Feasibility Studies
Keston has undertaken a large number of feasibility and scoping studies on behalf of state and local government agencies and not-for-profit organisations. These studies typically include detailed qualitative and quantitative options analyses, needs and market assessments, recommendations and action planning.
Addressing Homelessness in the Great Southern Feasibility and Scoping Study (2018)
The aim of this scoping study was to investigate the feasibility of developing crisis accommodation facilities to service the at-risk population in and around the Great Southern, particularly in Albany, Plantagenet, Denmark and Katanning, which have the highest proportions of homelessness of the eleven local government areas.
To achieve this, comprehensive consultation was undertaken with key stakeholders and consumers to determine both where the greatest need exists and what kind of facilities could be created to provide the most fundamental of human needs for the most vulnerable in our community - shelter. The ultimate aim was not to replicate existing stock-standard models of crisis accommodation, but to provide innovative new forms of accommodation and services which change the way homelessness is viewed and treated, and which can act as a showcase or best-practice model for future developments throughout Australia.
As part of the study, extensive consultations were undertaken with a wide range of identified stakeholders. The stakeholder engagement process was conducted from August through to early November 2017 and was a combination of service provider workshops along with individual consumer and service provider surveys. Seven workshops were conducted in Albany and two in Katanning. These consultations resulted in the specification of individual stakeholder and community perceptions and user requirements. The survey results in turn informed the development of the design brief which identified the requirements for crisis accommodation in the region, as informed by key stakeholders and consumers.
Other regular face to face, telephone and email communications were held with members of local government authorities, state and regional government bodies, Albany Aboriginal Corporation and other relevant community organisations or private landholders around the Great Southern, including in the Shires of Katanning, Denmark and Plantagenet, and within the City of Albany. The primary purpose of these consultations was to gauge perceptions of homelessness in their individual local government areas, and to provide insight on possible location and design options. Location options were then short listed by the Steering Committee.
The feasibility study culminated in the development of a set of recommendations and ‘next steps’ towards implementing the project in the short to medium-term.
South Coast Environment and Heritage Centre Feasibility Study (2018)
South Coast Natural Resource Management wish to explore a South Coast Environment and Heritage Centre (SCEHC), which would be a dedicated but multi-functional building, in an easily accessible and iconic location, linked to quality environmental and cultural/heritage assets, where the community and visitors alike can engage with the environment and meet with specialists and key stakeholders.
The objectives of the feasibility study were to build upon work undertaken to date by evaluating the overall need for the SCEHC (literature review and targeted consultations), and the viability of the project against identified success criteria and structural elements. Based on this analysis, recommendations have been made of the likelihood of success and the process to move forward to the project funding and development stages.
Consultations were undertaken with various stakeholders in two workshops, designed to evaluate overall perceptions of need for such a facility and the types of services, features or programs that would best meet stakeholder requirements and encourage their involvement in the Centre’s operations and service/product delivery. General perceptions of need for the facility were high, with positive perspectives overall. A range of different features and services were also identified as appropriate for the facility, including those most suitable to ensuring viable and sustainable operations, especially supported through strong partnerships, governance and self-sufficiency.
A follow-up stakeholder survey was undertaken to refine the importance of individual programs and features and this culminated in a clear list of priorities. It was also recognised during the consultations that a staged approach to developing the functions of the Centre may be required prior to establishing a fully-functional and dedicated facility.
The feasibility study culminated in the development of a set of recommendations and ‘next steps’ towards implementing the project in the short to medium-term. Longer-term recommendations included the selection of appropriate funding streams, business case development and regular (five-yearly) reporting on operations and asset management to monitor changes in trends, quality of product, stakeholder engagement and other critical success factors, leading to proactive rather than reactive changes and ensuring long-term ongoing viability based on reported changes.
Development of a feasibility study and Business Plan for an Early Childhood Hub in Katanning (2012)
Keston completed a feasibility study and business plan for an Early Childhood Hub in the town of Katanning, WA. This has involved examining the feasibility of building a multi-purpose facility for the co-location of services catering for children 0 to 5 years in the Katanning area.
The key stakeholders involved in this potential venture were:
- Katanning Community Kindergarten,
- Katanning Playgroup,
- A Smart Start – Great Southern,
- Katanning Community Childcare Centre,
- Katanning Toy Library,
- WANSLEA and
- The Child Health Nurse.
- The Feasibility Study was developed through research and consultation and demonstrated the need for an Early Childhood Hub in Katanning.
Feasibility Study and Business Case for North Albany Football Club (2010)
Keston completed a Needs Assessment, Feasibility Study and Business Case for the North Albany Football Club (NAFC) to support proposals for funding for various developments, including from the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR), under the CSRFF scheme, and other WA State funding bodies. The Feasibility Study examined various options for extending and refurbishing the NAFC facilities at Collingwood Park in order to address current capacity constraints and to open the ground and facilities to a greater range of community sports and participation.
The Feasibility Study followed a logical process: a Needs Assessment – identifying the needs of the existing users and the wider community, an Options Analysis – assessing the various options that respond to the identified priority needs, and Financial Analyses – assessing the outline financial viability of the preferred option(s) and the associated socio-economic benefits.
The Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study were successful in helping NAFC to secure funding for some of their initial developments, with further funding raising activities also currently underway, with support from Keston.
Feasibility Study for a Boutique Malting Plant in the Great Southern (2010)
On behalf of the GSDC, a Feasibility Study was undertaken on the potential for establishing a boutique malting facility in the Great Southern. The driver behind the commissioning of the study by the GSDC was the perception that there could be an attractive market for speciality malts within the growing boutique brewery and distillery sector in WA and Australia-wide, coupled with the fact that barley production in WA has shown a substantial increase and is now the State’s second most important grain crop. It was intended that the Feasibility Study would be made available to qualified private sector investors with the aim of helping them to assess the opportunity for a new industry development project in the Great Southern.
Primary research was undertaken by means of stakeholder consultations and a brief market survey among boutique breweries and distilleries in Australia. Financial analyses were undertaken based on realistic input costs and malt sales prices.
Ultimately, the outcome of the feasibility study was to conclude that such a project would not be feasible. The very high capital costs, low volume throughput and an insufficient price per tonne of malt to defray fixed cost structures render the development unviable.
