Two equally important and interrelated perspectives - social development and economic prosperity - drive an almost global endorsement of lifelong learning. However, this topic does not appear to be a focus of serious policy attention in Australia. Despite this lack of attention, some Australian communities have responded to the potential offered through lifelong learning, unilaterally developing their own locally based responses. This article reports on the first steps taken, to build a community culture which values and supports lifelong learning, in one Australian city. Preliminary work, instigated by a multi-sectoral working group, focused on a learning communities literature review, profile and audit. These provided a basis for a lifelong learning gap analysis. The main discussion focuses on results from the gap analysis, including identified key actions, and the need for better understanding and articulation of the contribution of community-based learning to social development and economic prosperity in Ipswich. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
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