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 to undertake regional research. As a not-for-profit governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, the CCRF's vision is to provide local data and information which guides and monitors sustainable regional development.

Functions

  • 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 upcoming dates and invitations

Publications

  • 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   

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

  • 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

    This annual snapshot of the region is a pocket-size factsheet including key characteristics of the region - 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).

  • 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.

Research Program / Information Service

  • Omnibus surveys
    Business and resident surveys are conducted six-monthly by the CCRF to collect regular information for our economic indicators and other 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.

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

    Commencing in 2009 this research program monitors and evaluates business innovation in the region. Business innovation is an important economic driver and an area of emerging interest for regions. 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 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 and has been conducted annually in the Hunter since 1998 and in the Central Coast since 2003. It 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.

  • Enquiries information service
    Available Monday to Friday our free information service draws on the resources of ourlibrary and databases. Contact our This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

About Us / Our Sponsors

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:

CCRF needs to attract additional financial support locally to achieve our primary goal: to develop, facilitate and implement community and regional initiatives and research projects which guide the development of sustainable communities on the Central Coast. For further information on our sponsorship program, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Our Board

The CCRF Board sets its strategic directions, and works to raise the Foundation’s profile and to seek additional funding support. The directors are:

  • Dr W.E.J. Paradice AM, Chair | Conjoint Professor - University of Newcastle | CEO, HVRF
  • 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