Client: Northern Beaches Community Hub Project State: QLD AEC was engaged by Mackay Regional Council to provide a review of the options provided for the proposed Northern Beaches Community Hub. AEC conducted document research and options analysis of the proposed Hub then included recommendations with future steps.

Client: City of Sydney State: NSW The City of Sydney was investigating implementing an affordable housing scheme to apply to land within the local area, not currently subject to an existing affordable housing scheme. An additional contribution requirement on sites that are subject of changes to the planning controls was also being considered. AEC was commissioned to assist the City of Sydney understand the viability of implementing these affordable housing requirements on development, in addition to how these contributions and resultant affordable housing outcomes compare with targets envisaged in the draft District Plan. AEC undertook profiling of the precincts and generic feasibility testing to examine the financial impacts to development following the inclusion of a ‘standard’ affordable housing levy and potential for a ‘site-specific’ levy, followed by a generic assessment of development tolerance and comparison of affordable housing outcomes with the draft District Plan proposed targets. This led to the identification of: An appropriate contributions rate to apply in residual areas of the city as well as the ‘site specific levy’ Affordable housing outcomes from the contributions rate, site specific levy and affordable housing targets Implications for competitiveness and investment following implementation of an affordable housing contribution requirement.

January saw the global launch of the Venum Nutrition brand and product line in Los Angeles. Venum's fightgear clothing brand already is an established global product, and the Venum Nutrition line will now complete the brand with specifically designed nutrition products for athletes and competition fighters in mind. AEC Creative Director, Lyndon Berresford said "Working closely with the company to develop the brand and product was challenging, but a very exciting project. It truly was a team effort on a global scale as we were working with Venum's headquarters in Paris, the manufactures in America, as well as distributors in China and other regions of Asia. There is a huge global market for nutritional products so we had to make the packaging stand out on the shelves, but also compliment Venum's existing brand. Not only did it have to look fantastic but the packaging had to meet all United States and international regulations which was probably the biggest challenge." AEC designed and developed over 20 nutrition product brands and packaging for Venum Nutrition, with further brand development including creation of a global advertising campaign with some of the industries top athletes and merchandising displays, as the product was rolled out globally. "Only a few weeks in and we are starting to see the brand pop up all over the world. From photoshoots on Venice Beach, California to magazines in Europe, it is all pretty exciting. This brand is all about winning, so this integrated approach to delivering this type of project is what makes AEC market leaders in this area." Lyndon said. Should you require assistance regarding any aspect of your companyís branding, or commercial design requirements, please contact Lyndon Berresford, Creative Director, on (07) 4771 5550 or lyndon.berresford@aecgroupltd.com.

Client: NSW Department of Primary Industries State: NSW AEC recently undertook online survey with private landholders on behalf of the Game Licensing Unit (GLU). The Illegal Hunting Trends survey gathered primary data to assist GLU better understand the illegal hunting trends on private land. A quantitative online survey methodology was engaged, with a total sample of 661 landholders aged 18 years and over. The online survey was scripted and hosted by AEC and the weblink to the survey was promoted by DPI/GLU.

Client: Transport for NSW State: NSW AEC was engaged by CM+ to prepare a Development Appraisal to identify the land use and development options and examine the development feasibility implications for residual lands at Campsie and Punchbowl. This appraisal is a part of broader investigations by Sydney Metro into the viability of RCD along the metro line. AEC also prepared an additional Development Appraisal to provide market advice on potential uses that will optimise the residual air space and carried out a financial appraisal of the preferred concept option(s). AEC worked with CM+, TfNSW and its other consultants to investigate suitable land uses for the RCD sites and evaluate concept development schemes.

Client: Northern Territory Government State: NT AEC was engaged by the Northern Territory Department of Trade, Business and Innovation to identify the opportunities for expanding the superyacht sector in the Northern Territory and the required infrastructure and skills development programs required to do this. This project involved an assessment of the potential options for the development of the sector, and the development of a high-level business case for the potential investment in new services and/or infrastructure. The project ultimately demonstrated the potential of the Northern Territory to establish a superyacht industry servicing hub, providing an outline of infrastructure/service gaps, capital costs, activities and policy setting required to support growth in the sector that ties with the National Superyacht Development Strategy. Further it provided analysis to support private sector and public sector investment in the superyacht industry, which would in turn create jobs and support economic/ industry development within the Territory.

On Thursday 9 June 2016, the Logan City Council was awarded the Parks & Leisure Australia (QLD) Award of Excellence for Research Project for the 'Active Logan Participation Study'. The award acknowledges outstanding research achievement by a group, who have made a significant contribution to the parks and leisure industry through expanded knowledge enhancement promoting the benefits or importance of the parks and leisure sector in Australian society. The PLA Award of Excellence, is great recognition of the calibre and expertise of the Logan City Council leading the way in Local Government through the development and delivery of this innovative research project. The award is also a great recognition of AEC’s hard work and ingenuity in developing research methodologies which are innovative and original, are of best practice within the industry, are sustainable, are measurable and achieve objectives. Logan City Council commissioned the research to assess sport, recreation and physical activity participation levels across residents in the City. The findings from the research were to inform priority areas and aspirational participation targets outlined within Council's 15 year Active Logan Strategy. The strategy would ensure infrastructure and programs meet community needs and increase participation. AEC utilised a custom-made approach and expanded the methodology to include a mixed-mode survey approach to cater to the diverse demographic profile of the Logan City Council. The first approach was to utilise telephone surveys as well as face-to-face and online surveys to ensure a representative sampling of the population and to ensure results were statistically valid. We also utilised social media to promote the survey and expand our reach to the target audience. The next step was to further validate the quantitative survey results by undertaking in-depth consultations with key selected stakeholders and focus group sessions with key community groups to investigate in greater detail and refine the views and opinions of residents regarding sports and recreation activities, the key motivators for and barriers towards participation in sports and recreation activities. We then went one step further and ensured AEC’s approach was carefully crafted for comparative analysis with pre-existing national studies. Our goal was to provide additional context to the findings by benchmarking the survey results against nationally available data on sport, recreation and physical activity participation levels. The findings of the 'Active Logan Participation Study' provides the Council with critical insight into the levels and drivers for participation in sport, recreation and physical activity by Logan residents. The innovative and award winning 'Active Logan Participation Study' is a key component in informing Council with its development of a long‐term vision ‐ being the Active Logan Strategy. The study is now running for the national Parks & Leisure Australia Award of Excellence for Research Project to be announced in September 2016….stay tuned!

AEC is delighted to have worked with the project team on the Parramatta Light Rail in delivering integrated land use planning advice on this $1 billion project. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian unveiled the project’s preferred route to service 16 proposed stops from Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD. The Parramatta Light Rail is set to transform the transport needs of people living in Western Sydney. Construction on the first stage is scheduled to begin next year and is expected to open in 2023. Full details on the announcement can be seen at: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/parramatta-light-rail-route-revealed-but-olympic-park-not-included-20170217-guff06.html

Client: Port Authority NSW State: NSW Port Authority of New South Wales, together with New South Wales Treasury, commissioned AEC to undertake intercept surveys with cruise ship passengers and crew at White Bay Terminal and Overseas Passenger Terminal during the 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20 peak cruise tourism season. The purpose the study was to assist in defining future considerations in port development opportunities by exploring passenger and crew perceptions and attitudes across key travel factors, defining drivers and key considerations of travelling via Sydney, ascertaining passenger satisfaction and evaluating expenditure to identify drivers influencing spend. Over 7,000 intercept surveys were captured from passengers and crew members across the two terminals.

AEC’s Corporate Strategy is built upon confidential and nimble negotiation and planning. The vast majority of our work is commercial in confidence and if you would like to speak with one of our talented team members please contact reception@aecgroupltd.com.

Client: Local Government Association of Queensland State: QLD AEC continued to work with the LGAQ in updating the performance indicator benchmarks for Queensland Local Governments within the 'Ready.Set.Go.' online benchmarking tool. The project involved sourcing all financial and non-financial information underlying each performance indicator, in addition to auditing the accuracy of underlying information.

Client: North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation State: QLD AEC were previously engaged by North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) in 2015 to prepare an Industrial Lands Demand Study for the Port of Mackay. However, given the significantly changed market dynamic, NQBP engaged recently AEC to provide an updated report. Aspects of the demand study included: Regional economic profile and outlook. Analysis of Mackay’s current industrial land supply and projected future land demand. Consideration of major projects with the potential to impact industrial land demand. Engagement with estate agents and industry stakeholders to understand key trends in the market. Demand projections and future recommendations for action. The findings of the analysis will be used by NQBP to support future decision making regarding their industrial precinct.