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How to assess a specific site in Placemaker

Use Placemaker to analyse the population surrounding a known location and build evidence to support a facility or investment decision.

Use this guide when you already have a site or address in mind and want to understand the population surrounding it. It walks you through locating the site, building a catchment, reviewing demographic insights and exporting your results to support a planning or investment decision.

Before you begin

  • You need an active Placemaker account. See How to log in to Placemaker if you need help accessing the platform.
  • Have the address or location you want to assess ready before you begin.

Steps

  1. Locate the site: From the Catchments home screen, click + Create catchment. The map opens with the catchment creation panel on the left. Use the Address tab to search for the site's address, or the Drop pin tab to click directly on the map to place a pin at the location.
  2. Define the catchment: Choose the area likely to use the facility by selecting a catchment method. Select Drive time to capture the population within a set travel time of the site, or Radius to capture the population within a fixed distance. Enter your preferred range and click Preview to see the catchment boundary on the map before saving.
  3. Save the catchment: Enter a name in the Catchment name field and click Save and view catchment insights. See How to create a catchment in Placemaker for full instructions if needed.
  4. Review the insights: Once saved, Placemaker displays demographic insights for your catchment. Review population size, forecast population growth, age structure and dwelling change to understand the characteristics of the surrounding area. Use the filter options to focus on the metrics most relevant to your planning question.
  5. Assess demand: Use the population and dwelling growth data to evaluate whether the site location is likely to support the proposed facility or investment. Consider both current population size and the forecast trajectory across your planning horizon.
  6. Export your results: Download charts, data tables or a full insights report to support your planning report, investment proposal or internal decision-making. Click Export from the Insights view to see the available options. See How to export data from Placemaker for full instructions.

What to expect

After completing these steps you will have a saved catchment with demographic insights and exported materials ready to use in planning reports or presentations. You can return to the catchment at any time from your Catchments list.

Troubleshooting

My catchment boundary doesn't reflect the likely service area for the site. You can edit the catchment after saving to adjust the drive time, radius or other settings. See How to edit a catchment in Placemaker for steps.

I can't find the address I'm looking for. Try searching by suburb or postcode rather than a full street address. If the location is in a new development, the address may not yet appear in search results. Use the Drop pin tab to place a pin directly on the map instead.

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