. Combined we have extensive experience of delivering projects for local government and we understand the strategic role that Councils play in assisting communities to participate in planning and implementing a vision and goals for the future. This team also brings extensive experience in creative stakeholder engagement processes and in working to ensure that diverse stakeholders are engaged and involved.

ABOUT US

EXPERTISE

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

SOCIAL RESEARCH & STRATEGY

HOUSING POLICY & PLANNING

CONSULTATION & ENGAGEMENT

EXPERT WITNESS P&E COURT

WHO WE ARE Meet our team

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING

SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

HOUSING POLICY & PLANNING

SOCIAL RESEARCH & STRATEGY

THAO ASHFORD

EXPERT WITNESS

LAUREL JOHNSON

SCOTT ALSTON

CONSULTATION & ENGAGEMENT

WHO WE ARE
Meet our team