---
title: How to assess a specific site in Placemaker
description: Use Placemaker to analyse the population surrounding a known location and build evidence to support a facility or investment decision.
---

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# How to assess a specific site in Placemaker

## Use Placemaker to analyse the population around a known site and build evidence for a facility or investment decision.

Use this guide when you already have a site or address in mind and want to understand the population around it, then build evidence for a facility or investment decision.

### Before You Begin

- You need an active Placemaker account. See [How to log in to Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-login?hsLang=en).
- Have the address or location ready.

### Steps

1. **Locate the site:** in the search bar, type the site's address and select a result, or click the spot on the map to drop a pin. See [How to go to a location in Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-go-to-a-location?hsLang=en).
2. **Check what's planned nearby (optional):** with a population or dwellings layer on, click the area around the site. The pop-over shows its start, end and change. Select 'View details' to see growth year by year, age structure by service age group and residential development sites with their capacity. See [How to view population forecast data by geography in Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-view-population-forecast-by-geography?hsLang=en).
3. **Start the catchment:** on the pin popup, click 'Create catchment here', or select 'Create catchment' in the area's pop-over.
4. **Define the catchment:** choose 'Drive (min)' or 'Walk (min)' to capture the population within a travel time of the site, or 'Radius (km)' for a fixed distance. Set the value and click 'Preview' to see the boundary before saving.
5. **Save the catchment:** Placemaker fills the 'Catchment name' field from your search. Edit it if you want a clearer name, then click 'Save Catchment'. See [How to create a catchment in Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-create-a-catchment?hsLang=en).
6. **Review the insights:** the catchment flyout shows quick population and dwelling figures. Click 'View insights' for the detailed charts, then review population size, forecast growth, age structure and dwelling change. Use the Year and Age groups filters to focus on your planning question, and Benchmark to choose the area you compare against. Open the Demographics tab to see who lives in the catchment beside the benchmark – see [How to read demographic charts for a catchment in Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/placemaker-how-to-read-demographic-charts-for-a-catchment?hsLang=en). See [How to generate insights for a catchment in Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-generate-catchment-insights?hsLang=en).
   
   ![Screenshot of the Placemaker Insights page for a catchment.](https://answers.id.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/placemaker-dwellings-insights-full-page.png?width=670&height=969&name=placemaker-dwellings-insights-full-page.png)
7. **Assess demand:** use the forecasts for how many people and when, and Census demographics for who they are, to judge whether the location supports the proposed facility or investment. Consider both the current population size and the forecast trajectory across your planning horizon.
8. **Export your results:** on each Insights section, click the download icon and choose 'Download PNG' or 'Download CSV' to use in a report or proposal. See [How to export data from Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-export-data?hsLang=en).

### What to Expect

You'll have a saved catchment with insights and exported materials ready for a planning report or proposal. Return to the catchment any time from the Catchments list.

### Troubleshooting

- **The boundary doesn't match the likely service area:**  edit the catchment to adjust the drive time, walk time or radius, or add and remove SA1 areas, or add and remove SA1 areas. See [How to edit a catchment in Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-edit-a-catchment?hsLang=en).
- **You can't find the address:** search by suburb or postcode, or drop a pin on the map. A new development may not appear in search yet.

### Related Articles

- [How to create a catchment in Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-create-a-catchment?hsLang=en)
- [How to generate insights for a catchment in Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-generate-catchment-insights?hsLang=en)
- [How to export data from Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-export-data?hsLang=en)
- [How to edit a catchment in Placemaker](https://answers.id.com.au/en/answers/en/placemaker-how-to-edit-a-catchment?hsLang=en)

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