Rural Towns-Liquid Assets: methodology for preliminary social analysis

The Rural Towns-Liquid Assets project is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative project that aims to provide an integrated water management solution for salinity in sixteen priority Western Australian Wheatbelt towns. A key aim of the research is to ensure that water management options are tailored to meet the specific social, economic and environmental conditions of these towns. This report provides a 'user-friendly' methodology for social analysis as part of the Rural Towns: Liquid Assets project. It documents the methodology adopted for social analysis in the towns of Merredin, Moora, Tambellup and Wagin WA. The methodology can also be applied for other rural towns participating in the research. The social research process is described in detail from inception to report writing and providing feedback.