Major clients

Ararat Rural City Council

In 2000, the Ararat Rural City Council engaged CDS to conduct a feasibility study into the viability of a fuel co-operative for the rural community of Buangor, 150km west of Melbourne. The study, funded by the Victorian Government, reviewed 8 options for the supply of fuel to primary producers and other rural fuel users. CDS put together a consortium of oil industry, co-operative and business planning expertise to conduct the study.

Australian Centre for Co-operative Research and Development

In 2004, CDS was engaged by ACCORD to assist in developing a National Database of Australian co-operatives. CDS compiled the Victorian part of the database, adding regions, local government areas and industry descriptions based on the Australian New Zealand Standard Industry Classification to a list of 800 co-operatives supplied by Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Australian Forest Growers

In 1999, CDS published a Starter Kit for a Treegrowers Co-operative for Australian Forest Growers, the national peak body of private foresters. The kit, researched and written by CDS director, Tony Gill, focuses primarily on the essentials of planning, establishing and operating a treegrowers co-operative in Australia.

Hopetoun Progress and Development Group

In 2001, the Hopetoun Progress and Development Group engaged CDS to organise the formation of the Corrong Development Co-operative Ltd to purchase land and build industrial premises for businesses to serve local grain growers.

Kaniva Community Roadhouse Pty Ltd

In October 2004, CDS was engaged to organise the formation of the Kaniva Community Co-operative Ltd to save and operate Kaniva's only retail fuel outlet, after Mobil Australia decided to close the petrol station after failing to find a buyer for the site. The residents of Kaniva, a small rural community 400 km west of Melbourne, faced an 80 km round trip to purchase fuel if the petrol station closed. Nearly 200 residents - a quarter of Kaniva's population - attended the formation meeting for the co-operative in December and pledged over $280,000 for the purchase and retanking of the site. The community owned petrol station was officially launched on 11 July 2005.

Mike Stephens and Associates

In 2002, CDS undertook research for Mike Stephens and Associates, a Victorian based agricultural consultancy firm, on the use of co-operatives for reducing farm machinery costs. The farm syndication project was funded by the Australian Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.

Municipal Association of Victoria

In 2005, CDS gave a presentation on co-operatives, with an emphasis on rural community enterprises, to a local government forum on community sustainability organised by the Municipal Association of Victoria.

Offor Sharp and Associates

In 2000, CDS was engaged by management consultants, Offor Sharp and Associates, to prepare a handbook and conduct a director training workshop for directors and management of the Urban Camp Melbourne Co-operative Ltd. The project was funded by the Melbourne City Council.

South Gippsland Herd Improvement Association Inc.

In 2000, CDS was engaged by the association to organise its conversion to a co-operative to faciliate its merger with the Herd Improvement Maffra Co-operative Ltd and South Gipplsand AB Co-operative Ltd to form the Gippsland Herd Improvement Co-operative Ltd.

State Library of Victoria - VicNet

In 1999, CDS was engaged by VicNet, an agency of the State Library of Victoria, to facilitate the formation of Skills.net Association Co-op Ltd, a statewide association of Skills.net centres. The successful formation of the co-operative in 2000 led to a further contract with VicNet in 2003 to facilitate the formation of Avenel.Coop Ltd, a community internet portal for an isolated rural community in Central Victoria.

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc.

In 2001, CDS was engaged by VACCHO, the peak body for Victorian indigenous controlled health organisations, to facilitate a review of its governance structure. The review included extensive consultation and workshops with VACCHO's members. Once a preferred governance structure was determined, CDS organised for VACCHO's rules to be amended to reflect the new structure.

Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment

In 2000, CDS gave a presentation to the department's Regional Marketing Network on the benefits of co-operatives in agriculture. The network of Regional Marketing Officers were responsible for the development of certain types of industries within their region; understuding key markets in Asia; facilitating the development of rural projects; and assisting grower groups, companies, and government agencies in regional development issues.

Victorian Department of State and Regional Development

Following the positive response to the Rural Community Fuel Co-operative Feasibility Study by the Ararat Rural City Council and the community of Buangor, the department engaged CDS in 2001 to undertake research on the potential of existing rural co-operatives that supply fuel to members to expand into areas of the state not serviced by a co-operative. Click here for a pdf copy of the report.

Victorian Eastern Development Association

In 2002, CDS was engaged by the association to facilitate the formation of Omeo Fine Fibres Co-operative Ltd, a marketing co-operative of wool growers in North East Victoria.

Wimmera 2020