Central Coast Research Foundation

Caton_smallerCCRF Chair, Dr Wej Paradice, talks to Business Insider about the CCRF's aim to bring independent information and rigour to social, business and community debates on the Central Coast. Register for free and view the interview (22 minutes) at Business Insider.

The Central Coast Research Foundation (CCRF) was established in 1998 by the Hunter Valley Research Foundation to undertake regional research in this area. The not-for-profit strives to be the Centre for excellence in community, regional and institutional research in the Central Coast.

Core activites include:

Central Coast Economic Update Breakfasts

  • Central Coast economic update breakfasts are held six-monthly and include a regional, local and national economic update and attract over 150 guests | More information including 2011 dates and invitations

Central Coast Economic Indicators

  • Download the latest Central Coast Economic Indicators - September 2011 publication  |  Back copies available on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

    Preparation of a six-monthly Central Coast Economic Indicators publication draws on the findings of regular surveys of local businesses and residents undertaken by the CCRF and data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The CCRF also maintains a series of databases which capture information about the economic health of the Central Coast allowing the Foundation to provide a unique and qualified assessment of the local region.

    Information is collected in relation to building approvals, employment and the labour force, motor vehicle registrations, tourism,  housing - rents and sale price and business and consumer confidence.

Central Coast At A Glance

  • Download the latest Central Coast At A Glance  |  Back copies available on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    The CCRF releases an annual snapshot of the Central Coast region in a pocket-size factsheet. It provides key characteristics of the region and includes demographic information (population figures, age profiles, population projections), economic information (employment by industry / occupation, commercial activity), government information (details of local, state and federal political representatives) and social information (education profiles).

Business Innovation

  • Download the latest Innovation in Hunter, Upper Hunter and Central Coast Businesses working paper - August 2011

    The research program commenced in 2009 to monitoring and evaluating business innovation in the Central Coast, Hunter and Upper Hunter regions. Business innovation is an important economic driver and an area of emerging interest for regions such as the Hunter and Central Coast. Initiated as part of the annual Hunter Central Coast Business Innovation Festival, the research examines: what motivates local businesses to innovate, the extent of inventiveness, the design and development of new products and services, applications for patents, the factors motivating the introduction of new products and services.

Environmental Attitudes

  • Download the latest Central Coast Environmental Attitudes working paper  |  Back copies available on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    This annual research program examines the environmental attitudes of residents to a range of high profile issues including climate change, nuclear power, the coal industry, recycled water usage, household use of energy and water, and personal environmental behaviours. 

Use of Information Technology

  • Download the latest Hunter and Central Coast Businesses' Use of Information Technology working paper  |  Back copies available on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
  • Download the latest Hunter and Central Coast Residents' Use of Information Technology working paper  |  Back copies available on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    This research program examining the utilisation of information technology by businesses and residents. The program has been conducted annually in the Hunter since 1998 and in the Central Coast since 2003 and examines the ways in which computers, the internet, and other information technology including mobile phones, digital and pay television and GPS car navigation decises are used.

Investment Projects

  • Each quarter the CCRF releases a listing of proposed investment in the Region collated from local media sources. The publication is made available only to sponsors $500 and over.

Omnibus surveys

  • Business and resident surveys are conducted each six-months by the Central Coast Research Foundation and allow the CCRF to collect regular information for our economic indicators, environmental attitudes, use of information technology and innovation research programs.

    Other organisations can also include questions in the surveys. Download information about our Omnibus survey program or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information

Enquiries information service

  • Monday to Friday the CCRF offers a free information service which draws on the resources of its library and databases. Contact our This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The CCRF’s mission is to help the people and local governments of the Central Coast make better decisions about their businesses and local community through the transfer of knowledge gained from the collection, analysis and interpretation of information.

It receives support from a number of organisations including its key Sponsors:

Following positive meetings with Central Coast stakeholders during 2010-11, the CCRF Board decided to recruit new Central Coast based directors to assist in raising CCRF’s profile and its efforts to seek additional funding support, and set its strategic directions. The new directors are:

  • Graham Baker, Innovative Regions Facilitator, Central Coast - Enterprise Connect
  • Ken Baker, Managing Director - Halley & Mellowes Australasia | Chair, Central Coast NSW Business Chamber
  • Jim Eve, Director, Brown Brothers | Board Member, Central Coast Business Enterprise Centre
  • Prof. Margaret McMillan OAM, Professor of Nursing (Conjoint) - University of Newcastle | Board member, Research Centre for Gender Health and Ageing | Member, Central Coast Local Health Network Governing Council
  • Plus HVRF staff members - Dr Andrew Searles and Kim Britton

The challenge remains for the organisation to attract additional financial support locally to enable us to broaden the scope of our current research. For further information on our sponsorship program, email the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The CCRF research goals are to:

  • Assist all levels of government and statutory authorities to understand the Central Coast identity and the needs of their Central Coast stakeholders. 
  • Assist the Central Coast business community in developing, growing and monitoring their markets to improve profitability and increase local employment opportunities. 
  • Assist Central Coast community groups and individuals through the provision of knowledge, information and research skills which will help them achieve their goals.
  • Assist in the development of the identity of the Central Coast with an understanding of the particular needs of the Region.