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Case studies fact-check

Source: docs/website_content/case_studies_fact_check.csv · Rendered 2026-05-09

Case Study	Claim in Proposal	Truth/Reality	Verdict (Debunked/Misapplied/Confirmed)	Source Citations
Alexandra pub, Haringey	ACV listing or status prevents redevelopment into family housing or conversion to residential use.	The property was removed from the Asset of Community Value (ACV) list following a successful planning appeal for conversion to two dwellings. The grant of planning permission meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of community use.	Debunked	[1], [2]
ANM's Light Weight Coated Paper Project (1990)	Specific large-scale paper projects cause significant disruption to social infrastructure such as health and education.	Social impact analysis concluded it was unlikely the community would experience significant negative effects. Advantages of increased population were expected to offset disadvantages.	Debunked	[3]
Cardigan Arms, Leeds	A community-led crowdfunding project to acquire the asset was successful.	Source material explicitly describes this as a failed project to acquire the Cardigan Arms in Leeds.	Debunked	[1]
Cross Keys public house (Henley-on-Thames)	Viable for future community use despite being closed.	An appeal was successful in removing the property from the ACV list because the business was not financially viable and there was no local support to run it as a community pub.	Debunked	[2]
Musselboro Creek Water Quality Trial	Forest harvesting significantly increases turbidity and degrades water values in catchments.	Preliminary analysis showed negative impacts of logging are low on average when the logged area is small (10% of total). Maximum turbidity downstream of agricultural areas was four times higher than at the forest site.	Debunked	[3]
Norman and Dann (Liquor Licensing)	A chocolate shop successfully gaining a special liquor licence to support local distillers and tourism.	The application for a special licence at Salamanca Place was refused by the Commissioner for Licensing in September 2025. The decision noted that adding liquor to retail collateral is not in the community's best interest.	Debunked	[4]
Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity (2002 Drought)	Regional agricultural economies suffer uniform decline during national droughts.	During the 2002 drought, Tasmania's GSP was estimated to increase by 0.3% because it benefited from higher agricultural prices without the same contractions in output seen in mainland states.	Debunked	[5]
The Centurion pub, Chester	Listing would prevent a sale to a developer for conversion to a care home.	The sale agreement was entered into before the listing. Under section 96(4), the disposal is treated as occurring when the agreement became binding, meaning moratorium provisions did not apply.	Debunked	[1]
The Crown (Birmingham)	A historic pub (also referred to as The Old Crown) saved and reopened through community funding as an inclusive venue for music and performance.	While £300,000 was allocated from the Community Ownership Fund in 2023, an announcement in February 2024 confirmed the site could not be secured due to high-value transaction requirements and funding retractions.	Debunked	[6], [7], [8], [9]
Tumbledown pub (McDonalds purchase)	Listing would revert the property to community pub use.	A judge ruled there was no realistic prospect of reversion because McDonalds acquired the site and secured planning permission for a restaurant prior to the appeal.	Debunked	[2]
Endenburg Elektrotechniek / Sociocracy	Historical governance example with high productivity; revolutionary method for managing organizations.	Gerard Endenburg developed the Sociocratic Circle-Organization Method (SCM) here starting in 1970. It serves as a primary success story. However, some internal registers mark this as requiring further verification or suggest it is misapplied in certain proposal contexts.	Confirmed / Misapplied	[6], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17]
George IV pub, Brixton	ACV listing protects the asset from conversion to a supermarket or loss to the community.	The pub was sold to a food retailer prior to listing and converted to a supermarket because, at the time, listing did not prevent changes of use under Permitted Development Rights.	Misapplied	[1], [2]
Hebden Bridge Fustian Manufacturing Co-operative Society	A successful nineteenth-century producer cooperative run for worker empowerment and self-employment.	While long-lived (1870–1918), workers were excluded from the management committee. Profits were weighted toward external investors and customer cooperatives, while worker bonuses were minimal and contested.	Misapplied	[18]
Hebden Bridge Trades Club	A joint union enterprise and socialist members club operating as a celebrated music venue and members' co-operative.	Built in 1924, it has been a socialist club since 1982 and formally constituted as a co-operative in 2016. However, it has faced investigations over accounting, and the building is owned by Labour Party nominees rather than the co-op itself.	Confirmed / Misapplied	[6], [19], [20], [21], [16], [22], [23], [24]
Helsham Inquiry - Tasmanian Forest Workers Taskforce's report (1987)	Withdrawal of resources would result in severe negative economic impacts on local communities like Deloraine, Kentish, and Huon.	The report detailed employment issues, but the Commission criticized these claims for failing to weigh the potential for forest-dependent industries to adapt to change.	Misapplied	[3]
Mondragon Corporation	Large-scale worker-owned cooperative federation used as a precedent for community ownership and resilience.	Confirmed as a massive federation of self-governing cooperatives with 70,000+ people and a 6:1 salary ratio. However, it is noted as not closely analogous to small-scale Tasmanian pubs and has recently seen the bankruptcy of Fagor and the exit of other major co-ops.	Confirmed / Misapplied	[25], [6], [10], [26], [27], [28], [16]
Oma Ethnic Group Textiles	Indigenous designs can be protected through standard intellectual property laws when commercialized by multinational brands.	In 2019, imitations were sold without credit or compensation. The community had no legal recourse because traditional expressions often lack conventional IP protection and fall into the public domain.	Misapplied	[29]
Pool Fencing Standards	Existing 1500mm high fencing is always satisfactory for identified hazards.	While satisfactory for hazards like busy roads, fencing for pools, spas, or jacuzzis must meet specific Australian Standards (AS 1926).	Misapplied	[30]
Tasmania Call Centres	The establishment of call centres was a sustainable source of high-skilled employment growth.	Call centres created 1,500 jobs during a slow growth period, but research identifies drawbacks including a restricted skills base and limited opportunities for promotion into other ICT sectors.	Misapplied	[5]
The Old Crown (Birmingham)	Community-owned pub with 400+ members and specific raise amounts.	This is a private commercial entity purchased by a family in 1991 and restored through private investment; it was never community-owned. It is often confused with 'The Crown' on Station Street.	Misapplied / Debunked	[6], [10], [16], [31], [32]
17-year-old Carer Ratio	A person aged 17 years can be included in the carer-to-child ratio.	This is possible only with written approval from the Secretary of the Department of Education and under strict supervision and training conditions.	Confirmed	[30]
Airbnb's Country Pub Project	Restoring five selected pubs across regional Australia to revitalise rural towns.	In 2019, Airbnb launched an initiative providing $50,000 grants for renovations and project management to five selected regional pubs to boost tourism.	Confirmed	[33]
Anglers Rest in Bamford	Model for community-owned pubs incorporating other services.	First community pub to be started; acquired by Bamford Community Society, incorporating a pub, café, and post office.	Confirmed	[2]
Basslink and Gas Pipeline Projects	Large-scale infrastructure projects raised Tasmania's investment levels and provided an economic stimulus.	Private investment increased substantially ($702M for Basslink). These projects provided an injection of income and employment, though investment volatility occurs when construction ends.	Confirmed	[5]
Better World Arts	Indigenous art co-operative uniting international handicrafts with Aboriginal artwork to create sustainable lives.	Operated for over two decades; pays monthly royalties to artists and is endorsed by the Fair Trade Association. It protects Indigenous Intellectual Property through a cross-cultural model.	Confirmed	[6], [10], [34], [35], [16], [36]
Birubi Art	Not in source	Birubi Art was penalized $2.3 million by the Federal Court of Australia in 2019 for selling fake Indigenous Australian art made in Indonesia as authentic.	Confirmed	[37], [38]
Bishops End pub (Bishops Blaize), Burdrop	Residential occupation prevents listing; unlawful use does not exclude a building from listing.	The owner's residential use was unlawful. The First-tier Tribunal held that 'used as a residence' must be interpreted as lawful use; thus, it was eventually listed in 2016.	Confirmed / Debunked	[1], [2]
Body Corporate Fresh Apartments v Vecchio Property Group	Not in source	A defect claim was dismissed because the body corporate failed to obtain a 75% special resolution. Controlling the voting process via retained lots was not deemed inherently unlawful.	Confirmed	[39]
Bulun Bulun v. R & T Textiles	Not in source	The court acknowledged communal ownership in copyright law, finding the artist had fiduciary obligations to the Ganalbingu community regarding ritual imagery.	Confirmed	[38]
Chesham Arms pub	ACV listing could result in the pub reopening if planning for flats was refused.	Reopening was considered a realistic possibility by the court; the pub was one of the first to be relisted as an ACV.	Confirmed	[2]
Climate Council	Launched as an independent organization via crowdfunding, raising $1 million in its first week.	The council raised $1 million in its first week in September 2013 and received over $2.1 million from 16,000 donors in the 2014 financial year.	Confirmed	[37]
Community Association DP No 270180 v Arrow Asset Management Pty Ltd	Not in source	The court found a developer is in a fiduciary relationship with the body corporate and ruled a 10-year management agreement with excessive remuneration was unusual.	Confirmed	[39]
Community-Owned Pubs (London: Carshalton, Nunhead, Tottenham)	COPs foster social capital and urban regeneration.	Research on The Hope, The Ivy House, and The Antwerp Arms shows these venues preserved history, created bonding and bridging capital, and led to a rise in local property values.	Confirmed	[40]
Coonooer Bridge Windfarm	Delivers best-practice benefit sharing through a co-ownership model.	Neighbors were offered free shares (3.5% stake) and a Community Grant Fund where they vote on allocations. A Community Board Observer has full access to board info.	Confirmed	[41]
Copper Mines of Tasmania Project - Opening of Mt Lyell (1995)	Mining project re-openings significantly impact social and community issues in Queenstown and Strahan.	The study highlighted high dependence on mining and negative impacts from previous closures, confirming that local future scenarios were tied to the project.	Confirmed	[3]
Crauford Arms, Maidenhead	Operating successfully as a community pub.	Reported as operating ahead of its financial and social targets as a community pub.	Confirmed	[2]
Earthworker Co-operative	Manufacturing co-op using worker-ownership and sociocratic governance for a clean energy future.	Based in Morwell, this social enterprise (Eureka's Future Workers' Cooperative Ltd) manufactures solar hot water systems and operates on a solidarity economy model.	Confirmed	[6], [10], [42], [43], [16], [44], [45], [46]
Enspiral Network	Decentralized network of social entrepreneurs using digital tools like Loomio and Cobudget for coordination.	Founded in 2010, it is an open value network of professionals who contribute income to a common pool. It uses consent-based decision-making and acts as a limited liability company with a charitable constitution.	Confirmed	[47], [6], [10], [48], [49], [50], [51], [16], [52]
Esperance and Spring Bay (Hoysted and McCuaig, 1993)	Significant local community social and economic impacts result from the export woodchip industry.	In Esperance, jobs were redistributed, maintaining cohesion. In Spring Bay, it created jobs and stabilized age structures, though newcomers expressed environmental concerns.	Confirmed	[3]
FC United	A community owned football club in Manchester that raised £2 million in 2009 to acquire its ground.	Formed in 2005; in 2009 it launched a community share offer that successfully raised £2 million for the acquisition of the club and ground.	Confirmed	[37]
Hepburn Community Wind Farm	A distributing co-operative that constructed a wind farm using substantial share capital.	Raised approximately $9 million to construct the farm; notable for successfully raising capital despite not yet paying a dividend.	Confirmed	[37]
Hopsters Cooperative Brewery	A new co-operative enterprise attracting members to a craft beer enterprise in Sydney.	Members own and craft beer, using the co-operative legal entity to raise funds across the community.	Confirmed	[37]
Hydro Tasmania's pumped hydro assessment	Utilises an early-stage social and environmental risk assessment to identify site feasibility.	Uses an 'Integrated Business Risk Management' process with multi-criteria analysis. Sites exceeding risk thresholds are excluded early, regardless of technical favorability.	Confirmed	[41]
Ivy House pub, Nunhead	A community purchase can result in a viable, profitable business model.	The most prominent community purchase; announced in May 2017 that it was running profitably.	Confirmed	[1], [2]
Karadoc Solar Farm	Implementation of successful local employment and training programs in the Mildura community.	Employed over 200 locals, including 90 long-term unemployed and 38 Aboriginal people, through partnerships with local vocational organizations.	Confirmed	[41]
More than a Pub programme (Phase 1)	Successfully funds and supports community ownership of pubs in England.	Evaluation found success in rural areas with professional steering groups but failure in urban deprived areas due to lack of engagement.	Confirmed	[53]
Mothercraft Nursing	A Mothercraft Nursing qualification can be recognized as an 'approved qualification'.	Maintains qualified status provided the person has not had a break from the child care profession for more than five years.	Confirmed	[30]
Newton Management Pty Ltd v Owners of Strata Plan 67219	Not in source	A developer representative appointed a manager for 3 months with a clause forcing the body corporate into perpetual 5-year renewals unless the manager defaulted.	Confirmed	[39]
Owners Corporation 1 Plan No. PS440878V v Dual Homes Victoria Pty Ltd	Not in source	A motion to sue for defects was defeated because the developer used its votes and proxies to block a special resolution, rendering the body corporate dysfunctional.	Confirmed	[39]
Palm Springs Residences [39] QBCCMCmr 155	Not in source	The tribunal found insufficient evidence to overturn a developer's choice of an 'accommodation module' (allowing a 25-year contract) over a standard module.	Confirmed	[39]
Pingala Co-operative	A renewable energy co-operative that sold out its membership shares in 9 minutes.	Raised $17,500 through a community engagement event where shares sold out in 9 minutes without using a digital crowdfunding platform.	Confirmed	[37]
Plunkett UK community businesses	High survival rates for community-owned businesses.	Plunkett reports a 94% long-term survival rate and a 97.5% five-year success rate for the community-owned businesses it records.	Confirmed	[54], [16]
Rose Hill Tavern, Brighton	Could be operated on a not-for-profit community basis.	Following failed planning for luxury flats, it was sold to a community interest company and is now an independent artist-led venue.	Confirmed	[2]
Scarborough Beach Resort [39] QBCCMCmr 457	Not in source	An adjudicator ruled it was an unjust use of power for a developer to use powers of attorney to force the body corporate into a 10-year lease for the developer's benefit.	Confirmed	[39]
Sealaska Heritage Institute v. Neiman Marcus	Not in source	Sued for copyright infringement over a 'Ravenstail' knitted coat design; the court found the institute pled infringement, though it was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.	Confirmed	[38]
Social Impacts of Deferred Forest Assessments - Huon Valley (1995)	Reduced logging operations significantly affect local economies, employment, and community vitality.	Huon Valley communities were likely to be significantly affected, though growth in aquaculture and community cooperation were expected to cushion impacts.	Confirmed	[3]
Sociocracy (Gerard Endenburg)	A governance model based on self-organization, circles, and double-linking to provide participants a voice.	Developed using a family business as a laboratory, utilizing decision-making by consent. Hundreds of Dutch companies have adopted it for worker representation.	Confirmed	[55], [56]
Tasmania (renewal era)	Tasmania transitioned into a period of substantial economic growth in the 2000s.	Average annual growth rate of 3.7% since 2000-01 exceeded the national rate of 3.3%, driven by a virtuous circle of income, housing, and population growth.	Confirmed	[5]
Tasmania (underperformance era)	Tasmania was associated with a slow-growing, 'basket case' economy during the 1990s.	Economic data for the 1990s reveals a poor performing economy with real GSP growth averaging only 0.6% between 1995-96 and 2000-01.	Confirmed	[5]
Tasmania Together 2020	Effective leadership and strategic planning provided a foundation for economic recovery.	Collaborative process established a vision and 212 benchmarks. Research indicates it helped foster a positive business environment and win back financial confidence.	Confirmed	[5]
Teneriffe Hill Apartments [39] QBCCMCmr 322	Not in source	An adjudicator ruled it was an unreasonable conflict of interest for a developer to use majority voting power to prevent the body corporate from hiring legal counsel.	Confirmed	[39]
Tertiary qualification in education (primary)	A primary education degree is an approved qualification for child care positions.	Considered an approved qualification only for appointment to qualified positions where the person works exclusively with children aged three years or older.	Confirmed	[30]
UK Co-operative Pubs (The Old Crown Pub Co-operative)	Community share issues have saved important services like pubs across the UK.	CMS advised successful buyouts in places like Hesket Newmarket and Hudswell. The Old Crown Pub Co-operative is cited as a successful example of long-term preservation.	Confirmed	[57]
Unqualified Carer Approval	A service can appoint a carer without an approved qualification to a qualified position.	Yes, under specific conditions including undertaking training, progress reviews twice a year, and participation in mentorship programs.	Confirmed	[30]