This is an interesting news item and there are many ways to look at it. Dr Grimmer, a UTas Lecturer, apparently has been enlisted to undertake the task and she seems well equipped to deliver the expected outcome. 

Just take a look at her qualifications and research record and you can see her capabilities right there for all to see – open and transparent. Presumably this is why the Mayor and Council are comfortable with a decision going public as a 'decision' after a closed 'workshop session' – presumably last Thursday's.

In the light of Council's 2019/2020 Budget currently under consideration and out in the community seeking 'feedback' that will no doubt get serious consideration at some future closed session workshop. As for the money for this particular expenditure, it is now revealed in the budget where this will come from if you spend any time looking and turning over the 'fiscal rocks'.

The $16K, almost $17K here, will no doubt come from the "Development & Marketing Budget" and/or the "Expert Advice Budget". These budgets together, given their size and where they sit in the budget, would seem to be be better described as 'The Slush Fund' – projected to be almost $5Million 2019/2020.

However, drawing upon it in this way is pretty innocuous. Indeed, it might well be regarded as 'bloody good camouflage' given that it can be held up as credible expenditure. Its, only downside being, that whatever brief 'the researchers' are to be handed has been haggled out behind closed doors in a 'workshop in camera'.

Then comes just a little questioning to do with 'independence' and consequently just why the opportunity to undertake this research was not put out to 'expressions of interest and/or tender'. Such a process would provide a modicum of accountability and transparency. 

Once this was provided via the cut an thrust of an open discourse 'around the table'. That is now just a faded memory for 'older constituents' apparently deemed by some Councillors, and management too apparently, somewhat surprisingly, as being past their use-by-date – or as having too much time on their hands.

There was a time when this 'backroom decision making', even the 'cutting and drying' of decisions, was illegal but it seems that these days the Minister is prepared to look away. If these meetings were minuted they would be much less concerning. However, so long as ratepayers are accepting the lack of transparency, this class of decision making, well, it'll just keep on going on. That is, despite elected representatives standing for election on a platform of accountability, no backroom deals, etc. etc.

Dr Grimmer, is without doubt a credible person and qualified researcher. On the evidence she has what it takes to be undertaking this research, but what it, the research, actually involves poses questions. 

Dr Grimmer said that the project - Shopping in the City - aims to examine the reasons why people choose to shop in the city centre of Launceston, as well as some of the factors that might prevent people from doing so.

Along with these concerns there are others to do with the potential for meaningful 'community engagement'. The latter typically ensures that accountability and transparency is delivered upon within the bounds of a 'social licence'. In the end, that lends confidence, acceptance and trust to research outcomes.

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Shopping in the City survey to cost ratepayers $16,650

• 
Tarlia Jordan

The study will be completed by retail expert and University of Tasmania marketing lecturer Dr Louise Grimmer. ............... A "substantial undertaking" by Dr Grimmer accounts for most of the $16,650 cost, City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said. ............... A review of current literature, existing secondary data, a review of the retail mix in Launceston and a profile of the central business district, Mowbray, Newstead, and Kings Meadows precincts will be examined. ............... A survey of all CBD traders by letter drop, including physical delivery and pick-up from retailers, as well as access through an online portal, and interviews with stakeholders will be carried out. ............... Cr Albert van Zetten said a study like this had not been done by the council before. ............... "It is of the utmost importance that we have a sound and independent evidence base to inform decision making," he said. ............... "This study will provide that evidence base as well as understanding of the current status of retailing in Launceston's CBD." ............... Cr van Zetten said Dr Grimmer is a nationally recognised expert in retailing, and her understanding of factors than encourage and hinder retail in a city, such as Launceston, will be critically important going forward. ............... A public shopper survey is available on the council's Your Voice Your Launceston website. ....... https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6042450/shopping-study-to-cost-launceston-ratepayers-16k/?cs=12 ...