Comparative case study of suburb establishment in rapidly growing regions demonstrates the importance of technology assisted decision making in local governance

Abstract Urban planning is challenging especially rapidly developing areas, making it imperative for decision-makers to be transparent, fair, and data-driven. This study looks at how planning decisions are made in local government in Australia. It compares two cases in Wyndham City where communities asked for the creation of new suburbs. The research uses evidence from council records and voting outcomes. It shows how one vote changed the final decision in both cases. In one case, a vote went against what the community wanted. This finding shows how personal bias and poor judgment can appear in traditional systems of governance. The study finds that technology-assisted decision-making (TADM) can improve openness, fairness, and accountability. The use of new technologies can make decision-making more consistent and more based on evidence. It can also help reflect public views more accurately. The study concludes that TADM should become part of urban governance. It recommends more research and real-world testing to build systems that support fair and sustainable planning outcomes.